More than three quarters of graduates think information technology is the 'geekiest' career.

IT also came second to actuarial work as the least job option.

A study of 150 graduates by Milkround.com employer Just IT asked for their opinions about six leading graduate professions: accountancy, actuarialism, engineering, investment banking, marketing and IT.

A total of 78 percent said IT was the 'geekiest' with 62 percent saying they thought it would not give them the chance to work with others. The industry was rated as "quite well paid" by 70 percent, behind engineering, accountancy and banking which were seen as "very well paid".

Sunil Duggal of Just IT said: "This survey highlights the challenge facing HR departments across the IT industry. The graduate perception is that working in technology involves a very technical and boring career.

"This perception is all wrong for the majority of IT jobs out there. More than ever before, IT teams and consultants, and tech support, are working closely with business executives and playing key roles in the success of an organisation. Alongside this responsibility comes competitive financial rewards. But this doesn’t seem to be filtering through to graduates, and it is a barrier to recruiting intelligent young blood into the industry."

Duggal continued: "Given the importance of the tech industry to our economy today and in the future, the onus is on the IT consultancies, universities, recruitment agencies and tech professionals to increase the understanding of what a job in IT actually is, and the benefits to ambitious individuals."