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In
career terms, a First can make a world
of difference |
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You could be on
a completely different career path with a vastly-improved pay grade throughout.
In 2004 over 10.6% of students achieved a first
class degree. In the same year 44.3% were
awarded a 2:1 - that's close to 50%, especially
when you consider statistics will fluctuate as
universities continue to strive for outstanding
results.
It's interesting to note that many employers ask
for the minimum of a 2:1 for professional
positions in law, business, engineering and the
health service, to name but a few sectors. When
this is considered in the context of the above
statistics it becomes clear that these employers
are simply demanding that their candidates are
within the upper 50% of graduates who attained
superior marks. |
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It therefore follows that achieving a
First differentiates you
from the multitude of graduates applying
for the same jobs |
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Sure, 2:1
graduates are successful in securing jobs, but
that implies they succeeded in two areas. They
succeeded in giving a superior interview, and
more importantly, they were shortlisted during
the application phase. This implies
that graduates with a 2:1 are sometimes more
successful in interviews than their First
counterparts. The point is: if you are to obtain
the job you desire you first need to be sortlisted for interview.
Employers invariably single out graduates with a
First (as they are in the minority) and then
select a number of 2:1 candidates to interview
within the same timeframe. Not all 2:1
candidates will be interviewed - there is simply
too little time - but the graduates with a First
have already succeeded in being sortlisted as
they are in the minority of top achievers.
A
First always looks impressive on paper. |
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Of course, graduating with a First is
not only about your future career |
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Imagine how
good it would feel to graduate with a First.
During the research phase of Graduating with
First Class Honours a number of students at the
local university campus of The University of The
West of England (UWE) in the City of Bristol
were asked how it would feel if they were to
graduate with a First. Here are just a few
of the answers received: "I would be amazed", "it
would be great - I'd be really happy", "beyond
expectation...", "better than if I got a 2:1!",
"I'd love to get a First...", "it would be
absolutely amazing", "Brilliant!" and
our
personal favourite "it would feel like jumping
over the moon..."
The author recalls: "When I was waiting for my
graduation results I didn't let my imagination
run wild hoping I'd succeeded in getting a First.
I remember texts sent between a friend and I
speculating about graduating with a First, as he
pointed out I'd worked for it. I knew I was in
the running for it, but you never really know
until you receive the results." |
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1stAcademy.net |
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