Interships and Graduates. Equal Opportunities I read an article this morning which has left me feeling a little incensed. The article in The Telegraph (Education Section) discussed whether:
1) Employers should ignore internship experience because it may indicate that the candidate has been privileged, and
2) Employers should ignore graduates' degree classifications - again because it may suggest privilege or better educational opportunities.
So, where does that leave the graduates who've worked really hard to gain a place at a good university and achieve a first-class degree?
Where does that leave work ethic?
Where does it leave the fact that some people are - in reality - more intelligent and more employable than others?
The fact is, the world isn't, and never will be, a level playing field; it's a jungle. But the same opportunities are out there for anyone who wants to get off their backsides and go after them. I know people who've attended state schools and gone on to become lawyers. And I know people who've had a private, aka 'privileged', education and gone on to achieve very little.
Success is a mindset. It's about parents encouraging and supporting their kids. It's about kids getting off backsides to seek out and make the most of every opportunity. There's plenty of help out there for the under privileged. Educational establishments should focus on referring kids to those resources and, if necessary, running classes for parents to educate them on the importance of supporting, stimulating and motivating their kids; leading by example.
In terms of level playing fields, we need to be very careful about the message we send out and we should avoid at all costs undervaluing or resenting those who have worked hard to create a brighter future for themselves.
For those who'd like to read the article, here it is: Telegraph Article
by Barbara Patrick
Professional CV Writer and Career Coach
Compelling CVs
Reading Berkshire
Read more of our blogs
Professional CV writing, LinkedIn Profiles, Cover Letters, Job Search Skills, Interview Skills, Outplacement and more...
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1) Employers should ignore internship experience because it may indicate that the candidate has been privileged, and
2) Employers should ignore graduates' degree classifications - again because it may suggest privilege or better educational opportunities.
So, where does that leave the graduates who've worked really hard to gain a place at a good university and achieve a first-class degree?
Where does that leave work ethic?
Where does it leave the fact that some people are - in reality - more intelligent and more employable than others?
The fact is, the world isn't, and never will be, a level playing field; it's a jungle. But the same opportunities are out there for anyone who wants to get off their backsides and go after them. I know people who've attended state schools and gone on to become lawyers. And I know people who've had a private, aka 'privileged', education and gone on to achieve very little.
Success is a mindset. It's about parents encouraging and supporting their kids. It's about kids getting off backsides to seek out and make the most of every opportunity. There's plenty of help out there for the under privileged. Educational establishments should focus on referring kids to those resources and, if necessary, running classes for parents to educate them on the importance of supporting, stimulating and motivating their kids; leading by example.
In terms of level playing fields, we need to be very careful about the message we send out and we should avoid at all costs undervaluing or resenting those who have worked hard to create a brighter future for themselves.
For those who'd like to read the article, here it is: Telegraph Article
by Barbara Patrick
Professional CV Writer and Career Coach
Compelling CVs
Reading Berkshire
Read more of our blogs
Professional CV writing, LinkedIn Profiles, Cover Letters, Job Search Skills, Interview Skills, Outplacement and more...
Our success is built on yours...
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