Does university help young people find careers? What the experts say

A recent report found a third of young people with mental health problems and no degree are jobless, compared to 17% of graduates with these illnesses.

Plus, children aged 11-14 suffering with their mental health are three times more likely to not pass GCSEs, according to Resolution Foundation.

So, at a time when wellbeing is affecting education and employment outcomes, tuition fees are overwhelmingly high and apprenticeships and traineeships are gaining more traction, how much does going to uni actually help in securing a job in 2024?

For young people or parents wondering the answer to this, here's what the experts say.

Does university still help you secure a job?

Jay Thandi, founder of Solis Recruitment, told Yahoo: "It depends on the 'job' at hand – there are some careers that require a degree and there is no bypassing this, like if you want to get into law or medicine.

"But speaking more generally, university as an experience can be useful outside of just the academics, and can allow students to develop different skills as well as the educational/academic benefits."

However, he adds, "Obtaining a degree doesn’t guarantee you a job, and many graduates struggle to obtain roles after graduating. The market is incredibly competitive and having a degree isn’t the rarity that it once was."

David Rice, careers expert at People Managing People, agrees the importance of a degree should be decided on a case-by-case basis, but adds, "The truth is, so much of success comes down to the individual's ability to adapt, use their social skills and understand higher level concepts around strategy and business practices.

"University is one avenue towards learning some of these things, but those skills [often now influenced by new technology] don't necessarily have to come from a university education. That's one reason you're seeing a lot of big-name companies remove university degrees as a requirement from job listings."

Is it financially worth going to university?

For competitive job markets and particularly interesting roles, Rice says, "It may be true that a degree still has value over time, but you have to weigh out whether or not that value is stronger than the incredibly high cost of tuition."

University tuition fees across the country can cost up to £9,250, and that's before accommodation and living costs.

"Graduates do, however," adds Thandi, who has teamed up with Brother UK", "tend to secure more promotions, and increase their salaries quicker than non-graduates. In 2022, the median nominal salary for working-age graduates was £38,500, £11,500 more than non-graduates on £27,000.

"Many businesses do still consider non-graduates for roles, but there is more emphasis that non-graduates need to 'prove' themselves more capable."

How do apprenticeships and traineeships affect job prospects?

Young people will now be able to use UCAS to search and apply for apprenticeships, alongside degrees, the Education Secretary and UCAS announced last month.

"Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to get real world work experience and apply theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. This opens the doors for non-graduates to work their way up within an organisation, gain qualifications and they therefore should be able to progress more quickly," says Thandi.

"However, apprenticeship salaries can also be low which often means this is only an option for those with support (perhaps living at home), and there have been issues in the past with training providers not delivering high quality courses, or 'going bust' and leaving apprentices without support or guidance for long periods, even leaving them without their qualification.

"My advice would be to make sure you’re with a reputable training provider and the business will grant you your entitlement to off-the-job training (which was 20% many moons ago, when I worked in the field!)."

Navigating mental health in the recruitment process

"Applying for new roles can be a job in itself, and the process can be disheartening," Thandi acknowledges. "From applying to countless jobs, having interviews and getting little to no meaningful feedback, job seekers can feel trapped in a negative cycle. At the same time, news stories tell of more redundancies, meaning more potential competition for roles."

The recruitment expert advises young people to take advantage of available online resources for guidance on cvs, writing cover letters and interview questions.

Has the increasing spotlight on mental health improved the process at all? "I think employers are having to be more accommodating, and post pandemic a lot of forward-thinking employers have increased their focus on this via issues like work-life balance, reducing stress for employees (and happy employees are productive ones) and assigning mental health first aiders," says Thandi.

However, while Rice says "we live in a time where it's perfectly okay to be who you are and disclose the reality of your experience" and "being open about mental health issues can be good for your career", he adds: "But there's a time and a place for everything. Carefully consider who you share this information with and why."

Is university right for you?

When thinking of mental health as an obstacle, Thandi acknowledges this isn't a quick fix as everyone's situation is different. "However, this is an area that requires further intervention by the government, to offer more support and potentially looking at expanding kick-starter programmes or extending them more akin to the previous Future Jobs Fund [introduced in 2009] that can open opportunities for younger generations.

"If a degree is not right for you, then look to gain real world experience or build more knowledge in the area that you would love to work in. Look for short term courses to build knowledge, try and network with people in the field so you understand what they look for, how they communicate and if they like you. They may know someone who will hire you."

Rice says uni can still be worth it, particularly if you want to get into postgraduate education, or demonstrate your ability to finish something through and desire for knowledge. "But it comes down to what you want from the university experience. Is it a place for personal and intellectual growth? Or are you just trying to acquire skills to become workforce-ready.

"If it's the latter, you may reconsider it as an option as many people don't feel university grads are coming out ready for the reality of the workforce. If it's to grow as a person, it can still be a remarkable experience. But what is that cost worth to you?"

Psychologist Ruth Kudzi, who suggests young people torn between this or feel pressured to pick a particular path spend time reflecting, also advises, "They may want to seek some external support such as a coach to help them get really clear on what their values and aspirations are and to map out specific routes that could work for them."

Still not sure? "Getting a degree has no time limit, it’s a huge undertaking, and if you aren’t sure it’s right for you, take some time to explore the working world to help you make a more informed decision," says Thandi.

• Read more: Why Gen Z’s mental health is forcing them out of work, according to experts (Yahoo Life UK)

• Read more: Mental health dangers of screen addiction and how to have a digital detox (Yahoo Life UK)

• Read more: Gen Z’s wellbeing is significantly lower than Boomers: Experts explain why (Yahoo Life UK)