Students graduating in 2020, or leaving school this year, are entering a jobs market with less opportunity than would be available in normal circumstances.

The uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought to every aspect of life means many job vacancies, graduate schemes and training programmes are no longer open. Graduates and school leavers across the UK are affected, with economic uncertainty set to remain well into 2021. This has forced many young people to reconsider their options, with students leaving school considering University while graduates are taking on debt to gain further academic or vocational qualifications.

The jobs market is saturated and a third of companies are expected to make redundancies as a result of financial difficulty or uncertainty as a result of COVID-19. With limited skills and work experience, the impact of the pandemic is greater on the young people striving to stand out in an incredibly competitive jobs market. This is leading many graduates to continue in education, helping them to become more attractive to prospective employers while improving their chances of long-term employment in the industry or market sector of choice.

Lily Browne, a 22-year-old BA modern languages graduate, is one example of a young person facing COVID-19 uncertainty. Having completed a 4-year course at the University of Southampton, Lily returned home to Cardiff in time for the ‘lockdown’. With a high proficiency in German, French and Spanish, Lily had applied to join numerous graduate schemes as well a wide range of graduate jobs but was not successful.

Lily explained,

“During lockdown it became clear that I needed to reconsider my options and, after much research and discussion with friends and family, I decided to gain a vocational qualification that will place me in a stronger position when I apply for my dream job in 2021.”

Lily was accepted onto a Master’s course in PR at Cardiff University and has applied for a student loan to support her studies. Before her course begins, Lily balances her time between working part-time as a picker for home deliveries at a local supermarket and as an intern at a small PR and marketing agency – with the aim of gaining valuable experience in her chosen field.

“Coronavirus ruined my original plans,” explains Lily. “But I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter in my life. The pandemic has helped me realise that I can gain valuable skills and experience while working remotely. It has also helped turn my passion for PR – developed while writing for the student paper, Soton Tab – into a rewarding and internationally focused career.”