1. Barbara Mac Carthy Disability Support Office

2. Overview of the session Introduction – What will I do after I graduate- what are the options Further Learning – Postgraduate study Conversion Courses

3. Introduction After you graduate – What next? Time out – Travel etc A Job – Think, Gather Information – narrow your choices and focus your job hunt What you have to offer, degree, skills work experience What interests you – hobbies, interests motivations Post Graduate Study Still not sure – some online tools gradireland Careers Report, Destinations, Prospects Planner

4. Why Pursue Postgraduate study? Trend towards highly developed skillset and specialism in many fields Business, Finance, Accounting, Science, IT, Engineering Fourth level qualification

5. Reasons why people Pursue Postgraduate study “I love my subject area” “Postgrad is essential to my chosen career area” “I want to change my career direction” “Not ready to leave college yet” “If I don’t do it now I never will” “ No jobs out there so I will stay in college until recession is over”

6. Postgraduate Study Postgraduate Levels PG Certificates Postgraduate and Higher Diplomas Postgraduate degrees are higher degree qualifications undertaken after primary honours degrees Masters PhD’s

7. What is it? Postgraduate Diploma More vocational Subject Area can be very different to degree Conversion Course Enhances Employability Chance at a new career

8. What is it? Masters Research V Taught Gain a greater insight into a specialised area Less time and less demanding than PhD Taught Programme: course work and thesis

9. What is it? PhD Original contribution to knowledge Takes several years, 3-5 Requires determination and self motivation Requires 1H or 2.1

10. 3 steps on deciding what course of action Self awareness Awareness of Options Awareness of the options that match your personal abilities, your interests and your values

11. Time to ask yourself Am I happy in my current subject area/degree discipline? Do I have enough interest and aptitude for this area to build a career on? What career opportunities exist in this field? What complimentary areas exist?

12. Factors to Consider Do Explore a number of postgrad courses Get advice from people Follow your passion Consider trying something new Don’t Choose a course because it seems cool or promises prestige Let someone else push you into a course

13. Where? Consider Place Prestige of department/institution Where past graduates of that course have gone Research track record of your supervisor Cost Research the Programme Academic Contacts Graduates Studies Office Careers Service Past Graduates Internet

14. What are Conversion Courses Taught prograduate course that enable you to “convert” your degree to a new discipline/career Found in most subject areas, Business, Arts, Humanities and IT Possible in Science and Engineering (related degree required) Available in Medicine & Health

15. Why convert? High employment rates Increased Job Prospects as these courses provide sought after, relevant skills and knowledge You will have employable profile Your degree+postgraduate training = two qualifications in different disciplines Attactive to employers

16. Increased Job prospects? Conversion courses created in response to current or predicted skills shortages e.g. HEA Skills Conversion Programme The Graduate Skills Conversion Programme Joint initative with Dept of Eduation and Science and HEA in response to Information and Communications Technology ICT skills need. Fees €2750 For further details see: http://www.hea.ie/en//skills+funding http://www.skillsireland.ie/

17. Entry Requirements Open to graduates of any discipline Some require relevant qualification Relevant experience may be required/desirable or may even compensate for absence of degree Characteristics Focussed and intense Tightly packed schedule Teaching and assignments very varied(group work, presentations reports) Work placement may be included

18. Courses on offer in UCC include:  HDip Business & Financial Information Systems  MBS in Electronic Business & Commerce  Msc in Multimedia Technology  Hdip in Management & Marketing  Hdip in Accounting & Corporate Finance

19. Popular conversion courses include  Hdip in Systems Analysis(Busines Systems Development) NUIG  GradDip in Business Studies(Smurfit School UCD)  Dip Accounting (DCU)  GradDip Business Administration (UL)  Msc in Advertising (DIT)  MA in Public Relations (DIT)

20. Popular changes in direction -  Socialwork..HDip in Social Policy….Masters in Social Work  Psychology… Conversion PG Dip in Psychology….Eligibility to apply for postgraduate degrees in psychology…..professional qualification  Allied Health professions  Physiotherapy/speech&language therapy/Occupational therapy/ dietetics  Relevant Science/social sciences/psychology  Pg Dip/MSc in Ireland & UK

21. Employers…What do they want?  You + your degree +….. transferable skills  Willingness to learn  Dependability/reliability  Self motivation  Teamwork  Communication skills  Co-operation

22. Employment Trends  40 % of Employers recruit Graduates from all disciplines  People change jobs /careers on average six times in their life

23. Career Profile: 1  Joanne Ahern BA English & History, UCC Experience: 2 years journalism(Voluntary)”College Chronicle” Postgrad: MA in Journalism DIT Job: Reporter “The Kerryman”

24. Career Profile: 2  Chloe O’Brien  BA in Sociology & French  Postgrad Course: HDip Business & Financial Information Systems  Job: Grad trainee :State Street Bank

25. Career Profile: 3  Colm O’Sullivan,  BSc Computer Science UCC  Postgrad : Diploma in Legal Studies, Kings Inns.(2 yr PT)  Barrister at Law degree (one year)  Job: Practicing barrister

26. Career Profile: 4  Miriam Kelly  BSc Nutritional Science, UCC  Postgrad: Diploma in Management & Marketing, UCC  Job: Grad trainee Kerry Group

27. Resources www.ucc.ie/careers www.gradireland.com www.postgradireland.com www.hea.ie www.pac.ie www.prospects.ac.uk http://www.ucc.ie/en/careers/destinations/ http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/ Don’t forget UCC Postgraduate Open Days 6 & 7 February 2013

28. Contact Details Barbara Mac Carthy Careers Advisor Disability Support Service South Lodge UCC Phone: 021 4903768 or 021 490 2985 Email: bmaccarthy@ucc.iebmaccarthy@ucc.ie (Thursdays and Fridays)