This document provides information for masters students on career progression, including: 1) Reasons for undertaking postgraduate study such as furthering one's career, changing directions, or gaining a competitive edge. 2) Skills and experiences masters students gain like research skills, independent work, and knowledge in their field of study that employers value. 3) Suggestions for how masters students can market their qualifications to employers by articulating the higher-level skills and specialist knowledge they obtained. 4) Resources masters students can use to find jobs, including online job boards, newspapers, trade publications, and employer websites. Specialist sources cover different sectors.

1. Career progression for masters
students
Welcome to the
Careers and
Employability Centre

2. Career progression for masters
students
• Reasons for undertaking PG study
• How have you enhanced your skills/experience
• Where PG study can take you
• How to meet your objectives (action plan)
• Marketing your qualification
• Resources

3. Career progression for masters
students
Reasons for taking PG course:
• Further your career
• Change career direction
• Pursue a passion
• Enter a profession
• Gain a better insight into industry
• Give you a competitive edge
• Do you feel you are achieving your goals?

4. Career progression for masters
students- employers view point
Employers value the ability to develop new skills, knowledge and experience.
Your course is likely to involve considerable independent study, and require you to
make greater use of a range of skills developed at undergraduate level.
Skills
• Intellectual skills: research, initiative, generating ideas, forming questions, answering
questions, analysis, analysing data, handling information, sorting, problem solving,
recalling, memorising, extrapolating, synthesising
• Interpersonal skills: oral and written communication, working in a group or team,
building positive relationships with peers and tutors, negotiating, persuading,
collaborating, networking
• Personal skills: self motivation, taking early responsibility, commitment, time
management, project management, personal presentation
• Technical skills: from practical projects,
IT, laboratory skills, research techniques

5. Career progression for masters
students
Knowledge
• Gaining deeper understanding and knowledge of a subject is a clear benefit of a
masters course. Masters graduates are likely to be able to conceptualise and
think about the range of a topic, pose questions and formulate answers. You will
be experienced in finding relevant subject specific information quickly and using
a range of sources. Knowledge might be categorised in the following way:
• up to date subject knowledge
• knowledge of sources of information
• knowledge of the key people working in the field
• knowledge of current thinking about techniques relevant to the field

6. Career progression for masters
students
Experience
• group projects
• writing reports or extended essays
• a dissertation or extensive piece of independent research
• work related or professional experience
From these experiences you can draw robust evidence of well developed skills.
For example, independent study involves self discipline and motivation. A
successful research project demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness.
Managing to sustain family commitments or part time work while studying can
also support claims of good time management and ability to achieve under
pressure.

7. Career progression for masters
students – destination data

8. Career progression for masters students
How do I sell my Masters degree to
employers?
• Some employers specifically require the higher level skills and technical abilities
of Masters subjects, often found in specific vocational areas i.e. science and
engineering.
• Employers may not distinguish between Masters and first degree graduates, so
it's important that you are able to articulate the higher level skills and specialist
knowledge you have gained and what value that might have to potential
employers.
You have also gained general skills that are desirable to employers:
• time management and the ability to work independently.
• analytical skills and critical thinking;
• research skills;
• enhanced presentation skills;
• problem-solving skills;

9. Career progression for masters students
- where are jobs for Masters graduates
advertised?
• Rarely separate recruitment practices for undergraduate and postgraduate
students. Masters graduates can look for jobs in the same places as those with
a first degree: online job boards; newspapers; trade publications; and
through speculative applications.
• Increase your chances by carrying out work experience and internships and
joining a professional body.
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/

10. Career progression for masters
students - specialist vacancy
sources:
Sector guides
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/careerchoices/researchingcareers
Prospect profiles
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm

11. Career progression for masters
students – speculative applications
1. Identify your target organisations
2. Research those organisations thoroughly
3. Find a contact?
4. Taylor your CV
5. Compose cover letter
6. Follow up!

12. Career progression for masters
students
Should I do a PhD?
• A PhD is a long process that can take a number of years to complete.
• Masters is often seen as the precursor to a PhD. Almost 45% of graduates
who do Masters in research go on to further study.
• Many students choose to do a PhD
to gain the relevant qualification
to enter academia or a research.

13. questions?
• Briefings – Career planning, CVs and Applications
• Careers Advisers are available daily 11-5pm
• Call in or phone
• Come to the events – listed on news & events page
• Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
• www.sussex.ac.uk/careers