When finishing secondary education, students leave school with a high hope for the future, indulging in apprenticeships or A-levels.
Many high-achieving students look forward to broadening their professional and social skills, alongside key attributes to differentiate themselves from future competition.
Having a job gives students responsibility and a sense of identity in the real world, which is detrimental to their self-confidence when they cannot secure a position.
In the current state of inflation, working helps students understand the meaning of money and how to spend it wisely.
However, many students face the reality of the market and find it nearly impossible to get a job.
Commonly, rejection happens because of a lack of qualifications compared to the highly competitive job market.
A college student that is currently looking for part-time work, commented that “I’ve had four interviews but still haven’t secured a job because of the competition.”
Furthermore, their lack of experience harms their professional communication skills online and in person.
However, many students aren’t getting hired because of the false stereotypes of this younger generation that are issued among employers.
This generalisation of young people being lazy and rude towards others is a common misconception of hard-working students.
These cliches place a barrier for most students, preventing them from gaining time in an interview or stepping into a professional environment.
If some are lucky enough to venture into employment, they’re faced with low hourly wages (commonly earning £6.40/hour) and contracts that don’t provide them with adequate working hours.
Many companies pay based on age instead of workload and this is disheartening for many part-time workers.
An employed college student commented that, “many of my colleagues get more pay than me when we’re doing the same job, which is very frustrating."
This work environment is not beneficial for anybody's self-esteem, as their hard work is often discredited.
The high expectations of college balanced with unrecognised work can substantially affect their mental health.
However, many students are supported by their college in learning how to properly balance their workload.
In assistance, they are offered help on how to improve their CV and gain employability skills - for example, respectful communication.
It helps them gain independence and provides the younger generation with a commitment to developing their identity.
Regardless, employers should recognise the value of personal skills and polite behaviours instead of qualifications.
First impressions can make the biggest difference in success or rejection, with many aspiring employees deserving the recognition of correct presentation.
However, when students are working hard to become the best employee, employers overlook their best qualities.
Sometimes a person's character is more important than all else and that is what an employer should look for above all.
Employment prospects for students post secondary education are limited, and the jobs that are available often do more harm than good for students.
There needs to be more options for those wanting to find part time work and it's time to offer those opportunities to the next generation who are keen to start working.
