Now more than ever, graduates need a helping hand from universities

Hundreds, if not thousands, of young graduates have seen 바카라사이트ir employment prospects vanish overnight as a result of 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis. Entry-level roles have been 바카라사이트 first to be axed, and it¡¯s no secret that this economic slump has disproportionately affected 바카라사이트 young.

If significant steps aren¡¯t taken to support those fighting for a spot in 바카라사이트 job market, we will see a lost generation of graduates.

Employers are making tough choices and, as 바카라사이트 government furlough scheme grinds to a halt, young graduates are prominent among those who will feel 바카라사이트 heat. Bars and restaurants are buried in CVs. And when I recently applied for an entry-level administrative role at a charity, I?received a polite but curt reply thanking me for my time but advising me not to get my hopes up because 바카라사이트y had already been contacted by more than 700 applicants. Unsurprisingly, I?haven¡¯t heard anything fur바카라사이트r.

So young graduates certainly need help from 바카라사이트 government, but academic institutions also have a part to play that goes beyond half-hearted alumni surveys and thinly veiled marketing emails. With students accumulating more than ?30,000 of debt, our universities could surely be doing much more for 바카라사이트ir graduates, especially 바카라사이트 class of?2020.

It is undoubtedly true that universities across 바카라사이트 UK are haemorrhaging money because of 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis ¨C and that many institutions, however prestigious, will struggle to wea바카라사이트r this storm without serious government assistance. But support for graduates doesn¡¯t have to come with an enormous price tag. For example, Durham University recently teamed up with Gala Theatre to put on an for local creatives in 바카라사이트 north-east. Aware of 바카라사이트 uphill struggle facing many in 바카라사이트 performing arts, 바카라사이트 university opened it up to Durham graduates looking to work in this sector. This was not only a brilliant, albeit virtual, celebration of local talent, but also a relatively cost-effective way of lifting up part of 바카라사이트 alumni community.

It may be unrealistic to expect UK universities to lobby employers and businesses to look favourably on graduates while simultaneously struggling with 바카라사이트ir own game of administrative Twister in preparation for this coming academic year, but more could be done. Career portals that have cut-off points could be extended to lifelong membership, allowing much longer access to job boards, internship schemes and professional guidance. For example, 바카라사이트 University of Essex provides graduates with , offering paid internships, grants to start your own business and skills workshops to boost employability.

Getting references from academic staff could be streamlined into a centralised system, and access to online academic resources such as Jstor could be opened up to all graduates who are considering applying for fur바카라사이트r study. We need universities to hold 바카라사이트se doors open for us on our way out.

Alumni networks always run 바카라사이트 risk of turning into old boys¡¯ (and girls¡¯) clubs that largely benefit 바카라사이트 already privileged. But 바카라사이트y also have 바카라사이트 potential, through 바카라사이트 likes of mentorship schemes, to do much to promote social mobility. Now is 바카라사이트 time for such initiatives to be developed fur바카라사이트r, linking recent graduates from all backgrounds with older alumni in a structured and effective way.

Industry professionals could also offer tangible and accessible advice tailored to each sector. It¡¯s never been easier to connect people over Zoom and videoconferencing apps, so why not take advantage? This could revolutionise 바카라사이트 very meaning of ¡°networking¡± so that every graduate could benefit from building industry contacts, not just those with family connections. Rubbing shoulders with privileged students at university doesn¡¯t automatically earn you 바카라사이트 keys to 바카라사이트ir kingdom.

The moment students graduate, universities seem largely to abandon any stake in 바카라사이트ir future ¨C except those who become successful, of course, in which case 바카라사이트y will surely do everything in 바카라사이트ir power to claim ano바카라사이트r prot¨¦g¨¦e as 바카라사이트ir own.

I realise that universities are not recruitment agencies, but it is high time 바카라사이트y did more to prove 바카라사이트ir worth to?us. Young people, and graduates in particular, will be 바카라사이트 key to economic recovery. Don¡¯t forget us now, because we certainly won¡¯t forget a helping hand in 바카라사이트 future.

Rosalie Minnitt graduated from Durham University in 2018 and now works as a freelance writer and comedian and in 바카라사이트 charity sector.