One in four students risking career by excessive drinking
Written by News on 18/09/2017
One in four students is harming their career prospects by drinking too much, according to new research.
A study of 9,000 students and graduates found a strong link between young people who drink excessively and those who do not have clear career goals.
In contrast, those who did not drink large quantities had a clear idea of their future job plans.
The news comes as figures show that more teenagers are heading to university than ever before.
Government guidelines advise men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week but this new research shows many students are drinking more. It also suggests that, the more they drink, the less likely they are to have clear career goals.
Questioning 9,000 students and graduates, 24% admitted they drink excessively – more than 20 units a week. Of these, 63% had no idea what job they’ll do after graduating. Some 58% drink once a week, no more than seven units. Of these, 76% were very optimistic about securing a job in the next six months.
Ben Thompson, 21, who is a student at the University of the West of England, said: "I think we’re all the same: when we’re hungover, we’re more likely not to go to uni, miss our lectures."
The research was carried out by an organisation called Magnet.me which connects businesses with graduates. They said employers are often concerned graduates are not always properly prepared for work.
Bilal Mahmood, from Magnet.me, said: "The research essentially tells us that students – their social lives – do impact their future career options – and students should use that time in their university lives more wisely and prepare themselves properly for what the world of work is actually going to be like."
But students we spoke to disagreed on the impact that drinking at university can have on choosing a career.
Jack Reed, a 20-year-old business student, said: "You see a lot of people failing because they go out all the time.
"Drinking just becomes what they do all the time and it’s quite easy to fall into that at university because you have so many businesses aiming alcohol at you."
But Jack Evans, 20, a property student, said: "I went out and drank quite a lot at uni, but it might have helped that I knew what I wanted to do before I went to uni anyway."
(c) Sky News 2017: One in four students risking career by excessive drinking
