Englishwoman Graduates as Video Game Developer but Becomes a Welder 0 13

Ebbw Vale Town, Wales. Rosie Howard graduated from university with a degree in "Video Game Development." She fondly recalled her studies but was unable to find a job in her field.

Howard took a job at a law firm. However, it was not for her: administrative work was frustrating.

Then Howard became interested in working as a mechanic. She attended evening classes and found an apprenticeship that allowed her to gain higher education without requiring prior work experience.

"Creating and repairing with my own hands is very enjoyable. At the end of the day, I see the results of my work," she told Yle while sitting at the welding table.

The 34-year-old Howard has been working as an apprentice at the Finnish factory Halton in South Wales for a year and a half. A workplace supervisor monitors her skill development. Training includes weekly classes at a nearby educational institution.

Howard earns a salary for her work. This is very timely, as she still needs to pay off loans taken for her university education. Most of her classmates at Harvard also did not find jobs in their field.

"The education has become a valuable life experience for them. And now they have huge debts," she said.

Statistics from Harvard University are confirmed by HESA, the official organization that compiles statistics on British higher education. According to the research institute, fewer and fewer university graduates are finding jobs. One in three is not employed in their field.

In 2023, just over half of graduates were working full-time a year after graduation. Six percent were unemployed, and one in eight worked part-time. Nearly one in five continued their education.

Job openings for recent graduates have decreased. Due to the challenging economic situation, companies are primarily cutting entry-level positions or hiring more experienced employees. Artificial intelligence is also contributing to job losses.

In the UK, significantly more young people are entering universities compared to the average across OECD countries.