First Year Attitudes to Work Survey 2014
The aims, plans and attitudes of first year undergraduates
We asked 1,500 first year undergraduates from a variety of academic disciplines about their plans for finding out about careers, the sectors that interest them and their awareness of the opportunities available. This is the only large scale career sector survey targeting first years only and, in addition, the responses can be cut by gender, pre-university education and domicile .
Created by Chris Phillips and Emma Newton
Information & Research, GTI Media, August 2014
Information in this presentation not to be reproduced or used without the consent of the writers which will normally be given
Facts and demographics• The survey was conducted online in May 2014• First year undergraduates only were invited to complete the
survey• We received 1,504 responses from over 70 different universities• 62% women, 38% men• 73% UK nationals, 17% international, 10% EU• 60% state educated, 17% privately educated, 23% educated
outside UK• 23% arts degrees, 17% management/business, 14 % law, 10%
social science, 36% science and engineering
Slide deck
• Combined findings (slide 4 onwards)
• Data Cut 1: Male v Female (slide 22)• Data Cut 2: State educated v privately educated v
educated outside UK (slide 41) • Data Cut 3: UK national v EU v international (slide
59)
School le
aver pro
grammes
Apprentice
ships
Part-time or d
istance
learn
ing progra
mmes
47 62 5914
25 1939 12 21
Before you came to university, how aware were you of the alternatives to taking a
degree?
Aware but not interested Aware and did considerUnaware
Science
and re
searc
hOth
er
Law (s
olicito
rs)
Public se
ctor
Engin
eering
Media
Accountan
cy an
d financial m
anag
ement
Law (b
arriste
rs)
Investm
ent ban
king a
nd investm
ent
IT and te
chnology
Mark
eting
Bankin
g and In
suran
ce
Man
agement c
onsulti
ng
Constructi
on and ci
vil engin
eering
Retail
Property
17%
11%9% 9% 9%
7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 4% 3% 3% 2% 1%
Which of the following sectors are you most interested in working in when you graduate?
Please choose ONE.
A job that is perceived as high status
A job that enables me to work outside the UK
A job with clear progression
A job leading to a recognised professional qualification
A job that is intellectually challenging
A job that benefits society and communities
A secure job
A very well-paid job
A job that really interests me
3%
3%
4%
4%
8%
9%
9%
11%
49%
What attracts you to a career in your chosen sector? Options ranked No. 1
3% 8%
28%
47%
14%
Are you on LinkedIn?
Yes, I actively engage in groups/discussion Yes, I’m just starting to join groups/discussionYes, I’ve got a profile but haven’t really used it No, I haven’t got round to it yetNo, I don’t see the point
54%
33%
12% 1%
How important to your chances of getting a graduate job is having good quality work experience/internships on your CV?
Vital Very Important Important Not Important
70%
59%
39%32%
24% 20%
Where do you go for information and advice on internships and work experience?
17%
34%
49%
Other than lecturers and speakers, do you know anybody working in your preferred sector who made you interested in a career there?
Yes, a family member Yes, someone other than family No
31%
36%
33%
Have you spoken to this person/people to get practical help in apply-ing for an internship or a job in this sector?
Yes, they were very helpful Yes, they gave me a little help No
Very confident
Confident
Fairly confident
Not very confident
Not confident at all
7%
15%
33%
37%
8%
If you are applying/have applied for internships/vacation programmes this year, how
confident are you in finding one?
Just the one
2-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
More than 20
4%
23%
32%
18%
9%
15%
How many applications do you think it will take you to land an internship/vacation programme?
38%
50%
12%
Are you happy with the opportunities offered to you on campus to meet employers?
Yes, I'm happy Fairly happy, but could be more No
From a very early age
At secondary school or college
In my last year at school/college
I haven't started planning yet
10%
32%
37%
21%
When did you start seriously thinking about and planning for your career after university?
The type of work on offer
The training and development offered
The reputation of the employer
The location
The starting salary
The people I meet at Fairs and during the recruitment process
75%
64%
52%
50%
48%
9%
What three factors did you/will you take into account when choosing an employer? Please choose the THREE that are most important to
you.
Has a diverse workforce
Takes responsibility for environmental issues
Works to support local communities
Has a charity fundraising scheme
29
25
24
14
48
47
51
48
23
28
25
38
How important is it that a prospective employer...
