Stefan Couch Maths Careers Consultant Careers Choosing a

Stefan Couch Maths Careers Consultant Careers Choosing a Masters

Careers What do you want to cover today? 2

Careers Why do a Masters? 3

There are no jobs just for first degree graduates. I want to continue my subject. I am not ready for the job market yet. To improve my academic record. To become an academic Don’t know what career to do Better career prospects & more money 4 Careers Reasons for postgraduate study: are they valid?

Careers Any other reasons to discuss ? 5

1. What are my goals beyond PG study? 2. What is the added value of further study in terms of what I want to do? 3. Is this what the employer will value the most of all the things I might do? 6 Careers 3 Key Questions

Careers How would you choose a course? 1. Academic reputation 2. Fees and funding 3. Academic supervisors 4. Employment record 5. Careers support 6. Campus resources Research sources in “Masters Information Pack” 7

Careers Applying for a Masters • Apply to each university on their own application form: – background details – academic referees – Personal Statement – sometimes a CV • No opening or closing dates, but popular courses fill up 9

1. Start with the comprehensive guide in the “Masters Information Pack” 2. Tailor your statement 3. Think about structure & layout 4. Get a Career Consultant to look over it 10 Careers Personal Statements

Careers • Have I addressed your questions? • Any more questions? • Happy to talk about any area covered today. Book to see me or a colleague on 020 7882 8533 or call in to WG 3, Queens’ Building. • Feedback forms 11

• • Pathway: good 2. 1 or first, then Masters, then Ph. D (3 - 4 years), 1 or 2 post doc positions, 1 -3 years each (research assistant on a supervised project, some teaching here), lecturer, senior lecturer, reader, professor At QM get 120 applications for a new lecture post. • Advice: – need to love your subject – tough journey. – But it's rewarding with lots of freedom, although freedom eroded. • Skills: – academic, – perseverance, – able to work hard and on your own (particularly the Ph. D can be isolating) need to enjoy pushing the boundaries of your knowledge. 12 Careers Academic careers - Oscar Bantlow

Careers Types of Postgraduate Qualifications • MSc • Ph. D • MPhil • Certificates & Diplomas • MRes 13

2014 survey of 26 employers More roles? • some employers “recruit explicitly for those holding a particular Masters level qualification” More employable ? • “generally higher rates of employment at six months following qualification” • BUT “it does not compensate for a lack of practical skills and experiences” More money ? • “most employers do not distinguish between first and Masters degree holders in recruitment or reward arrangements” Source: HECSU: Taught Postgraduate Employability and Employer Engagement: Masters with a Purpose, 2014, Artess, Ball, Forbes & Hughes, http: //www. universitiesuk. ac. uk/highereducation/Documents/2014/Full%20 HECSU%20 repor t%20 FINAL%20130514. pdf 14 Careers Employment Outcomes