University students 'fear coronavirus will hit job prospects'
Most graduates and students fear their career prospects will be affected by the coronavirus crisis, a new study suggests.
A survey of 2,500 university students and 100 graduates found three out of four believe Covid-19 will have a big impact on their future job prospects.
Graduate careers site Milkround and student research company Dig-In said that, of those graduating this summer, only one fifth have a job lined up, while some offers are being retracted and recruitment is on hold across the economy.
Georgina Brazier, of Milkround, said: "Understandably, the situation around Covid-19 is having a knock-on effect for student and graduates' confidence in the current jobs market."
She added that, despite many businesses being forced to postpone recruitment drives, only a quarter of companies will be hiring fewer graduates this year.
"Students should be reassured there are still various well-renowned companies looking for ambitious entry-level talent, to join their business and help deliver change.
"Most notably, the education, medical, accounting, IT and engineering, as well as the public sector are amongst the industries still continuing to hire."
Christopher Platt, chief executive of Dig-In, said: "Our latest research reveals that the majority of UK students feel under pressure and worried, due to uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
"Whilst we may see a rise in students deciding to take on masters degrees or further courses of study, in order to delay entering the jobs market by a year until things return to normal, students need to feel supported and understand the range of opportunities that are currently available to them."
Published: by Radio NewsHub