You hear of graduates working in local shops, supermarkets etc due to the recession. The degree therefore wouldn't have helped.
I don't think this is unique to graduates. Anyone with little experience will struggle to find a well paid job to start - especially in a recession.
Lets face it airlines, don't care whether you have a degree, as long as you have done something with your life and you can show your passion for flying
GAPAN did a survey a few years ago and rated skills as follows:
1st Team working skills
2nd Aircraft handling
3rd Leadership
4th Personality
5th Customer awareness
6th Technical knowledge
7th Education
8th Presentation and appearance
9th Previous employment
10th Family background
It made the following key points:
- Low-hour pilots will have to complete a jet introduction course.
- Airlines commonly require university entrance level education.
- Most likely age range for being offered a job is 20-30 years old.
- Some airlines express concern that many new pilots lack knowledge of commercial operations and the realities of the airline career.
Previous employment is not ranked highly.
Ref:
PilotWeb