First class

Future's so bright

Two reasons to be cheerful this week: unemployment rates among graduates have dropped and wages are increasing, according to the What Do Graduates Do? 2006 report, published by Prospects careers service. The report, which looked at the career destinations of the 247,000 students who finished university in 2004, found that unemployment among graduates was down for the second year running by 0.5%, to 6.1%. The employment rate, six months after graduating, was 72%. Architecture, law and civil engineering had the lowest unemployment levels, while those studying marketing and media studies had the best immediate job prospects. The most popular sector for new graduates to enter was health, which saw employment levels rise by 0.4 percentage points, while advertising, IT and business and finance also saw increases. Average salaries, meanwhile, rose from £16,393 to £17,029.

Degree of sympathy

But this news will offer little comfort to one University of Manchester graduate, who, according to the Manchester Evening News, has been rejected for more than 80 jobs. Kelly McGrath, who graduated in drama and screen studies last year, has been told she is overqualified for junior posts and underqualified for more senior positions. McGrath said she felt so dejected she considered taking her degree off her CV. She even wondered if she "would have been better off not going to university". Fortunately, since her plight came to public attention, she's been shortlisted for two jobs. She was also offered a topless modelling contract with a national newspaper, but she's obviously not reached that level of desperation yet.

Pod fellows

Mobile phones are so last year at the University of Portsmouth. Academics in the creative technologies department are developing a programme that allows students to download course information and careers advice directly to their iPods. "Eventually we hope to have students showcasing their work to employers through podcasting," says Claire Sambrook, a senior lecturer in the department. The university also plans to use video podcasts to show potential students what life can be like studying at Portsmouth. But don't worry if your loan won't run to a new iPod - students taking part in focus groups and workshops as part of the project will be offered one free.

Monster mash

Those lucky students may be able to use their free gift to get more advice from a revamped Monster careers website. The site has updated its graduate section to include podcasts so students can download careers information and listen to advice "on the move". There is also an online graduate events calendar, company profiles and tips on interview techniques. For more, visit: http://graduate.monster.co.uk

Sweet spot

Brunel University graduate Andrew Bartlett has developed a glucose-monitoring device for teenagers, designed to reduce the stigma caused by blood testing in public. The size of a computer mouse and shaped like a pebble, the In1 kit contains all the equipment needed to check glucose levels, including a rollerball soap to sterilise the area of skin, so testers don't have to wash their hands, test strips and a monitor. Bartlett, a diabetic himself, says he wanted to design a kit that would "not draw attention to itself". Unlike teenagers themselves ...