Page 55 - Linkline Autumn 2016

The Class of 2016: What Students Expect in a Career in Logistics & Transport
Each year Gradireland, Ireland’s leading provider of graduate information and insights, surveys almost 10,000 students across 13 different sectors to gauge their views and expectations for their careers
The survey reveals the employers who graduated in the logistics and transport section would most like to work for. Like last year’s research, the top three places are occupied by Aer Lingus, Ry- anair and the Dublin Airport Authority. DCC jumps from seventh to third place while Hertz, Stena Line, DHL Bus Eireann and the IAA all retain their places in the top ten.
Of the 301 students in this sector surveyed, 66% were female with an average age of 23. 65% were eager to complete an in- ternship in the logistics and transport sector, while 80% believed that any internship would be of benefit to their careers. They expect to work an average of 42 hours a week and 80% plan to find their first job in Ireland, down from over 26% last year, and they expect their first job to last an average of four years.
There is still considerable caution in the air for graduates though, with over 60% believing it will be tough to get a good job in 2016, with 64% saying they worried about their future career path, the second highest of the 13 sectors surveyed, after
the public sector at 72%. But there is considerable confidence amongst the class of 2016 when it comes to their degree, with 60% believing it equipped them with the skills necessary for the workplace.
Idealism abounds in the class of 2016 and 68% believe it is more important to have fulfilment from work rather than earning a large salary, and 56% would accept a lower salary if it meant an employer would invest in their personal development.
Work life balance is also a huge factor for students in this sector, with 60% believing that taking time out of work for your family would not have a negative career impact, the highest of any sector surveyed.
There is definitely an entrepreneurial aspect to this year’s gradu- ates too, with 27% saying they were thinking of setting up their own business after graduation. That’s the second highest, after consulting, of any of the sectors surveyed.
(The results of the survey will be published in mid-October in Ireland’s 100 Leading Graduate Employers, which will be avail- able for download from gradireland.com)
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 55
CLASS OF 2016