University of Manchester Careers Blog

Lots of new graduates move back home after they finish their course. In fact, the Office for National Statistics found that over the past 20 years, there has been a 46% increase in the number of 20-34 year olds living with their parents.

Some may wish to return home for financial reasons, to look for graduate work in their local areas, or because they want some security and space to figure out their next steps. Others may not have had a choice due to the pandemic, and left Manchester a lot sooner than they expected.

Regardless of the reason, there are several benefits to moving home after graduation. But don’t just take it from us! We caught up with English Literature and Spanish graduate, Zac, who returned to Torquay after finishing university in 2017, and now works as an entrepreneur, model and ambassador for a fashion collective in Birmingham, as well as for other brands such as Nespresso.  

Welcome, Zac! Thanks for catching up with us. When did you start to look for graduate jobs?

I started job searching towards the end of my final year, after having different experiences abroad as a teacher and in the production team for BBC Worldwide in Argentina. During my degree, I travelled a lot between my home and Manchester which was not ideal, but it put me in good postition for the present as I have to travel a lot.

Did you know throughout your degree that you wanted to return home after graduation?

It happened naturally. I spent time at home before finishing my finals and settled in better than I thought I would.

What’s your favourite thing about working as a graduate in your home region?

Well, I actually spend a lot of time travelling. My work as a model takes me to new places. Most recently I have been to Sri Lanka and Chester, which I never went to as a student. But the best thing about being back at home is being close to friends and family and having that instant connection and security.

I will soon own a house which is a big difference from 2 years ago when I started working here. I’m so used to renting now it seems like second nature. Torquay itself always throws up the unexpected and the beaches get better all the time. The region has some great parts which I look forward to exploring more in the coming years.

Have you encountered any challenges since moving home?

It’s good to be back, although I do miss the friendships I made at university. It is interesting to see how our careers have developed on LinkedIn!

It hasn’t all been plain sailing reconnecting with people though. Some family and friends have moved on, it takes a bit of getting used to.  

What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking about returning home after university to look for graduate work?

Use the Careers Service. They can help with CV building and there are lots of opportunities on their website too. Check out the career fairs to see if anything catches your eye. The corporate world is always on the look-out for fresh talent.

Remember, you can continue to use the Careers Service for two years after finishing your degree as a graduate. This means you continue to have access to careers guidance appointments via Skype or Zoom, application and CV advice via email, CareersLink and online employer events and workshops.