Graduates opt for IT over accountancy

-IT Jobs for Graduates research finds 82 percent of graduates plan to look for work in IT-

82 percent of graduates plan to look for work within the IT sector, according to research from IT Jobs for Graduates (www.itjobsforgraduates.com) [1].

The survey also highlighted that more college leavers search for graduate IT jobs via online job boards than by any other method. 36 percent of survey respondents ticked the job boards column, compared with recruitment agencies, standing at 35 percent.

72 percent of graduates said they feel prepared for the job market on leaving university.

And, when it came to salary expectations, 61 percent hope to earn between £18,000 – £26,000 on graduating and starting their first job.

Professions snubbed included accountancy, with 33 percent claiming they would not look for a role within that industry, and 36 percent steering clear of employment in the legal sector. When asked why, respondents believed there would be less opportunities available within these professions.

Teresa Sperti, head of marketing at IT Jobs for Graduates, commented: “I believe that many of today’s college leavers see greater chance of employment within the IT sector, particularly in light of the current economic climate. And this presents a real opportunity for the sector to bring in and nurture new talent.

“It is also encouraging to see that online job boards are a key job hunting tool for graduate IT jobs. They present a quick and easy route for people looking for employment, and a cost-effective way for companies to advertise.

“As the younger generation become increasingly tech savvy, it will be down to companies like IT Jobs for Graduates to maintain regular online communication with the candidate base looking for graduate IT roles.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

About www.itjobsforgraduates.com / http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk/:

IT Jobs for Graduates (www.itjobsforgraduates.com) is part of The IT Job Board group of companies (which includes www.theitjobboard.co.uk).

The IT Job Board group of companies was set up in April 2002 in recognition that recruitment in the IT sector was increasingly dominated by the internet. It is now the largest IT specific job boards in the UK and Europe, with over 19,000 vacancies posted.

Online technology enables sophisticated targeting – for example by skill, region or experience – of www.theitjobboard.co.uk’s database of 800,000 IT professionals. The IT Job Board always tries to get closer to candidates either via planned content campaigns, or through the use of social networks.

The site also offers employers services such as branded job postings, a featured employer zone, targeted email campaigns and guidance on advertising copy. The managed campaign service filters responses to provide companies with a shortlist of applicants most suitable for the advertised position.

www.theitjobboard.co.uk’s clients include Accenture, Bloomberg, the British Council, Cap Gemini, Cisco Systems, Dell, IBM, Imperial College, Google, LogicaCMG, Norwich Union, Oxfam, Roche, Sage, T-Mobile and the University of Manchester.

[1] Survey of 320 graduates conducted in November 2008. 74 percent in following degree schemes – engineering, telecommunications, computer networking, computer science. 26 percent in ‘other’ degree schemes

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