Many believe unpaid and minimum-wage work will help them stand out in a hostile job market
Almost all students are prepared to work unpaid or take minimum wage positions to secure a graduate job, according to a national survey.
Half of university students are willing to work for free to kickstart their career, while 40% said they would take a minimum wage position, according to research carried out by studentbeans.com.
The findings follow news of rising unemployment among graduates.
Figures released today by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) reveal more than 20,000 students – around one in 10 – who left university last summer were out of work six months later. This figure has almost doubled in the past four years, as has the number of graduates in "elementary occupations."
The NUS is calling for government action to prevent exploitation of graduates, saying pressure to complete unpaid work puts those from poor families on the back foot.
Danielle Grufferty, NUS vice-president, says graduates entering a hostile jobs market must be protected by the law: "Unpaid labour is illegal and the government must enforce minimum wage legislation."
"Working for free is only a possibility for those who have the means to support themselves financially, with no guarantee of a job or even an experience that will help them in future."
Almost all students are prepared to work unpaid or take minimum wage positions to secure a graduate job, according to a national survey.
The findings follow news of rising unemployment among graduates.
Figures released today by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) reveal more than 20,000 students – around one in 10 – who left university last summer were out of work six months later. This figure has almost doubled in the past four years, as has the number of graduates in "elementary occupations."
The NUS is calling for government action to prevent exploitation of graduates, saying pressure to complete unpaid work puts those from poor families on the back foot.
Danielle Grufferty, NUS vice-president, says graduates entering a hostile jobs market must be protected by the law: "Unpaid labour is illegal and the government must enforce minimum wage legislation."
"Working for free is only a possibility for those who have the means to support themselves financially, with no guarantee of a job or even an experience that will help them in future."
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