Leaving university, without ever having had a job?

[VerenaR]

Just that really. What would you think of a person, generally and also from an employment point of view, if they had left university without ever having had a job?

My DD is currently in her second year of university, and I am really trying to persuade her to start looking for a summer job. She has reliably told me she will definitely get one this year, but she has said that for the past two years! She says she doesn't need to work as she wants to enjoy her time off doing the things she likes doing, and she insists she doesn't need the money (she receives a big maintenance loan from uni, that would last her over the summer). I know this is true, as she never asked me for any money last year. She earns money from selling clothes, but I keep on telling her that won't cut it on a CV if she has never held down an actual job.

Please give me your opinions and advice, I want her to see that I am not nagging her, just trying to help her in gaining experience which will help secure a full-time job after university.

[VanCleefArpels]

My DS about to graduate and applying for jobs. He has worked in long summer holidays doing basically manual work. He is applying for an office based profession. Feedback has been that he is not successful because he doesn’t have experience in an office environment. So there’s a lesson!

[BubblesBuddy]

I think that proves the point really. Try and do something relevant. Any work isn’t relevant when others have something much better.

Does Cambridge help with engineering placements or is it down to students and their connections to find something? I know a DC who did natural sciences was helped by Cambridge’s connections regarding summer work.