Are young people being deprived of careers advice?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/19/sad-society-young-riots

Please see Article above about how our current government isn't investing in our youth of today. As an adviser it is really refreshing to read a article which is supporting the need for careers advice. The section I have cited below describes exactly what I myself observed in my last job.

"Connexions, the service that picks up the lost and gives careers advice to all is cut to shreds: over 30% cut already, professionals replaced with cheaper staff. Just when young people most need help on what school subjects to take, on BTecs, HNDs and apprenticeships, the government is replacing careers advice with an online service, with no one to question their choices and prod them forwards." (Tonybee) 

As I have mentioned in my other posts many certain boroughs with connexions service have already been replaced by online services in order to save funds. The need for e-guidance is important especially to the generation of young people we have today. However it doesn't take away from the one to one advice we can give to a young person and sometimes the assurance we can give to them and their parents also.

I think the focus of this article is about showing how opportunities aren't as easy as used to be. Competition for places on apprenticeship schemes and university places is higher then ever. It seems there are still opportunities for young people to gain careers advice i.e Internet, workshops etc. However the closure of services like connexions and cutbacks on sessions with actual advisers in schools and colleges could still be depriving some young on having the opportunity to talk to someone impartial so maybe some young people are going to miss out. However they should still be given a choice to decide if they want to see an adviser or not shouldn't they.

Does even more higher education guarantee you a job?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/feb/15/masters-postgraduate-guide - see article

The article above highlights some of the key points of going on to a Postgraduate or Masters after a degree. Question is how many people are willing to take the time and energy to look into all the fantastic postgradute courses that universities have to offer!! I say this because many postgrad and master courses are sometimes vocation driven i.e accountacy, teaching etc. With such courses the majority of students will know what the basic light at the end of the tunnel is.

When I have spoken to people about why they pursued further education after there degree the answer was always different. Some people did it for the further fincaincal gain others were motivated by doing something uniquely different to their current background and many just wanted that all important and essential work experience. I myself have done a postgrad graduate and although I enjoyed it I think I fit into the last category. Which is a debate I have discussed before in my other posts. I was lucky enough to obtain employment after my postgrad because of my work experience ironically the qualification I had achieved didn't seem that important because most of the people I had worked with had worked through a more vocational route. This made me think umm I have spend quite alot on that course was it really worth it. For me the answer is still yes because I learned alot about myself and helped me grown professionally. However if you find out after all your hard work there are easier routes that doesn't seem fair does it!!

Also when you talk to alot of young people the idea of even more study after the degree sometimes seems daunting to them. The costs of these courses have put some people off along with the additional years of study. If some people get a job straight after their degree and are able to have a regular wage they are happy with this and feel the idea of going back to university will be a waste of their time. Part-time courses have made things so much more flexible for parents who study and the increase of popular courses like MBAs seemed to be raising at one point.

A Masters, Postgrad or PhD all have merits and are all credible qualification but sometimes it seems like value has been eroded. I say this because, yes people are still opting to do such courses but at the end of the day people are looking for ways to enter the workforce. The experience you obtain from such higher courses can be essential and sometimes unique to employers but how many students are not willing to invest extra time into this. Alot of people I spoke to previously are put off by the cost of these courses. Yes they are expensive and with graduate loans looming over people's heads doing a further course just seems like the last thing on someones mind. There are bursaries for postgraduate courses but the key to knowing about this is important and if you don't know you lose out right.

So does even more higher education guarantee you job? Yes it probably will to do some extent but it must be remembered this isn't a route for everyone as discussed above. Also even if you have further qualifications it doesn't guarantee you are more employable either. You need to have the right skills to do a job and that isn't always something you can learn from a academic qualification, that is something you learn through life. experience :)!!

Film studies degree info!!

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/jul/08/film-studies-degree

Please see article above this is a really good source of information for anyone who is interested in the film industry. It breaks down further study after your degree postgrad etc if you want to it!! As well as useful stats at the bottom. If you know anyone interested in this sector please pass it on!!