Post Graduate Options

Barbara Mac CarthyDisability Support Office

Overview of the sessionIntroduction – What will I do after I

graduate- what are the options

Further Learning – Postgraduate study

Conversion Courses

IntroductionAfter you graduate – What next?Time out – Travel etcA Job – Think, Gather Information – narrow your

choices and focus your job huntWhat you have to offer , degree, skills work

experienceWhat interests you – hobbies, interests

motivationsPost Graduate StudyStill not sure – some online tools gradireland Careers

Report, Destinations, Prospects Planner

Why Pursue Postgraduate study?

Trend towards highly developed skillset and specialism in many fields

Business, Finance, Accounting, Science, IT, Engineering

Fourth level qualification

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”

Postgraduate StudyPostgraduate LevelsPG CertificatesPostgraduate and Higher DiplomasPostgraduate degrees are higher degree qualifications undertaken after primary honours degrees

MastersPhD’s

What is it?Postgraduate DiplomaMore vocationalSubject Area can be very different to

degreeConversion CourseEnhances EmployabilityChance at a new career

What is it?MastersResearch V TaughtGain a greater insight into a

specialised areaLess time and less demanding than

PhDTaught Programme: course work

and thesis

What is it?

PhDOriginal contribution to knowledgeTakes several years, 3-5Requires determination and self

motivationRequires 1H or 2.1

3 steps on deciding what course of action

Self awarenessAwareness of OptionsAwareness of the options that match your personal abilities, your interests and your values

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?

Factors to ConsiderDoExplore a number of postgrad coursesGet advice from peopleFollow your passionConsider trying something newDon’tChoose a course because it seems cool or promises

prestigeLet someone else push you into a course

Where?ConsiderPlacePrestige of department/institutionWhere past graduates of that course have goneResearch track record of your supervisorCostResearch the ProgrammeAcademic ContactsGraduates Studies OfficeCareers ServicePast Graduates Internet

What are Conversion CoursesTaught 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

Why convert?High employment ratesIncreased Job Prospects as these courses

provide sought after, relevant skills and knowledge

You will have employable profileYour degree+postgraduate training = two

qualifications in different disciplinesAttactive to employers

Increased Job prospects?Conversion courses created in response to

current or predicted skills shortages e.g. HEA Skills Conversion Programme

The Graduate Skills Conversion ProgrammeJoint 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+fundinghttp://www.skillsireland.ie/

Entry RequirementsOpen to graduates of any disciplineSome require relevant qualificationRelevant experience may be

required/desirable or may even compensate for absence of degree

CharacteristicsFocussed and intenseTightly packed scheduleTeaching and assignments very

varied(group work, presentations reports)Work placement may be included

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

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)

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

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

Employment Trends

40 % of Employers recruit Graduates from all disciplines

People change jobs /careers on average six times in their life

Career Profile: 1 Joanne Ahern

BA English & History, UCC Experience: 2 years journalism(Voluntary)”College Chronicle”Postgrad: MA in Journalism DITJob: Reporter “The Kerryman”

Career Profile: 2

Chloe O’Brien

BA in Sociology & French Postgrad Course: HDip Business & Financial

Information Systems Job: Grad trainee :State Street Bank

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

Career Profile: 4 Miriam Kelly

BSc Nutritional Science, UCC Postgrad: Diploma in Management & Marketing,

UCC Job: Grad trainee Kerry Group

Resourceswww.ucc.ie/careerswww.gradireland.comwww.postgradireland.comwww.hea.iewww.pac.iewww.prospects.ac.ukhttp://www.ucc.ie/en/careers/destinations/http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/

Don’t forget UCC Postgraduate Open Days 6 & 7 February 2013

Contact DetailsBarbara Mac CarthyCareers AdvisorDisability Support ServiceSouth LodgeUCC

Phone: 021 4903768 or 021 490 2985Email: bmaccarthy@ucc.ie(Thursdays and Fridays)