Vital Fairly ImportantIt wouldn't influence my decision
My work experience
My class of degree
My performance at interviews/assessment centres
My university
My personal skills
My extra-curricular experience
My A level/Scottish Highers points
My friends or family contacts
59%
44%
37%
28%
25%
11%
2%
1%
When it comes to applying for a graduate job, which TWO of the following factors do you think will be most important in getting you hired? (Please tick
TWO only)
Doing an internship
Having played an active or senior role in a club or society (eg sport, drama, debating…)
Having worked as a volunteer (eg in education, conserva-tion, in a charity shop)
Having had a part-time or summer job while studying (eg bar work, shop work)
Having undertaken independent travel overseas
78%
45%
37%
33%
7%
Which TWO of the following extra-curricular activities do you think might help you most to get a job when
you graduate? (Please tick TWO only)
Very confident
Confident
Fairly confident
Not very con-fident
Not confident at all
10%
23%
42%
22%
4%
How confident are you in getting a graduate job within six months of graduation?
Less than £15,000
£16,000 to £20,000
£21,000 to £25,000
£26,000 to £30,000
£31,000 to £40,000
£41,000 to £50,000
More than £50,000
13%
36%
30%
12%
7%
2%
1%
How much do you expect to earn in your first graduate job in terms of annual salary?
DATA CUT 1
Male v Female Undergraduate
Reta
il
Med
ia
Publ
ic se
ctor
Oth
er
Mar
ketin
g
Law
(bar
riste
rs)
Law
(sol
icito
rs)
Scie
nce
and
rese
arch
Man
agem
ent c
onsu
lting
Acco
unta
ncy
and
finan
cial m
an-
agem
ent
Prop
erty
Bank
ing
and
Insu
ranc
e
Cons
truc
tion
and
civil
engi
neer
ing
Inve
stm
ent b
anki
ng a
nd in
vest
men
t
Engi
neer
ing
IT a
nd te
chno
logy
10% 22% 23% 24% 29% 31% 32% 32% 33% 42% 42%62% 64% 64% 68% 70%
90% 78% 77% 76% 71% 69% 68% 68% 67% 58% 58%38% 36% 36% 32% 30%
Which of the following sectors are you most in-terested in working in when you graduate? Please
choose ONE.
Male Female
A job th
at rea
lly in
terest
s me
A very
well-paid
job
A job th
at ben
efits
socie
ty an
d communities
A secu
re job
A job th
at is i
ntellec
tually c
hallen
ging
A job w
ith cle
ar pro
gressi
on
A job le
ading t
o a rec
ognise
d profes
sional
qualificati
on
A job th
at en
ables
me t
o work
outside t
he UK
A job th
at is p
erceiv
ed as
high st
atus
45%
15%9% 8% 8% 4% 4% 3% 3%
51%
8% 8% 9% 9%4% 5% 3% 3%
What attracts you to a career in this sector? Op-tions ranked No. 1
Male Female
4%
10%
32%
43%
12%
2%
7%
26%
49%
16%
Are you on LinkedIn?
Male Female
Vital Very Important Important Not Important
55%
31%
13%
1%
54%
35%
11%
1%
How important to your chances of getting a graduate job is having good quality work exper-
ience/internships on your CV?
Male Female
27%
24%
15% 15%
10% 10%
30%
24%
17%
12%
9%7%
Where do you go for information and advice on internships and work experience?
Male Female
Yes, a family member Yes, someone other than family No
18%
37%
45%
16%
33%
51%
Other than lecturers and speakers, do you know anybody working in your preferred sector who
made you interested in a career there?
Male Female
Yes, they were very helpful Yes, they gave me a little help No
33%
36%
31%30%
36%34%
If so, have you spoken to this person/people to get practical help in applying for an internship
or a job in this sector?
Male Female
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
10%
18%
35%
31%
6%5%
13%
32%
41%
9%
If you are applying/have applied for in-ternships/vacation programmes this year,
how confident are you in finding one?
Male Female
Just the one 2-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 More than 20
5%
27%
31%
17%
6%
13%
3%
21%
32%
18%
11%
16%
How many applications do you think it will take you to land an internship/vacation programme?
Male Female
Yes, I'm happy Fairly happy, but could be more No
42%46%
11%
35%
52%
13%
Are you happy with the opportunities offered to you on campus to meet employers?
Male Female
From a very early age At secondary school or college
In my last year at school/college
I haven't started planning yet
8%
32%
42%
18%
11%
32%35%
22%
When did you start seriously thinking about and planning for your career after university?
Male Female
24%
19%16%
18%21%
3%
26%
14%17% 17%
22%
3%
What three factors did you/will you take into account when choosing an employer? Please choose the THREE
that are most important to you.
