The following is copied from The Society and College of Radiographers
Despite the economic recession and swingeing budget cuts, the employment future is bright for radiography students, says the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR).Hopefully when I qualify, job prospects will be as good as they have been! Time to start applying soon ahhhh!
The results of the SCoR's recent 2011 Students and Graduates Survey shows that nearly nine out of ten newly-qualifieds (89%) found a job within three months of graduation.
And within six months of qualifying, 100% of graduates had found employment. This statistic compares favourably to the UK average of 61.9% of graduates from all subject areas, and the average for all allied health service graduates (87.3%)*.
The majority of radiography graduates found work within the NHS and got their first choice of job with a permanent, full-time contract in the country/region where they studied. Only 9% said they were not working in the NHS and 12% had found work outside the region in which they studied.
A sound career choice
The main reasons students give for choosing the subject of radiography are that they are interested in a healthcare career; they want to help people and contribute to society; they have the potential to develop their career; and they feel is it likely they will find a job on graduation.
The good news is that on the whole they are not disappointed. Last year's graduates are very positive about their career choice – 87% agreed or strongly agreed their career lives up to their expectations. Plus, eight out of ten graduates left university feeling ready for the world of work (83%), with the majority of them citing the importance of their clinical placements in preparing them.
A sign of the times, the survey also shows that students and graduates are now more concerned about their long-term career prospects. Job security was cited as the most important attribute of a radiography career (77%), overtaking last year's top attribute of job satisfaction (74%). Enjoyment (73%) and career progression (66%) were also cited as important elements of a career in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography.
"The results of this year's Students and Recent Graduates Survey once again show that the vast majority of those who study radiography and complete their degrees are very satisfied with their career choice," comments Samantha Jewell, education and student officer at the SCoR.
"Even more positively, at a time of high unemployment across the UK and concerns about job security, radiography graduates are quickly finding jobs in their chosen field and are feeling prepared for the road ahead.
"I'd like to welcome all new students to the profession. Radiography is a challenging degree and career, but one which is immensely enjoyable and satisfying. These are exciting times in healthcare, and the SCoR is here to support you every step of the way. We look forward seeing your career blossom!"
To find out more about the Society and what it has to offer, click here.
* Data supplied by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
