Dear 2020 Graduates: This Year Will Not Define Your Career

Dear 2020 Graduates… The world has been turned upside down by a once in a generation pandemic that has not only hit us hard economically, but changed every aspect of our daily lives. If you’re graduating this year, you may feel as if you have been dealt a rough hand. Things could look that way on the face of it, but your generation can use your unique set of circumstances to ensure you set the correct scene for your future. 

Health is wealth

First thing is first: I want to emphasise a key message to you all: things will be challenging in the short term. Millions of workers have been furloughed and entire sectors of the economy are only just emerging from shutdown. Governments have quite rightly put people’s health before their purses.

I know from decades of working in recruitment that in normal times, internships and graduate jobs offer distinctive opportunities to break into the workplace. They are applauded as a vital door opener for fresh faces and ideas. What’s talked about less is that they often play a part in teaching graduates which job doesn’t suit them, rather than which does. In my 30 years’ experience, I’ve lost count of the amount of times candidates' first two or three jobs after studying bear no resemblance to their eventual career.

Many of you will be pondering what you want to do in your working life. I have an example that is very close to home. My daughter, Jemma, graduated from UCL and did an Events Management job for 14 months which bore no relevance to the skills she gained on her course. Eventually, she got involved in the recruitment business like her father and realised it was more suited to her. She went on a journey of learning what she really wanted from the workplace, and so can you, even if you are finding a job hard to come by.

Research is key

Use your time wisely and research, research, research. It’s easy to say ‘I want to work in fashion’, but fashion is an extremely broad term. Delve deeper into the specifics - which part of the process do you see yourself and your skills matching up with? Industries are formed by different segments, many of which may not be suitable for you. Take a look at job specifications and see which percentage of what is required accounts for your style, personality and background. If it is a sufficient amount, look at the other aspects as a way to learn and grow in the prospective job.

Even if it takes until you’re in your mid 20s for activity to return to pre-pandemic levels, you could be in as good, if not a better place than your predecessors because of the time and effort you have put into researching your niche.

Identify courses

Countless sectors offer the opportunity of free courses to guarantee your skills are constantly being matured for their needs. Make sure you take up all that is on offer to you. It could save you invaluable time and save yourself from entering a role that doesn’t suit you. For instance, if fashion is your forte you may wish to delve deeper into the design process, rather than merchandising or patenting. Focus on specific roles and responsibilities.

Utilise social media

I wish I had 5% of the data available today when I was your age. Utilise this period and tools at your disposal to find out what kind of career really appeals to you. The current break in activity affords you a great opportunity to research industries, companies and relevant opportunities. 

 Identify those with experience in your chosen field via social media, engage with them and take on board their advice. It will give you a real insight to the nature of the job and will either put you off, or reinforce your view.

 Strengthen your position

 There is always more you can do to strengthen your position. Use my advice to avoid falling into the trap of your colleagues - a trap that means that it takes several roles for them to really find their suitable vocation. Make the most of the hand 2020 has dealt you, and set yourself up for the post-pandemic future