Campus to career: a graduate perspective on the usefulness of their degree

Purpose Accessing higher education (HE) in the UK has been a primary pathway for school and college leavers for the past two decades. The present study, through a case study approach, aims to explore graduates’ evaluations of the usefulness of university education by examining their evaluations of skill development, employability-focused learning and the usefulness of both over time as their career develops. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews, this study involved 33 graduates who had completed their studies at the university within a 10-year period. Findings Over time, the programme components that initially helped graduates secure their first jobs lose significance. Within the first 1–3 years after graduation, the degree remains a positive factor in job interviews. However, for those who graduated more than four years ago, the focus shifts towards the overall university experience and the value of friendships. The utility of the degree diminishes as experience gained from previous job roles becomes more prominent. Graduates who left university 6–10 years ago recognise the usefulness of certain elements from their university experience, underscoring the importance of reflection, continuous learning, and seizing new opportunities for personal development. However, one factor remained important for all individuals: their transferable skills. Originality/value Despite evidence highlighting the importance of employability-focused activities for student development, there still needs to be more research on the link between learning perceptions, developed competencies and students' readiness for employment. This case study aims to fill this gap by examining the perspectives of HE graduates.