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The respondent to this survey is Lang who is from a White British background.
| What qualifications did you hold prior to starting university? | Before I started at Sheffield University I already had a BA from Exeter. Prior to that I had A-Levels |
| What was the name of your course? | Archaeology & Prehistory |
| While at university have you worked part-time? | No |
| While at university have you performed any voluntary work? | Yes |
| While at university have you undertake any work experience? | Yes |
| Please give details of your experience? | During the holidays I was able to undertake these tasks. There were too few places related to my field of interest in the locality to undertake part time work or a placement around my course. Therefore I had to undertake this work in my holidays. |
| How useful did you find this work experience when it came to find a job after graduating? | Limited usefulness, I needed to continue volunteering etc for a substantial amount of time before I was able to get interviews for jobs in a related field |
| What is your status? | In full or part time employment |
| What is your job title? | Public Affairs Assistant |
| What responsibilities do you hold? | Looking after basic press administration. Publicity and the website |
| What do you enjoy the most about this job? | The website |
| What do you enjoy the least? | The enormously high levels of basic administration that are unrelated to the department. |
| What was involved in the recruitment process for this job? | Provision of my CV, followed by a few questions, an interview and checks with referees. |
| Do you feel you have a career plan? | Yes |
| If so, how does your current situation fit into this plan? | Basic professional experience |
| When did you start thinking about what you wanted to do after graduation? Thinking back did you leave enough time for this? | I didn't realise it would take me almost two years to get into an a related field, and have to survive on over one year of unpaid work - getting me further into debt. |
| Did you experience any difficulties when it came to finding work after graduation? If yes, please describe some of the problems you faced? | The dynamic in the sector had changed substantially during the period of my university study, the job prospects had notably reduced, the numbers studying had increased enormously, and the public funding had been slashed. |
| What do you wish you had known before you started applying for jobs? | I wish I had been aware that the dynamic had changed so drastically and that I would be likely to have to work for nothing to gain experience for such a lengthy period. I would also have liked to have known that I would only be likely to get paid £16,000 after 5 or 6 years working on £10,000 - £12,000 as a qualified archaeologist with a postgraduate qualification. You would have to live in the poverty bracket - and unless you have parents who can afford to support you this is not feasible. |
| What advice would you give to someone applying for jobs now? | Fully understand the dynamics of the sector if you are actually choosing the course on the basis of the fact you would like to pursue a career in the subject. |
| Would you have done anything differently while at university to prepare for your career? Please give details. | I wish I had had more opportunities to network, and easily undertake work experience rather than being obligated to undertake that work during my holidays - which compromised on the possibilities to organise temporary work, and further study to support my course work. |
| How do you feel your degree has prepared you for today's labour market? | It didn't |
| What impact did your course have on your career aspirations? | Directed into career path |
| Did you make use of the careers service at university? | No |
| If yes, please describe how you used the careers service. | It generally only seems to support those who want to work in mainstream jobs - and does not have facilities for those wanting to work in specialist sectors. |
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