Success is something that every university graduate craves, but something that is becoming increasingly elusive as a result of the current state of the global jobs market.
While opportunities may have diminished, graduates' desire to use their skills and make something of themselves has not - if no one is willing to hire them, these young guns simply hire themselves.
The Independent, a UK-based newspaper, recently ran an article covering this very issue, case studying a company called Integro Languages.
The article, entitled Adventures in Micro Business, gives a taste of the entrepreneurial spirit being demonstrated by university grads in the UK, but is relative to the rest of the world owing to the global nature of joblessness.
Informative for the reader, the article will have also greatly benefitted Integro Languages as a result of the online PR generated for the company by the article.
While at Anglia Ruskin University studying for a degree in European business with French, Tom Bool realized how he could best use the skills he was learning at the institution in order to make money once outside of it.
Owing to the nature of his degree, a move into the translation business was perhaps an obvious one. Mr Bool needed something unique however, something that had yet to be fully utilized.
He spent six months working on the business model for an on-demand translation service made up of a pool of linguists that he could draw upon when needed.
Once he had his talent - which included 20 different languages - Mr Bool launched the product.
Website developers with international clients were intended to be the initial targets and Mr Bool began a telesales campaign.
The unresponsiveness of the market forced the business-owner to look elsewhere, and he found an unexpected niche in social housing.
He told the news provider: "Tenants with poor English skills get translations of legal documents and other formal notices that are easy to understand and yet contain all the key information needed."
Law firms are particularly keen on the concept and Integro languages, with the ability to translate all manner of documents including legal agreements, letters from foreign banks and "even notices from town halls", provides an effective service.
Integro Languages doubled its turnover last year and now offers services in 150 languages. Not satisified with the success he has manufactured, Mr Bool is already planning additional products and company expansions.
For this entrepreneurial graduate, the recession-inflicted UK unemployment rate was, perhaps, a blessing in disguise.
© Adfero Ltd
