University students have told how they are more anxious than excited about starting their careers after graduation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
They noted that work experience placements and internships are already being cancelled as a result of the crisis.
And more than two in five third-year students said Covid-19 has changed their perceptions of entering the job market, according to a new poll.
The findings, published in a paper from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), suggest some students are concerned about the economy and recruitment freezes, while others are worried about entering professions like healthcare, which have been affected by coronavirus.
However, the survey of 1,039 undergraduates suggests that more than three in four (79 per cent) feel confident about securing a graduate level job once they leave higher education.
But when asked about their feelings towards entering the labour market, more students (28 per cent) cite anxiety as their primary emotion, ahead of confidence (23 per cent) and excitement (14 per cent).
The poll, carried out for HEPI by YouthSight between March 27 and April 1, found that nearly a third (29 per cent) of students said the Covid-19 pandemic has altered these feelings.
But 42 per cent of third-year students say the coronavirus crisis has changed their perception.
Rachel Hewitt, director of policy and advocacy at Hepi, said: "These results show students feel confident about finding work, but anxious about starting their career.
"This anxiety has been there since before the current pandemic for many students, but for almost a third the current circumstances have exacerbated these feelings.
"Universities need to provide as much support as they can for students who are entering the labour market in such uncertain times and employers need to be mindful of these results in their hiring processes."
