Post graduate students
The Careers and Employment Centre offers the same support to postgraduate students as it does to undergraduate students in terms of one-to-one guidance, workshops and access to resources. The Information Room within the Careers & Employment Centre at Helena Kennedy Student Centre contains information specifically relevant to postgraduate users. To find out more please call into the Centre and chat to the Information Staff who will be very happy to help you. You can also refer to the 'About Us' section of this website. The following sections also apply to all postgraduate students:
The 6 Step Career Guide provides an action plan for your next step, including other relevant links such as Prospects Planner, a computer aided guidance programme.
These resources will help you to make career decisions. They include help on getting to know yourself, researching types of jobs and sectors, and information on using your contacts and networks. You will be encouraged to keep an open mind: don’t reject a type of career without some idea of what that job is first. Make full use of the services we provide to help you.
Postgraduate skills
The skills you will have developed during your course of study are a good match to what employers are looking for and include the following:
- Academic Skills – these can demonstrate your commitment and the ability to work to a high standard in writing and research
- Analysis – you will be able to demonstrate the key issues and problems, and be able to pick out what is relevant and important from complex information
- Communication skills – being able to listen effectively, speaking coherently and clearly, an ability to communicate arguments fluently in writing and orally
- Maturity – good organisational skills, not giving up easily when things are difficult, working independently
- Working with others – teamwork, leadership and the ability to motivate others
- IT skills – knowledge of statistical packages, spreadsheets, databases, word processing
- Intellectual skills – the ability to come up with and demonstrate new concepts and ideas
MPhil or PhD?
You may have extra skills to offer in overcoming difficulties and solving problems associated with pursuing original research.
You will be capable of working independently and managing you own time and work, as well as working to tight deadlines set by supervisors.
This is evidence of original and creative thinking.
You can logically argue your case and not be deflected by the views of others.
Other useful resources on the Prospects website specifically for Postgraduate students include :
- What do Postgraduates do?
- Your Masters... What Next?
- Your PhD... What Next?
In recent years more students have opted to study after their first degree and the numbers continue to rise. Even with increasing numbers, most postgraduates are employed when they complete their course of study. The type of work that postgraduates do to some extent depends on the subject of study, but also the skills and experience of each individual. All students, including those who aim to enter an academic career, will have to show evidence of good organisational, interpersonal and communication skills (link to skills bit) in addition to subject knowledge.
Deciding on a potential career will need careful research and time, you will have the skills for the former but the latter may be in short supply! You will need to investigate the careers that are open to you and be clear about the skills and abilities required for these jobs. Try to look beyond the superficial information sometimes provided, especially in job adverts. Also think about the lifestyle implications, such as the responsibilities do you have to consider, such as family and location.
Sources of jobs and employers:
- Your academic tutors will have expertise and links to other academic departments and employers in their field. They can be a very useful source of advice and contacts – use them!
- Our vacancy database, Talentbank, contains a range of opportunities for local, regional and national vacancies.
- Local and National newspapers (link to appropriate page) The Guardian is particularly useful with different sectors on different days, for example Media jobs on Monday, Society (often public sector) jobs on Wednesday.
- Specialist journals, for example New Scientist, Nature, Times Higher Education Supplement and PR Week. Look in the library catalogue for a comprehensive list. (link to library)
- For information on Employers look at the Employers Section.
- Professional bodies, for example, Imech E and ICEAW, click here.
- Recruitment Agencies link to sections on (looking for a job and employers sections)
Developing a successful application
For information on developing an effective application either by employer application form or CV and covering letter go to the applying for a job section (link), which includes examples of an academic CV and a postgraduate CV. You will also find advice and information on how to prepare for an interview, including video clips.
And the Research councils Graduate Schools Programme UK Grad Programme is invaluable for PhD students.
These programmes are an excellent way of gaining and understanding your skills. You will be able to meet people working in industry and the public sector, work on case studies and business simulations and find out about the wide variety of jobs open to you.
Other useful weblinks:
- FindaPhD.com - A comprehensive guide to current scientific research and PhD studentships. The database contains details of research topics from many major Universities and institutions throughout the UK and Ireland.
- FindAPostDoc.com - A new site exclusively dedicated to advertising post-doctorial positions.
- North West Employer’s Needs and Expectations of Postgraduate Skills - Research that aims to look employers’ expectations of postgraduate skills and the impact of post-graduates on the companies that employ them.
- Prospects Apply Online - Free online application facility provided by Prospects for UK and International Students to apply for postgraduate research opportunities in the UK.
- University of London Online Careers Library - Contains a section with useful resources aimed at Postgraduate Researchers.
- Jobs.ac.uk - On-line vacancy resource of jobs in universities.