Male Female
Has a diverse workforce Takes responsibility for environmental issues
Works to support local communities
Has a charity fundraising scheme
34%
29%
25%
13%
31%
26% 27%
16%
How important is it that a prospective employer...Factors considered 'vital'
Male Female
My friends or family contacts
My A level/Scottish Highers points
My extra-curricular experience
My personal skills
My university
My performance at interviews/assessment centres
My class of degree
My work experience
1%
2%
5%
13%
16%
17%
20%
26%
1%
1%
5%
12%
12%
18%
22%
29%
When it comes to applying for a graduate job, which TWO of the following factors do you think will be most im-portant in getting you hired? (Please tick TWO only)
Female Male
41%
24%
16%14%
3%
37%
21%17%
21%
3%
Which TWO of the following extra-curricular activit-ies do you think might help you most to get a job
when you graduate? (Please tick TWO only)
Male Female
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
15%
30%
39%
14%
2%
7%
18%
43%
27%
6%
How confident are you in getting a graduate job within six months of graduation?
Male Female
Less than £15,000
£16,000 to £20,000
£21,000 to £25,000
£26,000 to £30,000
£31,000 to £40,000
£41,000 to £50,000
More than £50,000
9%
28%
32%
17%
9%
3% 2%
16%
40%
28%
9%
5%
1% 1%
How much do you expect to earn in your first graduate job in terms of annual salary?
Male Female
DATA CUT 2
State educated v Privately educated v Educated
abroad
Scien
ce an
d resea
rch
Public sec
torOther
Law (s
olicitors)
Media
Engin
eerin
g
Accountan
cy an
d financia
l man
agem
ent
Law (b
arrist
ers)
Marketi
ng
Investm
ent b
ankin
g and in
vestm
ent
IT an
d tech
nology
Bankin
g and In
suran
ce
Constructi
on and civ
il engin
eerin
g
Manag
emen
t consu
ltingReta
il
Propert
y
20%12% 11% 9% 8% 7% 7% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2%
12%
5% 10% 14%7% 6% 4% 7% 6% 10% 3% 6%
1% 4% 3%
13%
5%
13% 7%
6% 14%5% 5% 4% 4%
7% 5%4% 6% 1%
Which of the following sectors are you most interested in working in when you graduate? Please choose ONE.
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
A job th
at re
ally i
ntere
sts m
e
A secu
re jo
b
A very
well-paid
job
A job th
at benefits
socie
ty an
d communities
A job th
at is i
ntelle
ctuall
y chall
enging
A job w
ith cle
ar pro
gressi
on
A job le
ading t
o a re
cogn
ised pro
fessional
qualificati
on
A job th
at enab
les me to
work
outside th
e UK
A job th
at is p
erceive
d as high
statu
s
51%
10% 9% 9% 8%4% 4% 3% 2%
50%
8%13%
6%10%
2% 5% 3% 4%
42%
8%12% 10% 9% 6% 6% 3% 4%
What attracts you to a career in this sector? Options ranked No. 1
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Yes, I ac
tively
engage
in gr
oups/disc
ussion
Yes, I’m
just
starti
ng to jo
in groups/d
iscussi
on
Yes, I’ve
got a
profile but h
aven’t r
eally u
sed it
No, I hav
en’t got r
ound to it
yet
No, I don’t s
ee the point
2%7%
25%
50%
16%
3%10%
32%
41%
14%
3%
11%
33%
42%
10%
Are you on LinkedIn?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Vital Very Important Important Not Important
56%
31%
12%
1%
50%
34%
15%
2%
50%
38%
10%
1%
How important to your chances of getting a graduate job is having good quality work experience/internships
on your CV?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
To in
tern
et job sit
es like
targe
tjobs.c
o.uk
Specia
list publica
tions such
as TA
RGETjobs
To m
y cam
pus care
ers se
rvice
Universi
ty So
ciety
To m
y tuto
r
To m
y frie
nds and fa
mily
30%
13%
24%
7%10%
15%
25%
14%
24%
9% 9%
19%
28%
12%
24%
10% 10%
16%
Where do you go for information and advice on internships and work experience?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Yes, a family member Yes, someone other than family No
14%
33%
53%
22%
37%
41%
19%
39%42%
Other than lecturers and speakers, do you know anybody working in your preferred sector who made
you interested in a career there?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Yes, they were very helpful Yes, they gave me a little help No
30%
35% 35%35%
41%
24%
29%
36%34%
Have you spoken to this person/people to get prac-tical help in applying for an internship or a job in this
sector?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
5%
13%
31%
42%
9%8%
15%
38%
33%
7%
10%
19%
35%
28%
8%
If you are applying/have applied for internships/vaca-tion programmes this year, how confident are you in
finding one?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Just the one
2-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
More than 20
3%
20%
33%
19%
10%
16%
4%
26%
30%
18%
9%
14%
5%
29%
29%
15%
8%
14%
How many applications do you think it will take you to land an internship/vacation programme?
