Postgraduate Taught courses include postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees. For students studying full time these courses tend to only last 1-2 years, which means it is important to start thinking about your graduate options as soon as your course begins. There are many options you could consider and our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team are here to help you to find the right pathway for you.
Some of the options that you may like to review are:
Graduate schemes: These generally open from September and close between October and December. Graduate schemes are hugely competitive so make sure you gain some work experience to make your application stand out.
Graduate entry into SME companies and the public sector: Opportunities will be open year-round and you can apply at any time. As a minimum, you should start looking 5 months before you wish to start a job.
Further study: This takes place most commonly in the form of a PhD. You can apply at any time of the year, however, most PhD Studentships begin around September/October with competition increasing as these months approach. Find out more about PhD study through our Demystifying the PhD programme.
Business and startup: Starting your own business can be an exciting prospect for master’s graduates but like any route, this will require preparation. The Student Enterprise Team provides current students and recent graduates with the skills, funding and support to set up their own businesses.
I used the Drop-in Service [now Ask the Adviser appointments], attended lectures through my MBA course and took advantage of the longer guidance appointments. The Careers Service helped me to see myself clearly, to recognise my qualities and what I want, helping me to make some big decisions.
Search the MyCareer Jobs Board for a range of opportunities including internships and graduates roles, and full and part-time positions.
You can use targetjobs for national graduate opportunities and internships.
For PhDs, try FindaPhD.com, PhD portal and Jobs.ac.uk to find advertised opportunities. Additionally, you can use our Demystifying the PhD pathway to help you to prepare for applications. You may also find it useful to send a speculative CV and covering letter to academics working in a field of interest to you.
Whatever your reason for choosing to study a Postgraduate Taught programme, your degree has given you the opportunity to increase skills that are key to what employers are looking for in their recruits.
Additionally, your Postgraduate programme has helped you to become a specialist within your area of study and quite likely equipped you with a more mature outlook on the world.
Follow these steps to success to help you reach your goals:
Step 1: Identify your skills
The Career Readiness Test is based on the Graduate Capital Model and focuses on five Capitals (Human, Social, Cultural, Identity and Psychological) which can be developed throughout your life and degree. Tomlinson defines capitals as ‘key resources that confer benefits and advantages in the labour market’ (2016).
The Successful Futures Pathway is available to access on MyCareer and aligns with the Southampton Skills Model. This outlines 14 skills identified by our employers, industry partners and broader research insights as being sought after and valued by graduate recruiters.
By taking the Career Readiness Test and using it alongside the Successful Futures Pathway, you can consider what skills you have developed that will be advantageous in the job market. You can also then identify skills which you still need to develop.
Step 2: Analyse job descriptions
Read the job description carefully and pick out the key skills required for the position. Then evidence your skills that match.
Step 3: Market your skills
You will need to do this at every stage of the recruitment process, from the job application, CV and covering letter to assessment centres and the final interview. Check out the UoS Career Hub for help with completing your applications.