Graduating students - What are your plans?

Thought this deserved its own thread.

Im graduating at the end of this yr, with a Finance and a Marketing degree. Im a realist so i know the job market isnt good, and not likely to get much better by then.

To those also graduating soon what are your plans? And why?

To those already in the workforce, any advice/opinions?

graduating mid year, three subjects left in a finance major at UniMelb.

currently in the process of starting my grad applications now for the I-Banks and brokers.

Not expecting to get any offers. If (when) my expectations are realized then I will be enrolling in a CFA and a PS146 (and maybe some programming courses (VBA, C++)) during what would be second semester.

If i get an offer i'll be selling my car and going to the states for 6 months.

I'm hoping to get into honours for 2010 and then continue with a postgraduate degree.
Trying to pick up a language in the mean-time

Although I won't be graduating until late 2010 I thought I'd come on and add my little piece here.

I'm studying a Bachelor of Business with a major in Finance and a minor in funds management. I've felt, through my own wisdom as well as talking to other people that obtaining a degree in ones chosen field is merely half the battle won.

I took it upon myself to gain relevant and comprehensive training and meaningful employment with market leaders in the field that my studies would be taking me. I spent from mid 07- to mid 08 working at Suncorp, and I spent nov 08 - jan 09 in corporate finance division at a large organisation, and have this week begun full time employment in personal lending at a big 4 bank. I feel that my years of finance experience coupled with a degree will put me a step above most graduates.

Indeed I hope to continue workingh for this company whom i started with potentially for the rest of my life. they are a great company with many avenues and lots of progression available. i spose i would like to ideally do their graduate course...

aaronphetamine said:

I feel that my years of finance experience coupled with a degree will put me a step above most graduates.

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If anyone is going to be a pessimist here, it’s me. I work in an industry that is in the press every day, colleagues and friends are losing their jobs almost every week and there is serious talk of the whole industry here being nationalised.

That said, the world will keep on turning and the reality is grads will be hired in most professions even during a recession. Just in fewer numbers. A large amount of work in most professions is low risk and repetitive work a moderately trained monkey could do. Why not monkeys you ask? Grads are probably cheaper…

Anyway, think about yourself as a product. How can you differentiate your product against the hundreds of others you will be competing with? First and foremost are grades. Grades are not a sign of your suitability for a job, but they’re an easy way to rule people out. They’ll generally get you past the first cut.

Next, look to get involved in things you can use to demonstrate your soft skills – public speaking, debating, charities, representative level sports etc etc. Everyone knows what student life is like (beer, parties, more beer). Show them you used at least some of your spare time to better yourself

Get to know your Lecturers / Professors and leverage their network of contacts. Good academics and educators have been around their industry for a while and the best ones will have an impressive range of contacts. Get involved in research projects and the like to build your rapport with these people and then angle them to recommend you to their friends in the industry.

Finally, get yourself into the best schools with an international reputation. Consider hanging around and doing post grad stuff for a year or so. But make it worth it and go to the schools with the best names (eg. In WA, go to UWA). Or even better, consider going abroad to the schools we’ve all heard of to further your education. Like it or not, there is a strong ‘Old Boys’ club that exists in the work place. Where I used to work in Perth, there were only 2 people in my graduate intake of 20 or so that did not attend UWA. Here, there is a similar level of discrimination for those that went to Oxford or Cambridge. Having these names on your resume, particularly the international ones, will put you well ahead of your peers when it comes to competing for work.

I finished my Economics degree last year and have this year to finish my bachelor of finance at ANU. Have also come to the realisation that my degree's are now worthless Worst of all is my grades aren't that fantastic (Credit average) so I don't have my hopes set to high...
However I also currently have a full time position in the public service (have been working in IT in the PS for the past 3 and a half years) and already earn 70k+ with lots of flexibility in letting me go part time during semester.
So at the moment I am trying to decide to drop my hours down at work to do full time uni and graduate this year and apply to do a graduate diploma of finance in 2010 or work more and do part time uni and just graduate in 2010 hoping things have slightly improved.

Ideally I want to work in finance industry, but another option I am considering is economic analysis positions within the public service.


Aaron, I think you are on the right track with gaining plenty of work experience in your field before you graduate. Unless you are getting straight HD's it seems that work experience is extremely important in the finance/commerce industry. I wish I had managed to get a job in finance rather then IT.

Robb, nice work with the job in IT. the wage your on while still at uni (and presumably young??) is nothing to be sneezed at.

Thanks for the kind words about my work experience in the field. I feel I just need to apply myself at uni now to do well in the courses, which will be a bit harder since im working fulltime, but in the end of the day that was my choice and i believe that me sacrificing HDs to credits and distinctions is a good trade considering my employment at a massive financial company and getting tier 1 and 2 training there and also earning a decent wage....

Prawn, do you work in the finance industry at the moment ? are you planning to apply for a graduate program or just enter the workforce straight up ? (if u didnt mind sharing - im just curious about fellow graduates thats all.

Thanks.

Aaron, can i ask how you managed to get those roles. I have been desperately trying to get experience in any type of finance firm, but have not had any luck so far

So my personal plans at this stage are to apply for as many grad roles as i can find, in both the marketing and finance arenas. Then i will see what i get offered, if any, and decide from there. If i dont get any good offers i will probably stay at uni and complete a Masters degree.

prawn_86 said:

So my personal plans at this stage are to apply for as many grad roles as i can find, in both the marketing and finance arenas. Then i will see what i get offered, if any, and decide from there. If i dont get any good offers i will probably stay at uni and complete a Masters degree.