At a school or college outside the UK In the private or independent sector In the state sector
Yes, I'm happy Fairly happy, but could be more No
36%
52%
12%
40%
46%
14%
41%
47%
11%
Are you happy with the opportunities offered to you on campus to meet employers?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
From a
very
early a
ge
At seco
ndary sc
hool or c
ollege
In my l
ast ye
ar at
school/c
ollege
I hav
en't star
ted plan
ning yet
7%
32%37%
23%
11%
33%37%
20%17%
32%
38%
13%
When did you start seriously thinking about and planning for your career after university?
In the state sector In the private or independent sectorAt a school or college outside the UK
26%
16%18% 16%
21%
3%
26%
17%14%
19% 19%
4%
23%
17%14%
19%24%
3%
What three factors did you/will you take into account when choosing an employer? Please choose the THREE
that are most important to you.
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Has a diverse workforce Takes responsibility for environmental issues
Works to support local communities
Has a charity fundraising scheme
32%
26% 27%
14%
28%26% 27%
18%
32%29%
24%
14%
How important is it that a prospective employer...Factors considered Vital.
In the state sector In the private or independent sectorAt a school or college outside the UK
My friends or family contacts
My A level/Scottish Highers points
My extra-curricular experience
My personal skills
My university
My performance at interviews/assessment centres
My class of degree
My work experience
1%
1%
5%
11%
11%
18%
24%
30%
1%
1%
6%
12%
16%
20%
21%
24%
0%
1%
7%
16%
16%
17%
15%
27%
When it comes to applying for a graduate job, which TWO of the following factors do you think will be most important in getting you hired? (Please tick TWO only)
At a school or college outside the UK In the private or independent sector In the state sector
38%
23%19% 16%
3%
41%
26%
15% 15%
4%
40%
19% 19% 18%
4%
Which TWO of the following extra-curricular activities do you think might help you most to get a job when
you graduate? (Please tick TWO only)
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
7%
19%
43%
25%
5%
10%
24%
41%
22%
3%
16%
31%
36%
14%
3%
How confident are you in getting a graduate job within six months of graduation?
In the state sector In the private or independent sector At a school or college outside the UK
Less than £15,000
£16,000 to £20,000
£21,000 to £25,000
£26,000 to £30,000
£31,000 to £40,000
£41,000 to £50,000
More than £50,000
14%
37%
31%
12%
4%2%
0%
11%
37%
24%
10%13%
2% 3%
12%
32% 31%
13%
8%
2% 2%
How much do you expect to earn in your first graduate job in terms of annual salary?
In the state sector In the private or independent sectorAt a school or college outside the UK
DATA CUT 3
UK national v EU national v International student
Scien
ce an
d resea
rchOther
Public sec
tor
Law (s
olicitors)
Media
Engin
eerin
g
Accountan
cy an
d financia
l man
agem
ent
Law (b
arrist
ers)
Investm
ent b
ankin
g and in
vestm
ent
Marketi
ng
Bankin
g and In
suran
ce
IT an
d tech
nology
Constructi
on and civ
il engin
eerin
gReta
il
Manag
emen
t consu
lting
Propert
y
19%11% 11% 9% 8% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2%
16%
14%4% 7% 11%
6% 5% 3% 3% 1% 8% 11%3% 1% 6%
7%
11%
4%9% 2% 17%
6%6% 6% 5%
5%7%
4%2%
8%
Which of the following sectors are you most interested in working in when you graduate? Please choose ONE.
