Find the course to match your career goals

Dave Kilmartin, Head of the Careers Service in Dublin Institute of Technology examines the key considerations for anyone thinking of enrolling in a postgraduate programme...

The first question to ask yourself when considering further study is: what is your motivation for undertaking the study?

• Is it to specialize – do you wish to become more expert in a given field of study?
  
• Is the qualification a requirement for a particular role which would give you career fulfilment?
  
• Do you want to change career direction altogether - if so what research have you done on the area of interest?  There are many conversion courses available.
  
• Are you considering further study ‘for the love of the subject’
  
• Are you considering further study because there is an economic downturn and you want to be seen to have ‘done something’

You need to be sure of your reasons; spend time reflecting on what motivates you, also bearing in mind your life circumstances and the vagaries of the economy. Then find the course that will best meet your needs. Otherwise you run the risk of committing time and money into a course of limited value to your career and personal aspirations.

There is evidence to say that graduates with level 9 and higher qualifications tend to have good employment rates as they develop a wide range of skills allied to a higher level of academic knowledge and expertise.

Choosing a course: Once you are happy with your reason for continuing education the following are worth considering in respect of making course choice:

• Talk to careers services, relevant employers, professional bodies, lecturers and graduates to find out what is the best course to meet your needs. This should help with the decision making.
  
• Attend postgraduate open days in the institutions you are interested in – this will allow you to meet lecturers and current students on the course and give you an insight into what the programme is really like.
  
• Investigate the employment prospects of students who have completed the postgraduate. The third level institution will have a record of the first destinations of students. 
  
• What will the course offer in terms of accreditations, exemptions, and professional recognition once you have completed it?
  
• Research the courses with similar titles as they may have different content or emphasis. You may get different professional recognitions from different universities.
  
• Do you want to study part time or full time?
  
• Should you study a taught or research based post grad course?
  
• How much does the course cost?
  
• Do I have to move nearer to the course provider?