PG study / Career Development Gayle Scott Careers Consultant Careers Centre

Preamble Some thoughts: PG study is booming – is it right for you? –Economic climate – extremely competitive –Employability – 97% in employment within 1 year (British Council*) –Earnings – 1/3 to a 1/5 more (over your career) than UG degree holder (British Council*) YES! – if you choose the right course for the right reasons! * Quoted from Prospects – Jobs & Courses magazine - issue 24 (11/05/11) pg10

Reputation … “With a graduate unemployment rate that is lower than the famous universities in the country,…, plus a flourishing reputation for research, high student satisfaction rates and ambitious plans for its picturesque campus, Robert Gordon University is the Sunday Times Scottish University of the year” The Sunday Times (12 th Sept 2010)

Careers Centre What stage are you at? Enhance current career? (CPD) –Manager looking for more responsibility – MBA or MSc Project Management –Worked in role many years no progression – MSc Corporate Communication or MSc HRM –Engineer looking to specialise – MSc Oil and Gas Engineering Change direction? –Languages degree, worked in finance many years – keen get back to initial interest – MSc Information & Library Studies –Graphic Design degree, worked in role which included marketing – now wants to pursue as full career – MSc Marketing Management –Arts graduate – looking for vocational study – Graduate Diploma in Surveying Necessary entry qualification? –First degree and experience of working with people/children – Social Work or Teaching –Sports Science degree – wants be Physiotherapist – MSc Physiotherapy –LLB – to be a Solicitor – Diploma Legal Practice Personal interest? –Something new and exciting e.g. Fashion Management, IT or Journalism

Careers Centre When: Straight from an UG degree? After some work/professional experience? A career break? While working?

Careers Centre Types: Taught masters (full time / part time) –PGCert – PGDip – MSc / MBA Professional development (CPD) –Inbuilt recognition/validation from professional bodies – Charteredship Online (non campus) Research degrees Consider Time – Costs – Peer Interaction

Careers Centre The Postgraduate advantage: Professional edge / credibility / employability Career development (long term) Financial benefit No guarantees – employers still look at whole person, skills experience and personality

Consider…

Careers Centre For Competitive job market for 1 st degree graduates? It will help me improve my career prospects? I want to continue my subject? I want to improve my academic record? I am not ready for the job market? The PG is a requirement Against I might not find work afterwards? I will become over qualified? I cannot afford it? I have had enough of being a student? Weighing it up:

Suggested Action Plan 1.Clarify your career aim! 2.Check institutions links with industry and reputation and ask for DLHE results 3.Talk to employers about the qualification 4.Consider sector(s)with predicted job growth 5.Get some experience/insight 6.Research funding opportunities

Graduate Profiles MSc Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Corporate Communications Manager, Taqa Bratani, Aberdeen MSc Human Resource Management HR Adviser - Training and Development Total E&P UK Ltd MBA, Regional Director of Human Resources – Middle and Near East regions for Merck Serono, a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing. MSc International Marketing Management, Senior Account Executive, Fifth Ring, Aberdeen MSc Computing: Software Technology Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Zenith Software Limited.

Postgraduate Student feedback “Advice and support materials provided are of great help. Every visit motivates to continue the job hunt with new enthusiasm every time. I wish RGU continues this service forever and bring further improvements in it. Thanks a lot!” MSc International Business "The person who served me for my interview advice was more helpful than I was ever expecting and gave me individual treatment relevant for me." MSc Human Resource Management “I've used the drop in service and I saw a Careers Consultant shortly before a recent job interview. Very Satisfied. Impact: I think it helped me get the job; the service couldn't have been better from my point of view.” MSc Information & Library Studies "I had attended an Employer presentation then applied to the company. I had 2 Appointments, one as a prep for my telephone Interview and a second before my assessment centre. Staff were very helpful and really encouraging." MSc Software Technology “Career service is very good, as MBA student we also had additional sessions as well to help. This was very useful. Great service, comes highly recommended.” MBA

Take advice! Careers Centre is happy to offer advice and support to all potential PG students. Tel: Appointments, Drop in and telephone