More than half of final year students lose jobs or internships during pandemic

Prospects reveals how the class of 2020 will be less prepared for work and face fewer career opportunities because of the pandemic

According to new research from Prospects on graduating into a pandemic, 29% of final year students have lost their jobs and 26% have lost their internships while 28% have had their graduate job offer deferred or rescinded.

In the survey of nearly 5,000 students and graduates by Prospects, the graduate careers and employability service that is now part of Jisc, job losses and fewer opportunities have left almost half (47%) of finalists now contemplating a postgraduate course and 29% are considering a career change.

Almost two-thirds of final year students now feel negative about their future careers. The majority reported that they are lacking in motivation (83%) and feel disconnected from employers (82%).

Their biggest concerns are that there will be fewer jobs, internships or apprenticeship opportunities in their chosen industries.

Conversely, 18% of university finalists are feeling positive about their career prospects, which was more evident in men (29%) than women (14%). Respondents commonly reported that the pandemic had given them more time to research their options and make plans.

The research also showed that final year students would like more information from employers, particularly around job opportunities or changes to the recruitment process as well as information on working from home.

While research by the Institute of Student Employers reported that the majority of its members have moved to online recruitment methods, 60% of finalists said they were worried about virtual interviews and assessment centres and 72% wanted help and advice.

As executive director of student services at Jisc, Jayne Rowley manages Prospects' services. She says: 'There is a serious problem brewing for this year's graduates. This is a critical time for finalists who should be developing their skills in part-time jobs and internships and we need to do everything we can to support them.

'Graduating in this pandemic may have taken many important opportunities away, but getting a career started is not insurmountable.

'We are all adapting to extraordinary circumstances and I think students would be amazed at how many valuable skills they are developing during lockdown, such as organisation, communication and resilience. Students may be supporting vulnerable people, shopping for neighbours, setting up a virtual group or sharing their talents online. My advice to students is to reflect on all of the positive things they are doing and use them to demonstrate their skills to employers.

'There is lots of advice and guidance for students and graduates on our website and don't forget university careers services, which are doing everything possible to support students and graduates during this difficult time.'

Prospects is supporting students and graduates with careers advice provided in collaboration with the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services at prospects.ac.uk

Media enquiries

Clare Tregaskis, c.tregaskis@prospects.ac.uk, 07792 429227

About Prospects

Prospects has worked at the heart of higher education for nearly 50 years. Following a merger with Jisc in May 2020, Prospects continues to collaborate with government, universities and employers to improve student and graduate career outcomes through information, guidance and opportunities including:

• Prospects.ac.uk - visited by 2.1 million students and graduates each month for advice, jobs, apprenticeships, internships and unique tools such as Career Planner and Job Match.
• The UK's official postgraduate course database
• Prospects Hedd - the UK's official degree verification and fraud services. Its degree fraud services are managed on behalf of the Office for Students.
• Prospects Luminate - a central resource for graduate labour market information and research such as What do graduates do?

About Jisc

Jisc's vision is for the UK to be the most digitally advanced education and research nation in the world. At its heart is the super-fast national research and education network, Janet, with built-in cyber security protection. Jisc also provides technology solutions for its members (colleges, universities and research centres) and customers (public sector bodies), helps members save time and money by negotiating sector-wide deals and provides advice and practical assistance on digital technology. Jisc is funded by the UK higher and further education and research funding bodies and member institutions.