Postgraduate & Research - Career Strategy for Masters Students
Whether your course is vocational or purely academic you need to plan an effective career strategy.
If you have studied for a vocational qualification, your course will be directly tailored to enhance your knowledge and understanding of your chosen field. You should take every opportunity to establish contacts in your professional field by networking and undertaking work experience. You can reinforce these links by attending conferences and seminars whilst simultaneously keeping up-to-date with developments in your sector.
If your course is semi-vocational, giving you an insight into a particular industry, you will now need to focus on the specific opportunities available in this field. Alternatively you might want to use the broader employability skills you have developed which can be applied to a wide range of career options.
If your course is purely academic, you need to decide whether you wish to undertake a higher research degree, (a pre-requisite if you are intending to pursue an academic career), or whether you wish to enter the job market.
Whatever the nature of your course, it is a good idea to take time to plan your career strategy by first undertaking a self audit to look at your skills and attributes and to explore your motivations, needs and values.
If you have already decided on your future career path, it is a good idea to do a ‘reality check’ to make sure you are well matched to your choice. The Careers Centre has resources to help you explore your options.
FIND OUT MORE...
Also on our website:
Creative jobsearch- How to create your own opportunity.
Plan your career.
Networking- How to establish contacts.
Employability skills-How to identify and develop your skills.
Useful links:
SDDU Graduate Training & Support - Academic training and support for postgraduate students.
Prospects- Getting a Job- Information on choosing your career.
What do Postgraduates do? - An overview from Prospects which also looks at subject area.
FindAPhD.com - Postgraduate research degrees, PhD studentships & scholarships.
How we can help:
Careers advice.
Careers information/resources.
Download here:
Prospects- Your Masters...What next?
Careers events:
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