You’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for your degree course, you may even be planning a big blow-out celebration already. There’s still a bit of a way to go though; you have to submit your dissertation and sit those final exams. You may be thinking that this is the last hard push to succeed and gain that all-important degree, but is it?
As an undergraduate, you’ve probably worked harder on your degree course than at any other time through your academic life. But don’t get lulled into believing that’s it. A first degree isn’t all you need to succeed in life. And it certainly won’t sustain you for long as new technologies, industry developments and fresh ideas come along. Yes, it’s a valuable reward to receive for all that hard work. But it might just be the start.
Your degree maybe just the thing to win that incredible graduate role with your preferred employer. However, to continue up the career ladder, you need to continue your education and training. You might need to undertake another degree that is more relevant to the industry you find yourself in. Perhaps you’re looking to add a masters degree to your list of qualifications? Professional level qualifications can help you go far, but even they might not be enough!
Adding specialist qualifications to your arsenal will help you when it comes time to take the next leap up. You might undertake something like an online degree in organizational leadership so you can be considered for managerial positions within your business. It might help you make even bigger leaps into other companies you’re interested in. You might have the basics now, but reaching up and out into new areas of business management could take you up the next rung of the ladder.
Many new graduates struggle to get started because they have a lack of experience. Work placements are valuable, but they rarely give you the experience you need in the roles you aspire to. Making coffees and answering phones is what the youngest recruits tackle with ease – and they get paid for it! If you take on specialist degrees, you will have the opportunity to case study selected businesses doing the job you want to reach. This kind of experience could be of great interest to a recruiter.
Of course, your experience of further and higher education demonstrates an ability to self-manage. You excel at finding out information for yourself. It demonstrates good time-management skills as well as basic administrative skills. Most importantly it shows you are determined to learn all you can about your industry and the business practices within it. Again, this can be of great value to a company looking to recruit you. It means you stand out during the application process.
Continuing your education should be a lifelong commitment. Things change all the time, so it’s important you stay on top of that so your degree doesn’t become irrelevant or dated. You’ve worked really hard over the last couple of years, and you might be tired from all the study. Taking a break could be just the thing you need right now before you head back to the books and seek to learn more.
Have you taken steps to carry on with your education after university? Share your thoughts below
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