Top Emerging Careers For UK University Graduates In 2023
If you’re a recent university graduate then first of all, congratulations! Now that all of that hard work has paid off and you’ve earned your degree and tossed your cap, you’re probably wondering “what comes next?”.
Well, don’t worry, because many people will be in the same boat as you, and to help you we’ve got the lowdown on some of the most diverse and promising career paths waiting for you in 2023.
Let’s dive into these exciting opportunities with a full graduate career guide for the top emerging careers in the UK!
Top Graduate Careers To Consider
Wondering what you can do with your degree? Unsure of the career path to go down? There are a variety of jobs and careers out there that are open to graduates from any degree.
In fact, research shows that only half of UK graduates work in a field which relates to their degree after leaving university.
Below we’ve listed some of the top emerging careers for university graduates in the UK, so you can explore possible routes to head down!
1. Human Resources
Looking for careers that are open to graduates from all degree backgrounds? Human Resources could be a great option for you.
Working in Human Resources means you would be part of a team that are responsible for finding, recruiting, screening and training job applicants.
With the rise of remote work and the importance of employee well-being, HR graduate jobs are in high demand.
You would be crafting awesome work environments, solving problems, and supporting employees’ growth.
It’s like being the glue which holds a company together!
2. Marketing
Are you a social media whizz? Do you love creating content? Or coming up with creative campaigns? A career in marketing could be the one for you!
In this digital age, companies and organisations need experts to create buzz and make their brand stand out to audiences.
From crafting engaging social media posts to writing expert copy to organising events that get people talking, you’ll be shaping a company’s image and connecting with audiences.
There’s a wide range of marketing career paths so there’s no limit on what you can do, and if you’re a creative person, you should love it!
3. Civil Service
If you’re keen to make a positive impact on society then a career in Civil Service could be a fantastic option for you.
Working in Civil Service means you will help to deliver public services and support the government of the day to develop and implement its policies.
No matter if you’re passionate about healthcare, the environment, or education, this career path allows you to play a crucial role in building a better future for the UK.
The best part? The Civil Service is continually ranked among the top graduate employers in the UK!
4. Advertising
If you don’t have a clue what you want to do after graduation then don’t worry, you’re not the only one.
Do you ever see eye-catching ads which make you go “wow?!” Well, a career in advertising is one you can pursue with a degree of any kind.
From coming up with crazy concepts to designing attention-grabbing visuals, you’ll be able to get your creative juices flowing and create campaigns that people can’t stop talking about.
Working in advertising is fast-paced, highly collaborative and a creative career, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, you may have just found your dream job!
5. Teaching
If you’ve just graduated and feel at loss about what to do next, why not consider a career in teaching?
Working as a teacher can be an incredibly rewarding career as you’re helping to educate young people and shape the minds of tomorrow.
Whether you’re interested in primary, secondary, or even higher education, becoming a teacher means inspiring young minds and making a difference in their lives.
To get into teaching after completing your bachelors degree, there are a variety of different routes that you can take.
The most popular is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which can be studied at university or as part of a school-based training programme.
6. Sustainability
Are you concerned about the planet and its well-being? Pursuing a career related to sustainability could be a good fit for you.
Whilst working as a sustainability professional, you’ll create environmentally friendly practices for businesses, communities, and organisations.
From reducing waste to promoting clean energy, your efforts will help to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
There are a huge range of sectors that relate to sustainability, but no matter the field you work in, you will be helping to make a real difference to the world around you!
7. Journalism
Whilst a Journalism or Media and Communications degree is helpful for pursuing a career in Journalism, it’s not a necessity.
To work in Journalism, you need to be passionate about news, current events and media, and you should also have good written and verbal communication skills.
If you love finding stories and sharing them with audiences, journalism may be the career path for you.
Whether you’re reporting stories from the front lines or creating engaging content online, your words could be the ones that make people think, laugh, or even take action.
With the rise of digital media, there’s a world of opportunities waiting for graduates like you!
8. Hospitality and Travel Management
A great career path to go down as a recent university graduate is the thriving world of hospitality and travel management.
With a job in this field, you could travel the world whilst dealing with tourists’ accommodation needs in resorts, hotels, restaurants, pubs, or bars.
This career isn’t just about booking hotels or serving food and drinks (though that’s part of it, too!).
It’s about creating unforgettable experiences for travellers, giving them a taste of new cultures, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Hospitality and travel management is a career with no boundaries and is definitely a path to consider if you’re an avid traveller!
How To Find Graduate Jobs
As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of jobs out there that don’t require a specific degree, so if you’re a graduate who’s not sure what you want to do, there’s a whole host of options.
You can search online on the likes of Indeed, Graduate Jobs and Totaljobs for graduate jobs, graduate schemes, internships, work experience and apprenticeship opportunities from a variety of employers.
As a new graduate, your university’s graduate team should also be able to help you identify new opportunities and let you know when suitable jobs come up.
For those that have just graduated and are setting their sights for the professional world, there is a whole realm of possibilities when it comes to UK graduate careers.
We hope our graduate career guide has been helpful and from all the team at Essential, we wish you all the best with finding your dream job, you’ve got this!
If none of these careers appeal to you, you could consider setting up your own business. To help you, read our guide on Starting Your Own Business As A University Student In The UK.