I got a 2.ii. Don't hate me.
It's that time of year when final year students are nervously awaiting to find out what they got in their degree. Most are hoping and praying for that magic 2.i because if you get a dreaded 2.ii that obviously means that you will never get a job, you will never be successful and your life will be pants henceforth.
So I'd like to take this opportunity to re-asure and perhaps dispel some the silly stigma attached to getting a 2.ii. Yes, getting a 2.i probably will make things easier if your applying for graduate schemes that specify that you need a 2.i to be considered but that's because when you apply your application, along with hundreds of others is sifted by numbers, so you may have years of experience but you cocked-up your degree so its ta-ta at the first hurdle. Even then if that grad scheme is where you want to be I would suggest doing some research and finding out who the important contacts are and sending them a bloody good cover letter that screams' I CAN DO THAT JOB!'.
From my own experience I came out with a 2.ii in Biology from Cardiff University in 2012. It was high 2.ii but a 2.ii nonetheless. I had had problems with projects etc during my final but I'm already tried of explaining what went wrong and excusing my mediocre grade. I know that I am capable of understanding biological science well, I'm just a bit dodgy in exams.
Before I had graduated I had secured a 6 month Trainee Regional Officer position with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW now Natural Resources Wales) in the North Wales region. When I had the interview I didn't know my degree class. In fact they didn't even ask what I was expecting. What they did ask about was my strengths, my weakness', the work that CCW did and what it promoted and where I would like to be in the future.
When I started my job my boss asked me what I got in my degree and I told him. His response was: 'Well, it doesn't make any difference these days. Back in the day it determined what you got paid but now it's all experience. Don't worry about it.' And since then I haven't.
That job was fantastic and as a result I can now whack 6 months conservation experience on my CV with the added bonus that it was paid.
When I left CCW (a very sad day) I moved back to Cardiff to start work for the National Autistic Society Cymru working in PR and External Affairs. A totally different area of work for me and has made me realise that I would like to work in this sector in future but in an environmental policy setting. I was determined to make the most of it, I learnt so much about politics and policy in Wales/UK and how your AMs and MPs are there to be pushed to gain support and how they are willing to help you too. Although this post was temporary I've brushed up office skills, phone skills, organisational skills and have a much better understanding about how the country works. It looks good on my CV.
So that's 2 good jobs for the girl who got a 2.ii. Not doing too bad.
Well, I applied to do a masters in Swansea in Environmental Biology, Conservation and Recourse Management and they have offered a place. I am no waiting to hear from the European Social Fund (ESF) as to whether I get funding or not. I am in the difficult position that if they say no I won't be able to take the place. I am not willing to put myself in £10000+ more debt (at the moment). So I have everything crossed and I will find out in early July. Even then I have a few ideas up my sleeve to try and if they don't pay off then I will apply for all the degree related jobs and speculatively write letters to companies and organisations. Overall, I feel confident about my prospects for the future.I know I have the mental can-do attitude. There are opportunities everywhere, you just have to look a little harder.
My advice to all graduates goes something like this: Experience speaks a lot louder than your grades on paper. That said, always put 100% into your education.
It may sound cliche but sell yourself and toot your horn,no one else will do it for you.
Get good references, someone in a good position i.e. Personal Supervisor/lecturer that knows you well. A good ref can say more about you to a potential employer than your string of As and Bs from your GCSEs.
Keep tabs on whats going on in your chosen area-- read papers, the news, keep up with current affairs, follow relevant organisations on Twitter and Facebook.
Soon you'll realise that your degree class isn't that important because you'll find you can offer more than the ability to cough up impressive facts.
Yes it's a bummer when you thought you'd busted a gut to get a decent class and you get a 2.ii. It hurts but it isn't the end of the world and if you think it is then I suggest you go out into the world and get some perspective.
