Top five myths about university busted by the experts

AROUND two in five school leavers opt to go to university annually and this year post-pandemic applications are set to jump five per cent.

But what if you’re the first in your family to try for a degree?

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This week is National University Week, aimed at broadening access to people from all backgrounds.

The free online event offers live Q&A sessions from lecturers and careers advisers.

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan, said: “University is an unforgettable experience and I know first-hand the importance of giving students an opportunity to broaden horizons and undertake a course which will set them up for a successful future.

“But choosing where and what to study can be daunting and the first National University Week will help school leavers understand more about higher education.”

Here, Careermap, the team behind National University Week, bust the top five Uni myths.

Find out more at nationaluniversityweek.co.uk.

Only rich people go to university: Whatever your social or economic you will be able to apply and go to university.

Many recruitment teams are now actively encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to apply.

You’ll be left with debt for life: You will need to pay tuition fees of up to £9,250 per year and budget for living expenses.

But you only start paying off your university debt when earning above £27,295.

Repayments begin from just £5 a month and your student loan is wiped 30 years after graduation.

You won’t get a job after university: The employment rate for working-age graduates is almost 90 per cent and two thirds are in high-skilled roles.

Official figures show the average graduate salary is £35,000, around £9,500 higher than non-graduates.

You must get a top grade during your first year: For most courses, you only need to get a passing grade to advance to the next year and your first-year grade doesn’t impact on your overall degree classification.

It’s really difficult to find accommodation and leave home: Transitioning to university is a big change but it is also one of the best ways to move into adult life.

You’re surrounded by others in similar situations and your uni can support you with finding somewhere to live.

You have to start drinking: Fresher’s Week is a great way to make new friends, but you shouldn’t feel pressure to binge drink.

Most unis have social events focused around non-drinking activities and some have no-alcohol accommodation.

Flexible deals so sensible

OVER half of working women have left a job or considered quitting due to a lack of flexibility in the workplace, a new study claims.

Here, Janine Chamberlin from LinkedIn, which carried out the survey, tells how firms can stop the “flexidus”.

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1. Attract and keep the best people. It’s a struggle to find the right staff at the moment. Employees are willing to leave jobs over a lack of flexible working, making it a deal-breaker for attracting new joiners and keeping staff.
2. Improve output and employee happiness. Many people enjoy being in the office for the social interaction, while knowing they have days in the week to work from home. Both allow for increased productivity and engagement.
3. Find more diverse candidates. Flexible work will help you cast your net far and wide when it comes to recruiting new employees.
4. Boost employee wellbeing. Flexible working can help your team achieve a better work/life balance, crucial for keeping employees happy.
5. Break down workplace stigmas. Almost a quarter of staff feel they should hide flexible work from colleagues. By embracing it, employers can help to get rid of stigmas.

Be a good sport

GET in training for the Commonwealth Games.

With just 62 days until Birmingham 2022 begins, there are still thousands of jobs left to fill – from venue managers and stewarding group leaders to laundry managers and transport staff.

Not ready to apply? The Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy will train you to find sustain-able employment at the games and beyond.

Andrew Newman, Director of Workforce and Volunteering, said: “Birmingham 2022 is an excellent addition to anyone’s CV and a great opportunity to boost skills.”

You can find out more at birmingham2022.com/jobs.

Give career a ‘lift

EXTEND your salary further with a job as a telescopic forklift driver.

The job – also known as a telehandler – has seen one of the nation’s fastest increases in pay rates, up 11 per cent in the last year.

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Workers can pocket up to £19.50 an hour, around £8 per hour more than a labourer, according to recruiters Randstad UK.

The role involves unloading and stacking materials from vehicles, moving stock to pallets or crates for storage or shipment and moving materials across construction sites.

Simon Harris, of Randstad UK, said: “Getting a telehandler qualification could make a huge difference. £8 more every hour? That will ease the cost-of-living crisis.”