What I Wish I'd Known: The Graduate Job Market Starts Before You Graduate
The best time to start applying for media graduate programmes was in your second year of university!
The reality of transitioning to work
As a recent Media and Communications graduate looking to establish myself in a new career, I'm finding the transition from university into the working world much harder than I anticipated.
While studying, I was focused on completing my degree, meeting deadlines and making the most of my university experience.
However, looking back, I wish more time had been spent preparing us for the realities of the job market and how to navigate the transition into our chosen industries and careers.
Being a mature student certainly had its benefits. I was organised, managed group projects, arrived on time and, of course, always had my packed lunch!
I understood the importance of communication, teamwork and taking responsibility. But what I wasn't prepared for was just how competitive the graduate job market would be, particularly within the media and creative industries.
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What I should have prioritised earlier
Looking back, there are several things I would have prioritised much earlier.
Networking, attending industry talks, visiting media and technology exhibitions, connecting with professionals and building a stronger LinkedIn presence. I now realise that your professional network and online presence are an important part of how you position yourself and stand out to recruiters and top companies.
One thing I hadn't fully appreciated was how early graduate programmes open.
By the time you reach your final year, some opportunities are already closing. University teaches you how to research, analyse and develop your academic thinking, but are we doing enough to teach students how to turn those skills into employment and are we providing the correct support and resources.
As I continue applying for opportunities and receiving another unsuccessful email notification, I can't help but question what I could have done differently. Could I have prepared better? Should I have been more strategic about building industry connections? Or are there wider cultural and structural barriers within the creative industries that are beyond my individual control?
Access and structural barriers in media
There is also a bigger conversation to be had about access and opportunity. We often talk about diversity, inclusion and representation within the media, but how much attention is given to the structures that determine who actually gets through the door? Having the qualifications, passion and transferable skills does not necessarily mean you have equal access to the same opportunities.
It brings me back to the question of cultural hegemony and how established systems influence who has access to power, influence and opportunity. As Stuart Hall explored, cultural power is continually negotiated through the creation of new cultural orders.
Perhaps the question isn't simply what I could have done differently, but whether universities and the creative industries are doing enough to prepare and support the next generation of talents and creatives.
One thing I know now is that graduating is only the beginning. I just wish someone had told me that the preparation needed to start much earlier.
