Choosing the Right Postgraduate Course for You hhuy UCC Postgraduate Information Event February 5th 2019

There are 1000s of further study opportunities out there for you.

A lot to think about? Your undergraduate subject or a new one? Taught versus research? Level - Master, postgraduate or higher diploma? Professional accreditation? International? Delivery mode – full time, part time, online? Timing – now or later? Quality ranking? Research quality? Employment prospects? Reputation amongst employers? Location? Study abroad? Work placement? Cost? When?

Key Terminology “Post”-graduate programmes Taught Certificate – 30 credits Diploma - 60 credits - 9 months Master’s 90+ credits - 1 year + Research: Master’s 15 months + PhD 3 years + Funding – Research versus Taught “Conversion” programmes? Graduate Apprenticeships?

Why are you choosing Postgraduate Study? “I don’t want to leave college”. “If I leave now, I’ll never come back”. “My friends are all applying for postgrads”. “I love my subject and want to gain more knowledge and skills”. “I want to improve my job prospects and know that this course will help me to access opportunities”. “I want to work in a new area”.

How can I tell if a course will help my career prospects? Because… “I know what I want from a postgraduate course”. “I know that what course will fit well my personal interests,, strengths and aspirations”. “I’ve consulted with employers in my field”. “I’ve researched the career paths of past graduates”. “This postgraduate course is professionally accredited”. “There is a healthy demand for graduates of this qualification”.

What do you want from a Postgraduate course? New or more specialist knowledge New skills Work placement or industry experience To learn from the best academics in my field Research experience A professional qualification Study abroad experience

Have you researched the career paths of past graduates? Ask the course coordinator about the destinations of past graduates. Ask for “First Destination Reports” (UCC Careers can provide these). Find past graduates on LinkedIn (review individual profiles). Ask coordinators to put you in touch with graduates. Conduct “informational interviews” with past graduates (at least one!) https://career.berkeley.edu/Info/ InfoInterview

Have you consulted employers in your chosen field? Contact relevant professional societies. Find relevant industry networks. Attend on campus fairs and presentations. Attend professional events. Research companies on LinkedIn. Talk to recruitment consultants.

Influences on Your Decisions Your Thinking Expectations Feedback Support Modelling Information Beliefs/Generalisations

https://careersportal.ie/work_employment/labourmarket.php

Having you researched funding? Scholarships SUSI Grant Erasmus+ Master Loans ICT Skills Conversion UK Bursaries? Tax Relief on Fees

Have you considered the alternatives? Work to gain more experience? Work abroad? Graduate apprenticeships? Professional exams? Online courses? Internships?

Fast-Growing Industries Information Technology Healthcare Energy Efficiency / Environmental E-Learning Microelectronics Manufacturing Productivity Composite Materials Social Networking Business Services – esp. Multilingual Telecommunications Food Care of the Elderly Business & Personal Coaching Personal Wellbeing Medical Devices & Technology Accounting (some more than others) Digital Media – eg -gaming, mobile media, animation Alternative Power Generation Financial Regulation and Control Corporate Compliance Life Sciences Biotechnology

Good Combinations Logistics and languages Marketing/sales and languages Sales and product knowledge Finance and quantitative modelling Finance and law Statistics and software modelling Software architect and business Web design; animation; programming www.sineadenglishassociates.ie sinead@sineadenglishassociates.ie

Online Resources Qualifax Course Finder - Find out which courses are offered where in Ireland – the directory: www.qualifax.ie Careers Portal - Find out which occupations are in demand in Ireland – along with up-to-date industry news and industry and professional networks and associations across all sectors in Ireland: www.careersportal.ie GradIreland - The National Graduate Recruitment website: www.gradireland.com Prospects UK – Quality graduate careers website – www.prospects.ac.uk Springboard - Find out more about funded ICT programmes and more: https://springboardcourses.ie/ Apprenticeships - Find out more about graduate apprenticeships: http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/ApprenticeInfo.aspx

Some Decision-Making Tools Action Planning How might postgraduate study complement my career goals? Priority Grid Which postgraduate options should I prioritise? Forcefield Analysis (Pros vs Cons) Should I take this offer or not? Should I study now or later?

Action Planning: SWOT Analysis What are my Strengths? What are my Weaknesses? Where are the Opportunities? What are the potential Threats?

Forcefield Analysis

Priority Grid Criteria (Rate 1-5): Interest Level International Experience New Skills (e.g. IT) Etc. Final Score Weighting (1-3): Options: Rate x Weight Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Course 4

How can we help? Impartial, confidential consultations Psychometric self-assessments Student-centred advice “First Destinations” reports for UCC programmes Application feedback We’re here for you!

www.ucc.ie/careers