When do you stop the paper chase?

Before applying for a postgraduate degree, understand what motivates you. 

Do your homework to see if specialising in a postgraduate degree will bring you closer to your ideal job. 

The advantages of undertaking postgraduate study are many but must be weighed against practical considerations, including cost. Most importantly, you must carefully consider if further study will satisfy your personal or career aims. The following reasons may help you decide whether postgraduate study is right for you.

Competitive edge

A postgraduate qualification can provide a distinct advantage for job applicants, particularly when competition is fierce. This often includes the popular MBA, which helps if you are keen to pursue jobs in the financial services or management consulting industry.

Improve career prospects

A postgraduate qualification may increase long-term earnings, although it may not necessarily enable a higher starting salary than a graduate. This largely depends on whether your chosen profession values a post-graduate degree or work experience.

Career change

Although this route is normally taken after working for a few years, conversion courses can allow those who have studied general degrees to take a different direction. You can also consider a move from liberal arts to sciences or add additional skills, such as IT, to improve employability in your target job area.

Necessary for chosen career path

Some careers require a professional qualification for entry, for example biomedical sciences, law and medicine.

Entry into academia positions

A postgraduate qualification can help to develop a deeper understanding of a specific subject area that is related to your first degree. If you are interested in academia or research positions, a Masters degree or PhD is in most cases a prerequisite for entry into the field.

Transferable skills

You can develop transferable skills through postgraduate study, such as project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork. Employers often look out for these soft skills on your CV.

Networking

You can greatly improve your employment prospects by building up a network of useful contacts. Postgraduate courses put you in touch with people in the industry and work placements can lead to possible work opportunities.

Beating the job market

When there are fewer graduate jobs available, it is tempting to assume staying on in education is the best choice for your career. The key is to research whether postgraduate study really will be advantageous for the area of employment you are pursuing. In some jobs, work experience could help you gain skills to improve your chances of securing the job you are seeking instead of a post-graduate degree.

Once you are sure of pursuing a post-graduate degree, research on the following so you can make the right decision on which program and school you will be applying to.

• Research on the types of postgraduate programs offered. Is there a difference between an MSc or a MA? Will you be opting for a double degree or a single major?
• Are you looking to pursue it locally or abroad? Do an estimate of the fees and the timeline required. Most Masters programs range from one to two years, whereas PhD programs can stretch from two and a half years to five years. Factor in accommodation and living expenses besides tuition fees. Bear in mind that foreign programs might incur a higher cost due to living expenses and exchange rates.
• There is less funding available for postgraduate study than for undergraduate courses. Do you require a study loan for the postgraduate degree or will you be tapping on your savings?
• Speak to the alumni who have completed the program you are interested in, as well as the professors who will be teaching you. Are you comfortable with the modules offered, the type of diversity the program offers, as well as networking and career placement opportunities after you graduate?