Many UK careers services would have been disappointed to read comments implying a lack of support for students.
We do much more than offer a computer program and pamphlets. We run events that cover careers from charities and chartered accountancy to academia and actuarial work. Careers services offer students ample opportunities to gain an insight into their chosen career and to begin to find vacation and permanent jobs.
Careers services market themselves hard to students, almost from the first week they arrive. I suggest any undergraduate student reading this should make full use of their careers service early and often during their time at university. This should help avoid risk of "falling into low-paid administrative work or other casual work" later.
Gordon Chesterman
Director, University of Cambridge Careers Service