Most people now days have a degree and that’s why employers are looking for graduates with experience of working in the industry they wish to pursue as a career. Jerome Albarus, Nicholas Employment Agency

Although more young people from the black communities are attending university, a greater proportion of them end up on the dole, rather than in the job of their dreams.

A study by the Equal Opportunities Commission published in March 2007 called Moving on Up: The Way Forward , revealed that almost two thirds of unemployed African Caribbean women have higher qualifications than unemployed white women. Furthermore, the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (DLHE) published in November 2007 showed that whilst 67 per cent of black graduates are likely to be in full time work, this compares less favourably to the 75 per cent of Asian graduates and 74 per cent of white graduates whose qualifications secure full time employment.

So why are black graduates losing out in the job market? Today, more young black people are attending university to study for a degree in the hope of landing a high paying job once they graduate. But a degree alone is not always enough. According to Jerome Albarus from Nicholas Employment Agencies: “Most people now days have a degree and that’s why employers are looking for graduates with experience of working in the industry they wish to pursue as a career.”

Samantha Simon aged 24, graduated from Brunel University in 2007 gaining a 1st class BSc degree in Computer Science. She was able to gain employment straight after finishing her degree at the company where she undertook her work placement. Currently working as a Web developer for MSN in London, Simon told Colourful: “Yes I did do a placement year and I still believe it to be one of the most important years of the course. It gave me the rehearsal I needed for finding the job, filling out the application forms and completing the interview process.”

By contrast, 21 year old Laura Pembele, a graduate from the University of Huddersfield decided to wait until completing her degree to get work experience. She graduated with a BSc Hons in Medical Biology in 2007 and is currently unemployed, finding that work experience is essential to get into the world of medicine.

Do black graduates have to go the extra mile?

I think black students need to excel, make sure that they have extra, which undeniably makes them the better candidate. Samantha Simon, web developer

After failing to get a job Pembele opted to return to study and is currently doing a two year diploma in Operating Department Practice. In terms of work experience, she told Colourful: “I didn’t feel it was relevant. I feel this course will provide me with good work experience as well as a qualification in the field prior to attending the post-graduate medicine programme.”

A lack of work experience is not the only factor preventing black graduates from entering the job market. The class of a degree and the institution it comes from are also crucial factors that can influence employment chances. Albarus explained that most employers look for graduates with a first class or upper second class degree and are selective, preferring candidates who have attended Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Imperial College of London, University of Liverpool and the London school of Economics.

Most graduates that gain lower class degrees and come from universities outside of the Russell group “miss out on gaining employment in their chosen sectors and employers miss out on a lot of talent from black graduates that go to universities such as South Bank,” Albarus said.

But according to Emma Griffiths, a spokeswoman for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills: “The evidence isn’t clear cut. The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey indicates that amongst full-time graduates, those with lower second and third class honours still have a high chance of being in employment.”

The perception held by many hopefuls entering university is that after graduation comes a well paid job in their chosen field. But once reality settles in most graduates realise that a degree alone will not provide access to a professional career. It seems that black graduates have to go the extra mile, as web developer Simon told Colourful:

“I think black students need to excel, make sure that they have [something] extra, which undeniably will make them the better candidate. Take advantage of all the opportunities your universities offer, whether its extra workshops or presentations - don’t just do what is required.”