More graduates are opting for social care jobs, as they are so rewarding and satisfying, according to many in the profession. One girl who graduated with a degree in Literature, decided she wanted a more meaningful job in the field of social work.

Colette Lotscher is 24 and despite having a degree in something totally different, she now works as a personal care assistant in Greenwich, London. She says: "I was going to do a Masters, but then I realised I needed to do something meaningful and important for other people. After spending all that time studying, I just wanted to do something real."

Being a carer comes with emotional pressure and demanding challenges, but for some graduates, working in social care has proved the most satisfying step they've taken yet.

Social care workers are often confused for social workers, but the two are distinctly different; you need an honours degree to practise as a social worker, but you don't typically need any particular qualifications to go into social care as a carer.

Over the next few years, the Department of Health is expected to advertise 200,000 job vacancies in the social care sector which will provide opportunities for graduates and career changers who want to work at care level. Phil Hope, care services minister, says: "With the number of people who may need help with day-to-day tasks set to grow, this is a sector that will offer an increasing number of opportunities for those looking for jobs. Workers in social care have a big, positive impact on the people­ they work with."