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I find that the best way to get a job once graduating is to have one whilst at uni. That's how I got mine. And that's how most people in uni with jobs lined up got theirs. I'm in IT if you must know, getting paid a little less than the other guy (and not in the PS so probably not as secure).

However doing an engineering/business double degree kind of forces you to get a job. You can't graduate without one (i.e you won't meet their requirements). Then again I always hated university since I had a life outside it. I always thought it was holding me back, not pushing me forward.

aleckara said:

I find that the best way to get a job once graduating is to have one whilst at uni. That's how I got mine. And that's how most people in uni with jobs lined up got theirs. I'm in IT if you must know, getting paid a little less than the other guy (and not in the PS so probably not as secure).

However doing an engineering/business double degree kind of forces you to get a job. You can't graduate without one (i.e you won't meet their requirements). Then again I always hated university since I had a life outside it. I always thought it was holding me back, not pushing me forward.

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I have a casual job in a clerical role at the moment, but i dont really want to work for them when i graduate, and i havn't been able to find anyone willing to take someone without an already completed degree just for a couple days a week...

22/01/09

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applicant must be honest , reliable , flexible and fit into a size 8 skimpy outfit


please apply via the convent

prawn_86 said:

I have a casual job in a clerical role at the moment, but i dont really want to work for them when i graduate, and i havn't been able to find anyone willing to take someone without an already completed degree just for a couple days a week...

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not exactly easy in adelaide either i presume...i was lucky to get a cadetship in my property firm Jan 08 before the **** hit the fan, no cadetships or scholarships out of my course this year...was very lucky in hindsight

Just graduated this last semester past.

BSc in Computing.

Started in 2004, never let my studies get in the way of getting experience, and well worth it. Worked for the uni I just graduated from in high school after a good work experience stint, then a bit later after some menial jobs like Luna Park, an internet cafe, my own business, I got a 1 year thing at CSIRO 6 months full time 6 months part time and for the last 2.5 years I been working casual for Foxtel at 38/hr. If I did it full time (been offered) it would be $70-75k but I'm not greedy happy to work 1-2 days a week with occasional larger blocks of shifts for extra income. This avgs $40-46k/pa, plenty to pay the rent bills my bohemian lifestyle : and a bit for saving/investing.

I spend the other days researching various things, I guess including stocks and financials and such, DJing, gardening, and reading!

Never underestimate a menial job and frugality, take what you can get a job is a job! When the getting is good, I will always take free time over more money! Would prefer to save than work.

If you have just graduated and you are looking for a graduate position. All I can say is if you have your eyes on a certain position/industry or employer in mind. Dont just sit passively idle and accept a rejection letter or phone call. It is better to be pro-active yourself and go directly to the advertiser or their HR mob well-dressed and in person. Ask for the HR person or the person with whom you have been in contact. It is best to enquire yourself about how you can improve on your application in the future. It is all too easy for HR mobs or employers to dismiss your application via post or over the phone.

You will learn more about your own presentation and at the same time demonstrate eagerness and possibly respect from the hirer/employer.

Go for it!

JMO

I graduated with civil engineering degree in the end of 2007 when construction was peaking. I went straight to do PhD without working experience. Will be graduating in hopefully mid 2011 and HOPEFULLY by then economy has recovered or at least picking up. Am interested in doing some part time at some consultant firms, anyone has any suggestiong?

If you have just graduated and you are looking for a graduate position. All I can say is if you have your eyes on a certain position/industry or employer in mind.

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Yeah I agree 100% with that one. There are no excuses when trying for a job. I'm not in Uni yet but all ready have employment set up with a investment bank in Sydney, who've offered to sponsor my uni fees, and a stock broker or merchant bank in Melbourne. This is because I've got myself out there and shown them what I can do. I've got three things set up, as long as I finish off school well and get a good score I'm basically in the door.

You've got to be able to stand out from the crowd in your own way. These people interview guys all day and all night, they've got to be able to remember you. You better make a damn good impression. Myself, I've started investing young so I can build up a track record and show my interest on paper. I'm also very good at communicating and I think this is a big thing. You've got to be able to talk to people and make people like you. Some people can do it and some can't.

Good luck with the grad programs, I'm sure it will be tough because of the hellish financial environment. Nothing wrong with trying.

The going in in person and applying/asking for an application or where you went wrong is a good idea. I'll make sure i do that for all the roles in Adel i apply for.

Wondermann, sounds like you have done well for yourself. Care to share how you got this lined up so early? Is it on paper or verbal? I find it hard to imagine that a bank would say 'yes you can have a job in 5 - 6 years time...' (no offence intended)

Lets be more POSITIVE!!

Well this is my brothers story, he is 24, Bachelor of Business/Accounting - not the best university [doesnt really matter though]

no experience,

went to 2 jobs in the past month, offered both jobs, [1 public, 1 private]
1 year contract.

in brisbane.

[my father works in IR at a local council and they too have jobs going, business/engineering mostly]

so in brisbane atleast, i feel there is plently of work if you look hard enough. dont just blame the economy

prawn_86 said:

I find it hard to imagine that a bank would say 'yes you can have a job in 5 - 6 years time...' (no offence intended)

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More unbelievable that they will pay for his Uni fees. Private sector is a market, plenty of talented individuals. It's not the Public Sector looking at an education as a political goal.

Would also like to know how that would be lined up, and which IB or broker would actually do it? Having trading experience at a young age, won't make the slightest difference.