Careers Advice for PG Taught Students

Employers are looking for more than good grades. Work experience, such as part time work, will help you to stand out to graduate recruiters, even if it is not in a related area. This is because it will help you to evidence that you have the skills and attributes employers are seeking.

Commercial awareness is also important to employers. You need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the sector, the employer and the job role which you are applying for.  

Focussing on your achievements rather than just the duties of previous roles will help you to stand out, as will showcasing the theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained from your postgraduate study. 

Finally it is important that you target your application to the job description. You must make sure to spend time targeting CVs, cover letters and application forms for each company and job role which you application . 

The following sections will help you consider all of the above and help you stand out to employers. 

A master's student typically possesses a range of skills that have been developed and refined throughout their academic journey. These skills can vary depending on the field of study, but some common skills acquired by master's students include the following. You can draw on these when planning graduate and job applications. 

• Specialised Knowledge: Master's students acquire in-depth knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of study, often gaining a deep understanding of theoretical concepts, research methods, and practical applications.
• Critical Thinking: Master's programs emphasize critical thinking skills, enabling students to analyse complex problems, evaluate information, and make well-informed decisions based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• Research Skills: Master's students are trained in conducting independent research, including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and the ability to draw meaningful conclusions from research findings.
• Communication Skills: Master's students develop strong written and oral communication skills, effectively conveying complex ideas and research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.
• Problem-Solving: Through their coursework and research projects, master's students develop the ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems creatively, applying their knowledge and critical thinking skills to real-world challenges.
• Time Management: Master's programs require students to juggle multiple responsibilities, such as coursework, research, and potentially part-time work. As a result, master's students often develop strong time management and organisational skills.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Many master's programs incorporate group projects and collaborative assignments, fostering teamwork and the ability to work effectively in diverse teams, including individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Adaptability: Master's students often encounter new and evolving ideas and technologies within their field of study. As a result, they develop adaptability and a willingness to embrace change, which are valuable skills in today's rapidly changing work environment.

It's important to note that the specific skills acquired by a master's student will vary depending on their program of study, as each discipline has its own unique skill set and requirements.

 Commercial awareness could be summed up as an interest in business and an understanding of the wider environment in which an organisation operates: its customers, competitors and suppliers.  

It is important because it can be a major criteria for selecting candidates during a recruitment process.

The University, in collaboration with Kent Union, have developed seven graduate attributes top employers are looking for. You can gain these attributes during your time at Kent. 

Is a graduate attribute the same as a skill?

No. Employability skills are gained through deliberate and sustained effort, whereas Graduate Attributes are qualities that you will develop through your time at Kent. 

Essentially, through Curricular and Co-Curricular activity (Sports, Societies, Volunteering, paid employment) you will gain skills, which will result in the development of particular Graduate Attributes. 

To be a top graduate you need both desirable attributes and relevant skills.

The Seven Key Graduate Attributes are: 

• Confidence
• Creativity and Innovation 
• Critical Reflection 
• Global/cultural awareness 
• Integrity and accountability 
• Intellectual curiosity
• Resilience 

There are a variety of ways you can develop your graduate attributes including: 

• Getting involved in Study Plus sessions and Careers workshops 
• Getting involved in University life: Volunteering, societies and other university extra-curricular programmes can help you develop your attributes. 
• Logging your Employability Points and gaining rewards such as insight days, work shadowing, placements and internships. 

There are a number of employment opportunities open to postgraduate students.    

As a postgraduate student you are able to apply for graduate schemes and internships. The majority of graduate scheme recruitment takes place in the autumn term so do start to search and apply for opportunities in this term.  

Graduate schemes are paid roles, in a number of different sectors, which also offer training and development opportunities. They are particularly suitable for graduates with limited experience but some may be suitable for graduates with a number of years work experience, especially if you are changing career direction.  

Approx. a quarter of students nationally will be accepted onto a graduate scheme. Many graduate level opportunities exist with SMEs and larger employers, out with their graduate schemes. This route may also be the most suited to you if you are a postgraduate student with a wealth of work experience and/or are looking for management level roles or promotion rather than a training scheme.  

 If you are registered on a course with an industrial placement it is your responsibility to find and apply for placements. Please note that large recruiters will start to advertise placements in the spring term. 

 Successful applications to advertised graduate placements are competitive and you may also wish to take a speculative approach. Your Division will be able to give you more information on the placement approval process and options for your subject  

International students will need to be aware of visa requirements when seeking part time work, internships and graduate positions. 

Student Circus can help you with this. 

If you are thinking about completing a PhD you can find out more about career paths and employability by visiting the following links 

What is a PhD? – Introducing the Doctorate | FindAPhD.com 

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one? - career-advice.jobs.ac.uk