1. Working with Postgraduates Professional / Vocational courses
© AGCAS

2. Course examples
Courses which result in professional registration as a compulsory aspect of employment.
Includes both conversion courses and additional related higher level study.
Course titles can range from Doctorate (in Clinical psychology for example) to Masters (MA/MSc) to PgDip/PgCert and others affiliated to professional bodies such as the CIPD.
© AGCAS

3. Course examples cont. e.g. health professions allied to medicine
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
psychology (e.g. clinical, educational, forensic)
e.g. information management and IT
library and information studies
Information communication technology (ICT) conversion
e.g. social care and education
social work
careers guidance
Teaching
© AGCAS

4. Characteristics of Cohort / Issues
Self funding!
Student population
More Diverse?
Older?
Experienced
Highly motivated student group with good job knowledge
Some courses almost totally comprised of international students
Course duration.
Professional jargon.
Masters versus undergrad route into a profession.
Entry points.
© AGCAS

5. Characteristics of Cohort / Issues cont.
Placement
Preparation
Timetable/access to students
Timetable/student access to services
Discontinuing students.
Niche employment
Health service and public sector
Career Options.
© AGCAS

6. Suggested Approaches
Develop links and find out about the structure of the department
Admissions
Programme organiser
Placement co-ordinator
Significant others?
Get known
Short, tailored intro to Career Service (15 min) at beginning of course
Keep up to date with professional issues
Professional body or bodies
Sector Structure
Employment prospects
Manage academics’ expectations
Keep up to date with local and wider job market
© AGCAS

7. Suggested Approaches cont.
Educate the students
Effective collaboration
Work with the course
Use programme specification
Use course documentation e.g. reflective practice journals
Benefit from sector links
Joint delivery of some careers seminars
Use alumni as case study examples
© AGCAS

8. Case Study: MSc Social Work
Tends to attract more mature applicants than the undergrad route
Typically two year full-time courses
Need to complete DBS enhanced disclosure if accepted
Funding has recently changed – bursaries capped and institutions now given responsibility for determining who receives them
Placements quite varied – students do not necessarily experience a statutory placement
Can have the same needs as undergrad social workers in terms of support for job seeking
Tailor inputs to the group – use specific CV/personal statement examples and work in collaboration with the course
Try to do input as part of course led careers events – has much more impact and endorses more strongly what we do
Employment rates good particularly in the area of children of families where there continues to be a higher staff drop-out rate; less vacancies in adults
© AGCAS

9. Themes Building relationships. Building specialist knowledge base.
Main focus on effective transition to employment rather than career choice.
Complexity surrounding alternative options for discontinuing students/ graduates choosing non-vocational option.
© AGCAS