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Gloucestershire Business News

4 in 5 young adults in the South West now putting personal growth on par with career progression

New market research released today reveals that, following a turbulent year, more than fourth fifths (84%) of current university students and recent graduates surveyed in the South West want personal growth opportunities as much as career progression*.

Eight in 10 (80%) surveyed* agree that they have experienced fewer 'breakthrough moments' throughout the pandemic - moments in time where they felt they were progressing in their life, studies or work.

The national survey of 2,000 students and recent graduates for Get into Teaching1 - the national campaign aimed at encouraging people to consider teaching as a career - explores this group's views on what moments of personal achievement mean to them and how this is impacting their future career decisions.

Against a backdrop of a competitive jobs market, many young adults are now deliberating their next steps - including what professional and personal achievements they are aspiring to in their future careers.

For many of this group in the South West (40%), "breakthrough moments" in a future job role or career could mean having a positive impact on people's lives. In step with this, more than three quarters* (77%) credit their teachers from their time at school, for equipping them to achieve 'breakthrough moments' in their life so far.

For almost a third (30%) of those students and recent graduates surveyed in the South West, the pandemic has highlighted that a collection of smaller wins can be more meaningful than a big success, and more than 1 in 4 (28%) are seeking daily moments of satisfaction in a future job role.

Minji Lee, 25, a maths teacher at Henley Bank High School, Brockworth, said: "Breakthrough moments, however small or large, are a part of school life for both teachers and students. Knowing that you can have such a positive impact on people's lives that extends well beyond the classroom makes teaching a very special job role.

"For me there is no feeling like it when students finally trust you enough to have a go at questions without the fear of getting things wrong. One of the best moments I had was when a student suffering from selective mutism volunteered to answer a question for the first time in my class. When I first met her, she was always known as the 'quiet' one who would sometimes get by a lesson without saying a word, but over time I could see her growing increasingly confident and less anxious in class until she reached a point where she really started to give every question a go and contribute during whole-class discussions."

According to separate data published earlier this year, applications for graduate vacancies increased by more than 40% year-on-year, despite employers reducing their graduate recruitment by 15% last year2.

Roger Pope, spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign and a national leader of education, said: "Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic many students and graduates are re-evaluating their future career plans and considering which industries, or parts of society, they want to work in.

"Our research highlights how the newest entrants to the jobs market are looking for a career that offers opportunities for personal growth alongside traditional career progression opportunities.

"I would urge anyone who is motivated by the prospect of work that has meaning and purpose - where your achievements are rooted in helping young people to flourish in the world - to consider teaching as a career. In teaching, no two days are the same but it is also a stable career with exciting career progression opportunities."

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