Where & What Type of Work

Where & What Type of Work

Options for generalist graduates...

The term generalist degree covers a whole range of qualifications, including arts, science, humanities and social science. If you are a generalist degree student or graduate, you may feel less confident about your vocational options compared to your specialist-degree peers. Yet generalist graduates enter the labour market with a diverse and adaptable skills set.

The general knowledge and versatile skills of generalist graduates is increasingly valued in today’s ever-changing workplace. Employers look for graduates with learning agility, the potential to grow within their organisational structure and the adaptability and flexibility to move across and up into different job roles.

Employers increasingly recognise that generalist degree graduates have well-developed communication, analytical and problem-solving skills. There are now many potential career paths in a variety of industry sectors for generalist graduates, and double-degrees with a generalist component are increasingly popular among students and appealing to employers.

“An Arts degree lays the foundation for success in many spheres. Our graduates are found in many walks of life. The message we are getting from employers more and more is that they want graduates with good generalist degrees…Graduates from this Faculty have forged stimulating and important careers in many fields, such as the professions, the media, government, business, industry, commerce, community organisations and the arts.”
Professor Stephen Garton – Dean of Arts, University of Sydney

Which road?

A challenge for many new generalist degree graduates is a lack of clarity about their career options and confidence in articulating the skills they take to the workplace. Developing efficient career management skills will help you match your skills, values and interests to suitable employment opportunities. Finding the job you want requires you to be strategic, resourceful and persistent.

Job searching tips

By conducting a personal skills assessment generalist graduates can help gain a better understanding of their skills and learn to market themselves more effectively. Some techniques to help you increase your skills self-awareness include:

• Self-directed questionnaires
• Vocational interest tests and consultations with career practitioner
• Discussion with people who know you well.

Opportunity knocks

'Opportunity awareness' means knowing where the jobs are. Investigate industries to determine which ones seek graduates with your qualifications and skills. Find out what roles you could pursue in these industries as a generalist graduate.

Your university Careers Service can assist you in assessing different employment opportunities and interpreting job advertisements. They will also help you tap into information on market requirements for job roles and recognise the skills you have acquired through your degree.

Thinking outside the square

University life provides opportunities to engage in a range of learning and social forums. These extra-curricular activities can develop and enhance skills which are transferable to the workplace.

Think about the activities you have participated in and how your involvement demonstrates particular skills. Did a group project develop your self-management and team-work skills? Did your role as a deputy-secretary in the debating society enhance your leadership, negotiation or decision making capacities? Playing indoor soccer or working with a theatre group might demonstrate commitment, social confidence and the ability to cooperate with others.

“A fresh Arts Graduate when I joined the Service, I have grown up in ASIS. Having been mentored by experienced officers, I have trained and worked with many engaging colleagues, some of whom have become my closest friends. I feel privileged to be involved in intelligence operations that pushed the boundaries of my confidence and abilities.”
Shannon – a graduate recruit with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service

Check the stats

Graduate Careers Australia, the publishers of Graduate Opportunities, conducts the Graduate Destination Survey (GDS) every year. The GDS report provides details of the numbers of graduates from each discipline who have found employment, which sectors they work in and their salary range. In conjunction with the federal government’s Job Guide directory, www.jobguide.dest.gov.au , the GDS data can be useful in revealing the range of potential career pathways available to generalist graduates.

Study options

A generalist degree, combined with a graduate diploma, further degree or course-work masters, is a very sellable combination in today’s job market. If you want to add career-specific skills to the generalist capacities you gained in your first degree, investigate further study options. Most universities list their graduate courses on their websites, and individual faculties will be able to advise you about their course options. See the Postgraduate Study section of this site for more information.

Keep in mind

As a generalist graduate you have a wide range of career options. Take time to evaluate your skills and explore career possibilities with an open mind. Talk over potential job prospects with university careers staff and explore all the resources available to you.