Graduates wanting to work in IT will be at the forefront of emerging technology if they join a UK business.
Women in Technology reports research has shown small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are realising the benefits new technology can bring and pushing developments further.
IT trade association CompTIA claims more than half of UK SMBs regard new technology as crucial to their future and two thirds are ‘constantly evolving their technology strategies.
Matthew Poyiadgi, CompTIA's European vice-president, told Women in Technology: "UK businesses are significantly ahead of the game when it comes to emerging technologies.
"This is largely due to their employees. Nearly three-quarters of UK SMBs say that their IT staff are on top of new technologies. In the US and Canada approximately half have the same confidence in their people."
UK businesses are also showing their green credentials with 37 percent putting environmentally-friendly practices as a priority.
Credit crunch creates graduate accountancy jobs
Milkround News, 25 September 2008
The economic downturn could play into the hands of graduates looking for a career in accounting.
With banks struggling and the financial markets straining, the demand for accounting skills is set to rise.
Charlie Ball, deputy director of research at the Higher Education Careers Service Unit said: "It is going to be accountants who have to deal with all the financial fall outs and mergers; Lehman's effectively going under and the HBOS and Lloyds merger.
"It is accountants who are going to have to deal with the financial implications of all of that, it’s accountants who are going to have to scrutinise the bottom line, accountants who are going to have to pick up all the pieces."
Search the graduate accountancy jobs available now at Milkround.com: click here.
Students put careers first, social life second:
by Mike Barnard
Far from being the lecture-skipping, beer-drinking socialites as perceived by most people, modern-day undergraduates are ambitious and determined to boost their job prospects.
Nearly two thirds of students go to university to get a high salary and three quarters just want to improve their career potential.
According to the latest Sodexo University Lifestyle Survey, money has become an increasing concern for today’s career-minded students with 60 percent motivated to study by a desire to achieve higher salaries, compared to just 36 percent in 2004.
Together with increasing graduate debt since the introduction of top-up fees and the economic downturn, students are focused on future finances rather than spending all their money funding a party-filled social life. Less than a third of students surveyed said socialising is a key reason to go to university.
In 2006, 44 percent of undergraduates spent five hours or more of a typical weekday on their social lives, whereas a mere 14 percent devote this much time now, and nearly a third spend just an hour or less each day having fun.
When they do venture out, two-thirds do most of their socialising off campus - a sharp increase from 2006 when 44 percent of undergraduates were moving away from a university-centred social life.
Instead of partying, today's university swots are hitting the books hard, with more than three-quarters spending two hours or more of a typical weekday on private study, and over a quarter devoting at least four hours.
The extra studying might stem from spiralling costs: some 63 percent expect to accumulate debts of more than £10,000 by the time they leave university - a significant jump from 2006 when 39 percent said they would end up with debts that high. More than a third expect to leave more than £17,500 in the red, and nearly one in five anticipate debts topping £20,000.
"Today's average undergraduate is extremely hardworking - often working part time as well as studying. They socialise less, drink in moderation, rarely skip lectures and worry about getting the results they need to succeed in the competitive job market" said Peter Taylor, head of universities for Sodexo.
Want to budget and get ahead in your career while at university?
Our tips and links help you get set for the working world and stay in control of your finances:
1) Be realistic. Don’t panic too much about student debt, everyone is in a similar position. Rather, consider the debt as the cost of a degree. As a guideline, most students finish their studies owing £11,000 to £15,000 so be prepared to be in the red.
2) Budget. By calculating how much money you have between student loan payments after rent and bills are taken care of will enable you to come up with a figure for how much you can spend each week. Sticking to it might be harder, but it’s a good way of understanding exactly where your cash is going and how to cut back – or whether part time work is necessary.
3) Limit your borrowing.Be wary about your borrowing - some maintenance grants are non-repayable and a student loan is the norm for the majority of students. However, free overdrafts and loans from a bank are much less forgiving in the long term even if they offer cash in the short term. Be careful you don't spend your way into trouble and find yourself at the mercy of a high interest loan or coughing up for banking fees.
4) Earn while you learn. Working while at university will boost your finances, especially if you take advantage of vacations to top up your funds. There are normally plenty of student jobs available, but if you know what career you want try to find a relevant job or internship rather than bar or retail work. It will provide you with valuable experience for your CV and could even get you a job offer.
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