Your foundation degree, what next?: Getting a job

Foundation degrees are highly vocational and most graduates seek a job that is closely related to their subject. However, with a good set of transferable skills, it may be possible for you to find work in other sectors...

Can I get a graduate job?

If employers ask for a general degree or specifically seek a graduate, it may well be worth applying, particularly if you are ready to sell the benefits of your qualification. You could also contact the employer to explain what qualifications you have and to ask whether you could be considered for the role to find out if it is worthwhile to make an application.

However, it is probably not worth applying for jobs where the advertisement states that a good honours degree is required. Employers often use such requirements as a way of sifting out a large number of applicants. If your desired role does require an honours degree, you may want to consider undertaking additional qualifications. For more information, see further study.

How can I increase my chances of getting a job?

It is rare for anybody to get a job on the basis of a qualification alone and experience often counts for more. Employers are increasingly seeking an array of employability skills as well as academic qualifications in their candidates. Consider the vocational aspect of your degree, which can be attractive to employers, as well as any work experience that you may have. This could include paid jobs, voluntary work, internships or work shadowing. 

Where can I find a job?

You may know your chosen industry well or may need to research new opportunities. Sources of information include:

• Directory of Sector Skills Councils
• your careers service;
• local and national newspapers;
• professional journals and bodies;
• employer literature.

Although it is important to look at vacancy sources, research shows that a large amount of jobs are never advertised. Alternative ways of finding or creating opportunities include:

• internal promotion;
• networking;
• direct and speculative approaches;
• personal contacts.

Alternatively, if you are working while studying you may have options related to your current employment. Try to discuss what might be available with your employer.

For a list of employers and job opportunities, see graduate employers and search for job vacancies.

Can I change careers?

The possession of transferable skills is likely to mean that you have more options than you think, should you want to move beyond your current position or the industry you have trained in. Start by listing your general skills and look at the different areas they can be applied in. Then focus on what other specialist skills you may need for your intended destination and how you might be able to get them, e.g. through work experience or further study.

For alternative career suggestions, take a look at what jobs would suit me? (login required) and options with your subject.

AGCAS

Written by Emma Bumpus and AGCAS editors

Date: 

May 2011

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