Early Careers Survey 2022

Many recent graduates already plan to leave their current employer as they rethink career decisions made during the pandemic - while across all groups responding to our Early Careers Survey 2022, taking care of mental health has been a significant challenge over the last 12 months

Key findings

• 55% of respondents said taking care of their mental health was their biggest challenge of the last year.
• Sixth form/college students (64%) and university students (63%) also struggled to stay motivated in their studies and job search.
• School students were particularly reliant on their families for careers advice (65%) but a significant proportion of university students also turned to their families too (40%).
• 79% of student respondents managed to complete some form of work experience in 2021.
• 40% of 2021 graduates said they planned to leave their current employer this year.
• Higher education students were more open to a mix of online/on campus teaching than further education learners.
• One in ten respondents indicated that they didn't do an apprenticeship because their parents were against it.

What's inside

This report includes information on the following themes:

• Careers advice and guidance
• Work experience
• Gap years
• Career planning
• Jobs and apprenticeships
• Studying next steps

About the report

Users of Prospects.ac.uk were surveyed between 10 January and 8 February 2022 to find out about their career plans and their experiences over the previous 12 months. The data presented within this report is based on the responses of 5,255 Prospects users, including school pupils, sixth form/college students, university students, apprentices/trainees, graduates and those not in employment, education or training.