Postgraduate studies – Why, When, How?

 

The  Career Advisory Council for the Centre for Future Ready Graduates invited me share with the undergraduates of the Faculty of Arts & Social Science (FASS) at the National University of Singapore.  

All the speakers invited were past students of FASS. So it made it all the more special to be back at my alma mater, where I had graduated with a Masters of Arts.

It was an interesting combination of different viewpoints: Associate Prof TC Chang (Vice Dean, FASS) representing academia, Gloria Chin (HR Divisional Director) representing the public sector and myself from the private sector. I was glad to share from my experience as a student, working in the private sector and being a manager who hires. 

Here’s what we learnt from the forum on post graduate studies:

Why do you want it:  

A post graduate degree does not guarantee securing a job, promotion or better pay package, unless you are in a discipline or career which values the field of study.  The post graduate degree helps to broaden your horizon, network with and learning from others from different backgrounds, deepen the research area of interest. Knowing your aspirations on whether you wish to pursue an academic route, public sector or private sector route would be advantageous. If not, you still have youth on your side to decide.

When do you do it: 

If the economy is in a downturn, that’s the best time to study with minimal impact to income and employment.

If financing is not available, then finding scholarships, sponsorships or working to finance would be necessary.

Like Prof Chang, further studies upon graduation was great as the mind was fresh and able to continue the momentum without interruption, but youth also meant less he had fewer publications under his belt compared to his school mates. 

For myself, coming back to school after working for a few years provided a good blend of youthful energy and experience to make the studies become relevant in real life application. Plus, in single and early career years, balancing studies and work was easier.  

Gloria faced the challenge of balancing work, family and studies when she picked up the post graduate studies later in her career. However, she was able to know clearly the choice of her studies that would best complement her as part of her career development. It had helped her develop competencies to advance her career in senior management.

How do you get there:  

For academic, Prof Chang advised to pick the mentor and start wooing them early.  Good grades are a must to pursue academia.  I felt that grades matter, but a more balanced approach would be preferred, with character building, soft skills such as good communications and interpersonal skills, and having more diversified interests such as sports, hobbies or community work.

The students enjoyed the sharing with an active question and answer session, and more questions post session. We wish all the students the best in their studies and a brilliant path ahead of them!