You’re in the final year of your degree with your whole life stretching out ahead of you. The possibilities are endless, the rewards numerous and the prospect… terrifying. Postgraduate study suddenly seems very appealing. But is it the best choice for you?
In today's competitive graduate job market there are no sure-fire ways to jump the queue for the best jobs, yet the reason why many undergraduates choose further study is to do just that. But for every postgraduate who starts earning megabucks, there's another left with a meaningless certificate and a meaningful overdraft.
Choosing where to study will require more thought than shutting your eyes and sticking a pin in a map. Committing yourself to spending the next year or two in a place you hate can be as disheartening as choosing the wrong course, and in some cases can make you unhappy enough to give it all up.
Once you've decided you're ready for postgraduate study, you need to think about when to start your course. Most people will start straight after their undergraduate degree, but there are other options.
Postgraduate study is as varied as the job sectors they are applicable to. Simply undertaking a masters and assuming it will be viewed well by employers can be a bad move. Make sure you know your sector, and know the further study options that will put you in the best possible position for your future career.