Many of Britain’s recent graduates are becoming quickly disenchanted with their careers, stuck in jobs which fail to tap into their degree education.

New research commissioned by the teacher training agency (TTA) found that half the nation’s graduates under 35 ‘fell’ into their careers rather than planning their choice of profession.

Nearly one third (28 per cent) are now bored and one fifth disillusioned.

Working in repetitive jobs that lack creativity, more than a quarter (27 per cent) are now contemplating a career switch. Concerns about choice of career appear to set in early, with typically just two years elapsing before reservations take hold.

According to the TTA, which identifies these ‘career finders’ as a potential source of new teachers, the majority of graduates (60 per cent) are unable to fully use their degree at work. This is especially true for maths (86 per cent), music (76 per cent) and science (63 per cent) graduates.

Being unable to use their university education leads to regrets for many with nearly half of graduates (48 per cent) saying they dislike the lack of intellectual challenge their role offers and over half (51 per cent) saying they would prefer a job which used their degree knowledge more effectively.

Mary Doherty, the TTA’s Director of Teacher Supply and Recruitment said: “We know that significant numbers of people have a false start when trying to find the career that’s right for them. More and more people are coming into teaching as their first choice of second career.

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“If graduates have a good degree that they want to use, secondary school teaching offers the opportunity to enjoy the intellectual challenge of their subject and the day to day enjoyment of working with young people.”

In the TTA’s study, 40 per cent of graduates said they have considered becoming teachers or would think about it in the future.

Modern language graduates are particularly unhappy. Thirty four per cent claim they are bored with their jobs. Nearly half of them (44 per cent) said they are unable to use the language skills they obtained at university and 32 per cent believe that they have lost their fluency in the language they studied.

Mary Doherty said: “We invite graduates who are planning a career change to consider teaching. Places are still available across the country to train to teach maths, science and modern languages from September - apply now as places are filling fast. For people wishing to train in these subjects and whose degree is in a related subject, there are new courses and routes to train to teach. ”

Graduates interested in teacher training should call the teaching information line on 0845 6000 991 (-992 for Welsh speakers).

This news release is issued on behalf of the Teacher Training Agency.

Notes for editors

The research was carried out by PCP data (July 2004) and is based on a sample of 1044 graduates 21-35 years old in full time employment who are not working as teachers.

Applications for most postgraduate initial teacher training courses are processed through the graduate teacher training registry (GTTR) and can be submitted online. Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the University and colleges admissions service at the UCAS website.  Current course listings are displayed on the get into teaching link.

A newly qualified teacher (NQT) can expect to start on a salary of at least £18,558 (£22,059 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £29,385 outside Londonand £34,851 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to over £90,000 depending on size of school.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6,000.

Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) with a PGCE in a priority subject (mathematics, science, modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, and information and communications technology) also may be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £4,000 after successfully completing their induction period.  

Media enquiries

Mel Garfield at Band & Brown Communications. Tel: 020 7419 7312, email mel@bbpr.com or Rachael Shaw Tel: 020 7419 7335, email Rachael@bbpr.com

General TTA enquiries

0870 496 0123