The importance of work experience
When it comes to finding a job, many first degree graduates would agree that work experience is a powerful if not the most valuable asset. Employability or work-readiness is still number one on the list of potential employers when they look for graduates to fill vacancies. With few exceptions, the class or type of degree is no longer their main consideration.
There is even a national council for work experience, that you can visit here.
Increasingly employers want graduates to be problem solvers and entrepreneurs and be able to demonstrate good communication skills, initiative and a maturity that comes from having already experienced the world of work in some way.
Taking this trend into account, it is essential that postgraduates seeking jobs or considering entering graduate schemes this year recognise and highlight their own work experience, acquired as part of their postgraduate degree.
Skills acquired during work experience include soft skills, particularly communication, time management, professionalism, innovation, project management and teamwork. You should also show a willingness to learn, as this always impresses employers. It is the students who show the most enthusiasm that tend to shine while on placement – and get those all-important jobs.
These are the skills that a postgraduate acquires during their project and coursework and must be emphasised in applications and interviews. If you want to start making the most of your skills and stand out in the job market then framing the qualities you have as part of your postgraduate degree is crucial.
Take the first step and visit your careers advisor to start identifying them.
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Dan Colegate on 06 Aug 06:45 0 comments
