Second Post

What do you think? We've seen a rise in the amount of graduates going travelling. Is this to escape the difficult job market and if so how do you think it will help or hurt their chances of getting a job when they return? I know someone who graduated and 3 weeks later went off for a two-month tour of America. What an act of self-indulgence! I think this is a bad idea - by the time you get back, you'll have missed out on a lot of the graduate scheme interview process and jobs will be slim pickings.

Hi KT,

I think it depends on what you choose to do. If for example, you go abroad to learn a new language whilst travelling then this good be a huge asset to you when applying to jobs. Also, the graduate scheme process is usually quite long, and to actually get to a F2F interview/assessment centre, there are quite a few steps. The English aren't exactly known for speaking many languages, thus if a graduate choose to go to for example Spain, and learn Spanish whilst travelling, why not? Of course, the graduate must be quite flexible if he/she was to get through to any stage that required him/her begin in the UK.

Of course there will be some that want to escape the real world, and the tough job situation, and for those who do not even apply to anything whilst abroad, they may have some problemes. Also, the graduate scheme is not for everyone, so maybe the people you know have chosen to not to graduate schemes, and rather work somewhere else.

I think life experience is just as important as work experience. Going travelling whilst your young is a great idea, as when you get into the job market you wont to/or have the opportunity to go.

 

If you take a year out to go travelling, you will still have the same qualifications, just more life experience.

 

Obviously, it depends on what jobs you apply for, because as mentioned, graduate schemes aren’t for everybody!

Like the above post said, it depends on what area you are thinking of. In my own opinion, the whole going travelling thing doesn't appeal to me. I'd recommend getting down to work and into your chosen career path as soon as possible! I always keep in mind that there's always going to be someone who didn't go travelling going for the same jobs as you, and may well have filled that time with work experience. Anything to put you ahead of the game is important, but I see going travelling as putting you at a disadvantage.

As I said though, it does depend on what you are going into. Perhaps if you went into international business then a bit of the language picked up whilst travelling would be good!

There's never been a better time to go travelling- lets be honest! It's not as though there's an abundance of jobs out there.

I personally think that travelling can reflect positively on your CV (obviously depending on which job your going for). As long as you portray the positives to your potential employers. It shows that you've got life exerperience, independance, and shows that your not afraid of a challenge.

You must organise, and do it properly though. Maybe, you could do some volunteering or find a work placement to enhance your CV. Or maybe you don't feel ready to move into the REAL world, settle down and get a job. There's a lot to see while your still young and have no morgage!

I recommend checking out the following websites:

www.statravel.com - for flights & ideas

www.thetravelsaurus.com - for help planning your trip

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jul/31/travellingsolo - great article if you are looking to travel on your own.