University of Manchester Careers Blog

Written by Samantha Oates-Miller, Careers Insights and Graduate Support Assistant at the Careers Service

There are lots of myths about careers, job searching and the jobs market. You will probably have heard some during your time at university. The Careers Service is here to debunk some of the most common career myths!

Myth:

“I can’t use the Careers Service after I finish university.”

Fact:

Actually, you can use the Careers Service for up to two years after completing your course. Check out our Graduate Careers website for more information. 

Myth:

“I can’t use the Careers Service if I didn’t complete my degree.”

Fact:

If you didn’t finish your degree for any reason, you can still use the Careers Service for one year after leaving the University.

Myth:

“The Careers Service is just for Undergraduates and Master’s students.”

Fact:

We have a dedicated careers consultant specifically for PGR students and have a range of PhD careers support on the website too.

Myth:

“The Careers Service won’t help me if I’m applying for Master’s or PhDs at a different university.”

Fact:

We offer impartial advice to help you at whatever stage you are at, either in your career or academically.

Myth:

“I have to have used the Careers Service during my degree to access it as a graduate.”

Fact:

Any graduate can use the Careers Service for two years after finishing university, whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth!

Myth:

“The Careers Service can’t help me if I’m looking for work abroad.”

Fact:

The Careers Service has advice specifically for looking for work abroad on the website.

Myth:

“There’s no help for students with disabilities.”

Fact:

You can find careers advice for student with disabilities on our website, and we have dedicated Careers Consultants for career planning with a disability or health concern.

Myth:

“My first job out of university will have to be my job for life.”

Fact:

Careers are very changeable – your first job after university is unlikely to be where you stay for the rest of your career – you may change jobs, companies or even sectors.

Myth:

“I have to decide what sector I want to work in forever.”

Fact:

It is highly likely that you will change company, or even sector, throughout the course of your career. You don’t have to stay in the first sector you work in.

Myth:

“There are no jobs available.”

Fact:

The UK Graduate Labour Market Report January 2021 states that current graduate job vacancies are at 70% of normal levels. While this is slightly lower than normal, it shows there are lots of jobs still out there!

Myth:

“I’ve missed all the deadlines.”

Fact:

Many jobs still have many vacancies, and often companies recruit all year round. Look at our website for advice on finding Graduate Jobs.

Myth:

“All jobs need a 2:1.”

Fact:

Job frequently hire with lower than a 2:1 because you still have the skills you have gained while at university. The Careers website has more information about job hunting with a lower grade than you wanted.

Myth:

“I can only have one guidance session.”

Fact:

You can have one guidance session every thirty days, plus specific interview and application sessions. You can book these through CareerConnect.

Myth:

“I need to get onto a graduate scheme at a big company.”

Fact:

Working at an SME is also a rewarding pathway. SMEs represent 99% of all companies and can be a great way of exploring a variety of different roles within a sector. Look at Manchester Graduate Talent for Manchester based SME roles.

Hopefully this article has helped you to unpack the truth about employability and the Careers Service. If you need any more help, or want to find information and guidance, check out the Careers Service website.