Careers Support for Postgraduate Students

Make the most of your postgraduate career journey

Postgraduate study is a chance to deepen your knowledge, develop specialist skills and build experience – but it’s also a good time to think actively about where you want that experience to take you. Whether you’re studying a taught Master’s or undertaking postgraduate research, your career journey is yours to shape.

Build your professional network

Networking isn’t just about looking for a job. Connecting with people working in areas that interest you can help you understand different career paths, discover opportunities and build confidence talking about your skills and experience.

Look out for employer events, careers fairs, conferences, seminars and professional events related to your subject. You can also use LinkedIn and professional networks to follow organisations, join conversations and learn about developments in your sector. If you’re a researcher, your academic and research networks can be particularly valuable – think about conferences, professional bodies and people you meet through your research.

Recognise the skills you’re developing

Your postgraduate experience is giving you more than subject knowledge. Think about the skills you’re developing through research, projects, presentations, problem-solving, managing your time, working independently and collaborating with others. Being able to recognise these skills – and explain how you’ve used them – can make a real difference when applying for opportunities.

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, don’t overlook the value of your research experience. The ability to analyse complex information, manage a long-term project, communicate ideas and develop expertise can be valuable in careers both inside and beyond academia.

You can reflect on the skills you’ve developed using the Self Awareness module on our Career Development Course or try the on Job Teaser to see how your skills match up to different jobs and sectors.

How we can support you

You don’t need to have your whole career mapped out. Start by exploring possibilities, talking to people and trying things out. Look for opportunities to gain relevant experience, develop new skills and test your ideas about different careers.

Our Careers and Employability team can help you at every stage. As a postgraduate student or researcher, you can book a one-to-one appointment with a Careers Consultant, work through the Career Development Course, explore opportunities on Job Teaser, attend employer events and access tools for CVs, applications and interviews.