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PUT AN EXTRA EDGE TO YOUR CV
The labour market today is increasingly swamped by graduates from one discipline or another.
What can you do to stand out? Caroline Yap looks at the options available.
Everyone has one. Or aspires to have one. Or dreams of having one. It’s difficult to accept, but these days, a degree is scarily close to becoming a dime a dozen. Gone are the days of standing out just because you had a degree in hand. Rather, graduating now, you join the ranks of a crowd that grows bigger every day.
This is mainly because tertiary education has become more accessible over the years. We have twinning programmes that have brought universities from around the world to our doorstep - making it more affordable. There are more institutions offering more varied courses. There are more ways you can gain entry into an institution of higher learning. There are also options to study for a degree by doing it part-time or through a correspondence course. Even those without specified qualifications can now take bridging courses and gain entry into a university.
The pathways and opportunities have definitely multiplied. And these opportunities have enabled more young minds of Malaysia to seek an education. It's raised our standards higher. And all this is good.
In some jobs, having a postgraduate qualification is becoming almost a prerequisite. Employers are getting more demanding, the competition is heating up and everyone everywhere just expects more.
STRIVING TO STAND OUT
Yet we cannot deny that with more people coming out with paper qualifications, whether or not they are reflective of actual skills and abilities, it has become that much harder for one person to stand out from within the piles of CVs. Graduates today have to strive harder to gain recognition of what they can do. So, what makes you stand out? What can you do to make sure you are seen?
These are questions that have become increasingly urgent for the young graduate. As a solution, many have started to work towards higher qualifications and certifications. These include everything from master's programmes, to specialised courses and professional qualifications.
In fact, in some jobs, having a postgraduate qualification is becoming almost a prerequisite. Employers are getting more demanding, the competition is heating up and everyone everywhere just expects more.
TYPES OF QUALIFICATIONS
There are many different routes you can take towards getting postgraduate qualifications. There are the traditional master's and PhD programmes which come in different forms - research-based, taught or a mixture of both.
Research-based courses allow you to conduct your own research in a topic of your choice. This is usually something you would do if you are thinking of getting into a more technical research area.
Depending on the field you are working in, a postgraduate qualification can be of great use or of no use at all.
Taught courses are lecture-based and designed to give you more in-depth knowledge of what
you studied before, or they can be used to study a new field. For example, if you have a first degree in Economics, but you have always had an interest in IT, it is possible to take up a masters in IT provided you have some basic knowledge of the subject.
Professional courses are those that certify you in your particular area of expertise, for example certifications from bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA),
Chartered Financial Analyst Association and so on.
One of the more popular postgraduate programmes today is the Master's in Business Administration (MBA). This course usually has modules in finance, management, marketing and the like. And in the business and management world, it has become almost a necessity to have one.
IS THIS WHAT YOU NEED?
But is a postgraduate qualification really what you need? Depending on the field you are working in, a postgraduate qualification can be of great use or of no use at all.
If you are working in research areas such as in laboratories or in academia, you will find that having a PhD is essential. Those in professional work such as accounting or IT will also gain significantly from professional certifications. Furthering your studies can also demonstrate to your employer the passion and interest that you have in your chosen field. Having the initiative and the determination to strive for these goals gives a good impression of someone who is willing to work hard and learn hard.
Some fresh graduates continue with their studies immediately after their first degree because they feel unprepared to join the working world. The danger in this is that you will not be letting yourself be exposed to the realities of jobs out there and may instead be hindering your growth. If there are skills that you feel you still need to hone, then consider part-time study. In general, most postgraduate programmes are best utilised after you have had some work experience. Also, don't make the mistake of using studies to tide over periods of indecision. If you haven't decided what you want to do in your career, then embarking on a postgraduate course will be of no specific use.
Find out why you are not employable and then decide if taking up courses and further studies will help to fill the gaps that you have.
NO HARD AND FAST RULES
Of course, there are no hard and fast rules. Studying can be an option if you are finding it hard to find a job. Find out why you are not employable and then decide if taking up courses and further studies will help to fill the gaps that you have.
Many people also pursue such courses in the hope that it will give them a better level of income. This can be true in some circumstances (it is common for those with MBAs to gain substantial financial ground), but not always so. Having an extra qualification does not necessarily mean you will be more marketable.
You have to be sure that your studies are seen as relevant by the employer. And the time you have spent pursuing it will be off-set by the experience you would have lost in the field. Many believe that it's the hands-on experience that matters rather than another paper qualification and are wary of those with too many qualifications. You can end up being labelled over-qualified when trying to get back in to the work arena if you are not careful.
Postgraduate qualifications can be an asset or a liability. Consider carefully what your career goals are, check what the job market wants and then make a decision. So, before you embark on your journey, consider what your career goals really are. Then decide if postgraduate qualifications will help you achieve them. It's a good idea to ask around and find out if employers are in the same frame of mind as you are. Will they want to employ you when you finish? Is what you gain from it worth the money and effort you put in?
Some fresh graduates continue with their studies immediately after their first degree because they feel unprepared to join the working world.
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