Name: Robert O Neill

Student Number: 140620

Assignment: One Part B
Page Number:

Finding Employment After

Studying
After obtaining a degree in Business Management the road to
employment has not been the easiest for Alejandro Narvaez. They
ask for a lot of experience which makes it very difficult to be
employed. Indeed the situation for newly graduated students in
Spain is rather bleak. With almost one in three being unemployed in
the South it makes finding a job close to impossible.
So what can a graduate do to gain such experience? Studying
languages such as English, obtaining a Masters or applying for
internships, are some of the ways to bulk up your CV and give
yourself a better opportunity he informs me. With colleagues of his
having to move to other parts of Spain, such as Madrid, and further
afield to Germany, The UK or Ireland, such a situation has not arisen
for Alejandro. As opportunities are limited both at home and abroad,
the initial cost to embark on a risky search for employment is
extremely high and an impossibility for some. Its a fantastic option
but one that is a little out of reach at the moment.
Many factors in Spain have been affected by the current economic
downturn, none moreso than the universities. With teaching
performances continuing to be below par this has not been the main
cause of the decrease in numbers. Higher fees, have caused this he
tells me. While having justifiable ire towards the Spanish
governement for not having taken the correct measures from the

beginning, he believes that it still has not improved. They have

followed the strict measures put in place by the E.U. Measures of
austerity similar to those that were laid down in other European
countries some four years ago.
As little improvement has been seen in the last few years, Spains
road to recovery does not appear to be coming to an end. Wth
unemployment rates sky-high and showing little sign of reduction, the
property market continuing stagnantly and taxes being increased,
Alejandro believes that a different method could be taken.
Encouraging public spending is crucial. If we lower the tax rates,
people will be less inclined to save and hopefully spend more, thus
increasing the flow of money. Indeed it is a measure that has certain
positivity but is it a viable solution? With strict tightening from the
E.U. would such a solution be permitted? Possibly, he responds and
adds that greed has been a huge factor during the boom years in
Spain. People have been very greedy with wanting more and
permitting themselves more than they can perhaps afford.
As the interview came to a close I had one final question regarding
advice to students and Alejandro stresses that learning a language
from the beginning is fundamental to succeeding and finding
employment. Losing that fear factor of moving abroad, he
concludes is very important to giving yourself the best employment
opportunities.
Alejandro is currently employed by Language Stays in Jerez de la
Frontera, Spain.