If you are considering doing a degree in business or finance or doing a top-up year after a foundation degree, don’t let rumours of a shrinking job market cause you to panic.
There has been considerable speculation about Britain’s exit from the EU resulting in caution among major employers – and even talk of global firms moving out of the UK. This may make you hesitate about investing in taking a degree course, but there are plenty of exciting job opportunities for graduates if you set your sights on SMEs.
Small and medium-sized enterprises represent 99.9% of the private business in the UK. But graduates sometimes overlook the opportunities they provide, believing that their dream job will be with one of the big players.
One of the reasons it’s too easy to forget the career prospects offered by SMEs is that smaller ventures don’t always have big budgets for major recruitment initiatives.
In your degree final year, as part of your placements or even before you enrol at the college, it is worth actively exploring the sorts of jobs available in smaller businesses in your preferred sector.
If you think that SMEs don’t offer the same kudos or career progression opportunities as big companies, then it’s well worth re-evaluating this important sector of the jobs market.
SMEs need graduates, and although they may not pay the highest salaries, you may find that they offer you greater responsibility, a wider remit and a better chance to make an impression with the management team.
If you are considering an accountancy or business finance qualification at college, setting your sights on being one of the 59% of people recruited to SMEs could mean you quickly become part of decision-making processes, rather than crunching numbers for some years.
Smaller firms also tend to be more open to you negotiating the terms and remit for your role, rather than slotting you into a pre-determined job spec.
Being part of a small team and working cross-function suits some graduates much more than being a small cog in a big wheel.
SMEs tend to really appreciate the value of graduate recruits, as they are often taken on to support innovation, change and a big push towards new markets.
Are you wondering if enrolling at Mont Rose College in Ilford provides you with enough graduate job opportunities in London and the rest of the UK? Well for big graduate opportunities, it might be time to “think small”.