subject: How Can A Masters Improve Your Chances Of Finding Work? [print this page] In todays economic climate the job market is extremely competitive. One of the most strongly affected groups in society is university graduates. Those who have recently qualified with a Bachelors degree are finding they are overqualified for basic office work, and employers dont want to risk hiring them because they are concerned they will not find the work challenging enough and will leave as soon as a better offer comes along. On the other hand, job roles that require certain expertise are inundated with applicants, and employers can choose from a selection of people who not only have all the right qualifications, but often have between three and five years experience in the field. New graduates are caught somewhere in the middle with all the knowledge and expertise but a lack of practical experience.
So what can you do to overcome this tricky situation? If you are looking to apply for a professional role but do not have enough relevant experience, there are a couple of options you could explore. One is to apply for an internship within a company. An internship is usually an unpaid job that lasts for a short agreed time period of around six weeks to six months. You should expect to receive all the relevant training in order to carry out your role and if you are lucky it will lead to a full time job. If you are unable to apply for work within the company providing your internship then you will at least have achieved a further step towards finding full time employment. The main downside of internships is they are not regulated and you do not gain a recognised qualification. You may also run the risk of being taken advantage of if the employer asks you to work for longer than the agreed period.
Another option is to continue in education with a postgraduate course. This idea may seem daunting at first, particularly if you have just spent three years or more studying for your degree, but most Masters courses will require just one additional year of study. You should choose your course carefully, ensuring it will provide you with the specific knowledge you need to apply for your ideal job. Masters degrees are a great way to focus on one area of expertise and your university school will have numerous external contacts you can build on to assist you in finding work once you graduate.
