Thousands of young graduates across the UK are throwing flat, tasseled hats in the air whilst donning long black robes in celebration of their achievements this month. But with news reports showing that 270 graduates are fighting for every job available, does university just prolong the inevitable fate of unemployment that the credit-crunch graduates face?
The Game of Life: not only a description of what each of us are contenders in, but also a popular household board game that is begun by choosing a path. As we are presented with hundreds of path-taking decisions throughout life that could lead to better or worse outcomes, having just two to choose from in this game could be viewed as an easy luxury. So what will it be? Go to university or get a job?
Now in life, for some who could be deemed the lucky ones, this decision is made well in advance as they are sure of what it is their future holds. I myself fall into that category of knowing that university was the best option for me as it would lead to better prospects and enable me to study a specific area of interest. But with the possibility that anyone can enter into higher education nowadays, many acceptance letters are sent to people who are still unsure of what job is right for them so their application was written based on the social appeal of university and the avoidance of full-time work. Both of which are too good an opportunity to pass by, especially in the vulnerable, undecided mind of an 18-year-old.
But with the number of applicants rising each year and the amount of graduate positions decreasing along with the jobs that have been eradicated by the credit crunch, students and graduates are facing unemployment at the end of their degree as opposed to the £15,000 minimum salary that was promised.
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