Bigmouthmedia reveal Scottish universities not connecting students
to real world
Released
on: November 13, 2008, 9:45 am
Press Release Author: Iain Bruce
Industry:
Education
Press
Release Summary: Bigmouthmedia reveal that the majority of recent
Scottish university graduates feel that higher education is failing
to adequately prepare leavers for life in the real world and opportunities
in emerging industries
Press
Release Body: Bigmouthmedia has revealed that the majority of
recent Scottish university graduates feel that higher education
should do more to connect students to opportunities in emerging
industries and that universities are failing to adequately prepare
leavers for life in the real world.
According
to a wrap up of 2008 graduate intelligence, harvested by bigmouthmedia
from a series of recruitment events, the majority of Scotland’s
class of 2008 believed that the education system is not properly
aiding the transition from student life. Some 56% of the recent
graduates polled believed that university had not sufficiently
prepared them for life in the business world.
The
research revealed a worrying lack of awareness about opportunities
in 21st Century industries. Over 46.3% of those surveyed said
they knew little about opportunities in digital marketing and
felt that universities should help increase awareness of such
emerging industries.
Some
39% also believed they should have been told more about the search
marketing sector during their time in higher education.
Respondents
revealed a tendency to use online media to supplement gaps in
the curriculum. Some 89% said that they had learned more about
search engine optimisation
and online marketing reading a range of industry blogs such as
Search Engine Land and Search Engine Watch.
The
research also revealed that a career in search marketing is beginning
to appeal to university leavers from disciplines not typically
attracted to the sector. While 24.4% of the recent graduates enquiring
about a career in the industry had marketing/advertising degrees
and 29.3% had been studying ICT/Computing, the clear majority
- 46.3% - had studied unrelated subjects.
The
results indicated that this broadening attraction could in part
be due to the perception of the digital marketing as a 'hot' industry,
with an overwhelming 80% stating that they believed the sector
offered a more glamorous career than television marketing.
The
graduate groups questioned also revealed a preference for remaining
North of the border after leaving university. Some 95% of the
graduates questioned said they would prefer to pursue a high-tech
or marketing career in Scotland if possible.
See
the results at: www.bigmouthmedia.com/live/articles/graduate-survey-2008.asp
About
bigmouthmedia
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe's largest independent
digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located
across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company
maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of
fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation,
PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate
marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR
and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily
digital
marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware
of all industry developments.
Web
Site: http://www.bigmouthmedia.com/
Contact
Details:
For further media information please contact
Iain Bruce
Media Strategist
bigmouthmedia
51 Timberbush
Edinburgh
EH6 6QH
(44) 131 555 4848
2009
