London out of favour with graduates
According to new research by milkround.com, the site that’s first for graduate careers, London is the least preferred destination for graduates.
Apparently the number of graduates who expect to find employment in London is down 11% from last year, to 60% for 2008. The number of graduates who dismiss London entirely, as a place where they’d work after finnishing their degree, has risen from 28% in 2007 to 34% this year.
If you ask me London’s a bit like Las Vegas and it’s just as adept as stealing your money. London underground and the casinos of Nevada are shockingly similar. After both, you stumble out of the dim wondering where your money’s gone.
It’s big and it’s expensive and when Russian oligarchs are being driven out of the property market by soaring prices you know something’s up. Mile for mile the tube is one of the most expensive journeys you’ll ever make, ever.
For me there’s just too much choice in this city; most of the time I feel like a kid in a sweet shop. Mind you, I do come from a place (Glasgow) where the underground costs a pound and only goes round in a circle. I can’t remember who said it (and neither can Google) but if you’re bored of London you’re bored of life. Actually, it’s more a case of “how the hell am I going to do it all without collapsing from nervous exhaustion and still make it into work for 9?”
When I told friends back home about my move to the big smoke their responses, once they’d overcome the devastation of course, were all about the money.
I know I’ll go back to the homeland after a few years just because, well it’s where I’m from and I’m sure lots of other graduates think the same. Everyone’s got to do it at least once: pitting yourself against the madness of the big city.
Afterwards, anywhere else will feel like a lush, oasis of tranquility where people live like kings.
Hi Chinwag, London is definitely a fantastic city to get your first job in. You can really learn about the world of business from one of the worlds financial powerhouses. The choice can be overwhelming in the beginning but soon graduates are getting just as fussy about where they eat lunch as the rest of us. The underground is definitely a great way to get around. Coming from Dublin, Ireland where public transport consists of about 4 rail lines and everything else by bus, I am constantly amazed at how efficient London’s public transport is. Can’t wait for the olympics I think it will transform the city.
Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
— Samuel Johnson 1777
Tired of Kirkcaldy, been there half an hour.
Thanks Harry. I know what you mean about Kircaldy. They’ve got a good swimming pool, mind.
Now I understand why all those people I know left Belfast - it wasn’t the unemployment and lack of interesting, fulfilling opportunities, it was the rubbish public transport system! That’s why I love London too. You can’t get me off that tube. I’m always on it. It’s just excellent.
Glasgow’s fine too though - I don’t remember any swimming pools but there were definitely a few good places for the dancin’. And a taxi home at 3 in the morning usually cost less than £5.
Anyway, less graduates here means more appreciation of the tube for the likes of us. What’s not to love?
I beg to differ with Milkround, we have recently run two graduate campaigns for an IT / Digital client in London looking for a developer and a customer support executive we have recieved over 1500 applications, with the number still rising. An incredible amount.
The best candidates accept the fact that if they want the best jobs then London is where it is happening.