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
A job th
at re
ally i
ntere
sts m
e
A very
well-paid
job
A secu
re jo
b
A job th
at benefits
socie
ty an
d communities
A job th
at is i
ntelle
ctuall
y chall
enging
A job w
ith cle
ar pro
gressi
on
A job le
ading t
o a re
cogn
ised pro
fessional
qualificati
on
A job th
at enab
les me to
work
outside th
e UK
A job th
at is p
erceive
d as high
statu
s
52%
9% 9% 9% 8% 4% 4% 3% 2%
45%
13% 9% 6% 9%4% 6% 2% 6%
39%
15%9% 10% 7% 4% 7% 5% 4%
What attracts you to a career in this sector? Options ranked No. 1
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Yes, I ac
tively
engage
in gr
oups/disc
ussion
Yes, I’m
just
starti
ng to jo
in groups/d
iscussi
on
Yes, I’ve
got a
profile but h
aven’t r
eally u
sed it
No, I hav
en’t got r
ound to it
yet
No, I don’t s
ee the point
2%7%
26%
49%
15%
4%11%
29%
43%
12%
3%10%
38% 40%
10%
Are you on LinkedIn?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Vital Very Important Important Not Important
56%
32%
11%
1%
52%
33%
13%
1%
47%
37%
15%
1%
How important to your chances of getting a graduate job is having good quality work experience/intern-
ships on your CV?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
To in
tern
et job sit
es like
targe
tjobs.c
o.uk
Specia
list publica
tions such
as TA
RGETjobs
To m
y cam
pus care
ers se
rvice
Universi
ty So
ciety
To m
y tuto
r
To m
y frie
nds and fa
mily
30%
13%
24%
7% 10%16%
29%
13%
24%
7%10%
16%
26%
13%
23%
12%9%
17%
Where do you go for information and advice on internships and work experience?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Yes, a family member Yes, someone other than family No
15%
33%
52%
23%
38% 39%
20%
41% 39%
Other than lecturers and speakers, do you know anybody working in your preferred sector who made
you interested in a career there?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Yes, they were very helpful Yes, they gave me a little help No
32%
36%33%
26%
37% 37%
32%
38%
30%
Have you spoken to this person/people to get practical help in applying for an internship or a
job in this sector?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
6%
13%
31%
41%
9%7%
20%
32%
36%
5%
10%
19%
42%
24%
5%
If you are applying/have applied for internships/vacation programmes this year, how confident are
you in finding one?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Just the one
2-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
More than 20
3%
20%
34%
19%
10%
15%
6%
28%
27%
17%
9%
14%
5%
34%
26%
14%
6%
14%
How many applications do you think it will take you to land an internship/vacation programme?
International Student An EU national (i.e non UK) UK national
Yes, I'm happy Fairly happy, but could be more No
36%
52%
12%
42%
49%
10%
43% 44%
13%
Are you happy with the opportunities offered to you on campus to meet employers?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
From a
very
early a
ge
At seco
ndary sc
hool or c
ollege
In my l
ast ye
ar at
school/c
ollege
I hav
en't star
ted plan
ning yet
8%
32%36%
24%
15%
28%
44%
13%16%
33%39%
11%
When did you start seriously thinking about and planning for your career after university?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
26%
16% 18% 17%21%
3%
25%
18%14%
18%23%
2%
22%18%
15%19% 22%
4%
What three factors did you/will you take into account when choosing an employer? Please choose the
THREE that are most important to you.
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Has a d
iverse
workf
orce
Take
s resp
onsibilit
y for e
nvironmental
issues
Works
to su
pport local
communities
Has a c
harity
fundraisin
g sch
eme
31% 27% 28%
14%
33% 30%22%
14%
34%25% 25%
16%
How important is it that a prospective employer...Factors considered Vital.
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
My friends or family contacts
My A level/Scottish Highers points
My extra-curricular experience
My personal skills
My university
My performance at interviews/assessment centres
My class of degree
My work experience
1%
1%
5%
11%
12%
18%
23%
29%
0%
1%
5%
17%
15%
17%
15%
29%
1%
2%
7%
16%
17%
16%
17%
24%
When it comes to applying for a graduate job, which TWO of the following factors do you think will be most important in getting you hired? (Please tick TWO only)
International Student An EU national (i.e non UK) UK national
38%
23%19% 16%
3%
42%
18% 17% 19%
4%
41%
21% 17% 17%
4%
Which TWO of the following extra-curricular activities do you think might help you most to get a job when
you graduate? (Please tick TWO only)
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Very confident Confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not confident at all
8%
19%
43%
25%
5%
13%
35% 34%
15%
3%
14%
30%
40%
14%
2%
How confident are you in getting a graduate job within six months of graduation?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student
Less than £15,000
£16,000 to £20,000
£21,000 to £25,000
£26,000 to £30,000
£31,000 to £40,000
£41,000 to £50,000
More than £50,000
13%
37%
31%
12%
5%
2%0%
9%
41%
26%
14%
5%
1%4%
15%
28%26%
13% 13%
1%4%
How much do you expect to earn in your first graduate job in terms of annual salary?
UK national An EU national (i.e non UK) International Student