70 Graduates for every one vacancy

My Story of the day is the research published today by the Association of Graduate Recruiters. The number of graduates applying for the same job is horrifying to say the least. What makes this worse is the continuing backlog of graduates- some as far as 2007, who are still trying to get jobs. The words lost generation, lost talent, and lost hopes are a great understatement.

It became apparent to me a few months ago, that the degree has been made less valuable it terms of the transition from education to employment. Before the degree was the elite academic achievement. It seemed much harder to achieve, and wasn't so accessible. Under the Labour government, either the degree has become standardised, or they have not provided enough graduate jobs to facilitate for the boom in university attendants.

It's also fair to say that recruiters, now have the upper hand when it comes to selecting who they want to work for their companies. They have always been in this position, but now they can take full advantage. I wasn't surprised to here that most companies seek a upper second class degree minimum from prospective employees. I had always thought this was the case- or so I was told before I began my studies. This is squeezing those who received 2:2's further away from the job market.

Whilst many people have said there views on this issue, there seems to be little notion of how to solve this huge problem. Graduates shouldn't have to change their careers as a result of factors beyond there control. Although as pointed out on a forum and in many newspapers- a degree shouldn't give graduates the right to employment. They need to work for it.

The situation as present is an extremely difficult one. But in an age of social media, technology and Internet its time for graduates to think of new and creative ways to set themselves apart from the competition. Its time to take chances, start businesses, as I still believe- they are the future.

Obama Sworn Again

President Obama was sworn in again the day after his historic Inauguration.

During the ceremony, he seemed to be talking over, and at the same time with the judge swearing him in. This lead to a repeat of the oath as it may be been alleged that he did not swear in the correct words in the correct order.

On his first day in office Obama had ordered for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, and has pledged to strike peace deals with several war-torn countries.