The job survey for Leiden University's Humanities alumni who graduated between 2016 and 2020 shows that our graduates have done well over the past years.
On average, 70% of our master's alumni found a job within two months, of which 83% at academic or Dutch hbo level* (which was 74% in 2016). They usually found their first job (50%) via their network of family, friends and lecturers. But also through social media and by building work experience during their studies via an internship or part-time job. For more than half of those alumni (59%), their first job fit their expectations.
Looking back on their studies, most students are (very) satisfied with their chosen study programme. Almost three quarters of the alumni with a bachelor's and/or master's degree (72%) would choose the same study programme at the same university again.
Most of the bachelor's alumni are also (very) satisfied with the development of their career so far (56%). Merely 18% is dissatisfied. 63% of the master's alumni are (very) satisfied with their career so far, 19% is dissatisfied and the rest are neutral. Alumni in higher levelled occupations appear to be more satisfied with their job.
You acquire many relevant skills during your studies in addition to subject knowledge, such as the ability to work independently, to communicate verbally and in writing, being able to motivate yourself, and to solve problems. Building experience through an internship, part-time job and extra-curricular activities, also contributes to finding a job. Alumni with relevant work experience are often able to find a job directly after graduating (60% as opposed to 46%). Moreover, they find a job at Dutch hbo or academic level more often (85%) than alumni without this experience (81%).
Even more alumni completed an internship during their studies (44%), had a relevant part-time job (64%) or were a board member (59%).
Internship(s) in the Netherlands during your master's
Academic skills
Internship(s) abroad during your master's
Relevant work experience during your study programme
Internship(s) in the Netherlands during your bachelor's
An internship creates a better understanding of what your qualities are and what you like to do. In total, 20% of the alumni found their first job directly after their internship: 13% of all alumni were able to stay at their internship organization, and 7% found a job directly via the network they built during their internship.
Alumni say that their academic degree, internship(s) during their bachelor's or master's programme, academic skills, internship(s) abroad and relevant work experience have contributed to their career the most.