Thinking of postgraduate study?

Postgraduate students used to have a somewhat tweedy reputation: an eccentric bunch of sun-starved misfits steeped in musty academic tradition - with a handful of social skills if they were lucky. However as more people head back to school, hitting the books and swotting for exams is suddenly more chic than geek.

One of the main reasons for the renaissance of postgraduate study is career development. According to Professor Tanya Castleman, of Deakin University, postgraduate study feeds into the current trend towards lifelong learning by opening up opportunities for the continual renewal of professional skills and knowledge.

“These days changing careers is the norm, not the exception,” she says. “People return to study on a number of occasions throughout their working life as their careers develop.”

Further, a recent study of the career habits of postgraduates, issued by Graduate Careers Australia (GCA), reveals that they’re more likely to be in full-time employment than bachelor degree graduates, and to earn more.

So what should you consider before applying for postgraduate study?

According to Castleman, it’s vital to match your course to your professional aspirations. Think about which course will best build on your existing expertise to propel you up the career ladder. Or, select a study path that will give you the credentials to change jobs in the future.

“Employers value the right postgraduate qualification because it indicates a high level of commitment, discipline, and ability,” Castleman says. “It’s not unheard of for students to gain a promotion before they’ve even completed their qualification.”

The next step is to investigate different types of qualifications to determine where they can lead you. This is crucial if you're studying for advancement, while people building a new career from scratch should find out which industry qualifications are required - and valued - for entry into their desired profession.

Similarly, researching your university shortlist may mean extra homework, but if you’re serious about developing your career through further study you need to choose the most reputable, respected university that caters to your needs and interests. Speak with staff and students, look at university league tables, look for industry links, and weigh the cost of study against your personal objectives.

Confused about research versus coursework? Castleman says postgraduate coursework degrees, including graduate diplomas and masters by coursework, are likely to be right for you if you’re studying for career development.

“They tend to be vocationally focussed and designed with the busy professional in mind.”

And as far as study modes go, full-time on-campus learning is still the most popular. But if you plan to work while studying, then the convenience and flexibility of part-time off-campus learning might be for you.

“Also consider whether you want to combine a mix of study modes,” Castleman suggests.

Finally, if you’ve got the opportunity to do so, finding out about the employment record of postgraduates from a particular university can also be beneficial.

“It’s especially important if you’re seeking to advance in a particular professional area,” says Castleman.