Why undertake postgraduate study?
Lifelong learning is now an essential component of participation in the workforce. New and updated skills are constantly required. Most people will have several different jobs over their career and many will change their focus several times during their working life.
There are many reasons why people choose to undertake further study:
- To expand or update their knowledge in their own field
- It may be that their career area requires them to have a professional qualification and postgraduate study may be one way or the only way to achieve this qualification.
- Some people do further study because they feel that their first degree needs supplementing and they want to study more subjects or do research related to aspects which interest them.
- They may wish to undertake study a specialist branch of their present field.
- Some people really enjoy their subject and want to know more.
- To broaden their knowledge by studying in a new field
- Many postgraduate awards are available to students who do not have previous qualifications in the same field. In this case the postgraduate degree is a type of “conversion course” that you can use to increase your knowledge of the new area and to convince potential employers that you are suitable for a position.
- Remember employers want you have a good degree, but they also want you to have other skills and often experience as well.
- People may decide to do a research degree so they can be an academic or so they can take a position that requires research.
- To enhance career prospects
- Either straight after finishing an undergraduate degree, while in an existing position, retraining after having been made redundant, ‘seeing the writing on the wall’ or if they decide to branch out into a new career.
- Many people undertake further study so they stand out from the crowd and are able to be competitive when they apply for new positions or when going for a promotion.
- Many people believe undertaking postgraduate study will ensure they get paid more. You will need to research the area you would like to go into to see if this is the case. Some employers may require experience to complement your new qualification.
- By undertaking further study you may show you have other skills, project management, time management, self-motivation, communication skills written and spoken
- For pure enjoyment or to learn new and interesting things which are not necessarily work related.
Click on the following links to find out more details about choosing postgraduate study.