THINKING POSTGRADUATE
A CAREER CHANGE REVOLUTION GETTING AHEAD In a post-Covid world
BACK TO UNIVERSITY
Could a Masters change your life?
LEARNING AT THE FOREFRONT OF DISCOVERY POSTGRAD STUDY
How to fund your education 11 I Am Northumbria
GETTING AHEAD IN A POST-COVID WORLD
WHY EMPLOYABILITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER With competition for graduate jobs high and the economic outlook uncertain, making yourself as attractive as possible to future employers is crucial to launching a successful career.
While the UK’s post-pandemic economic outlook is certainly brighter than we might have hoped for 12 months ago, the effects of the global pandemic are still worrying those trying to enter the jobs market. Some graduate-employing industries have been hit very hard, and research by Prospects suggests that businesses will be recruiting fewer graduates due to the impact of Covid-19. It’s not all bad news though; while sectors such as the arts are certainly suffering, others such as IT, health, social care, and professional services are struggling to keep up with demand. So what can job-seekers do to give themselves an advantage?
Postgraduate opportunities
It’s likely to be some time before the full effects of the pandemic are understood but there are definite trends in skills shortages that graduates could look to capitalise on.
Sought-after skills The Local Government Association projects that the low carbon workforce will treble by 2030, so graduates with skills and qualifications related to sustainability, responsible business, renewable energy and emerging technologies are becoming more highly sought after.
Professor Andrew Robson, Head of Department at Newcastle Business School said: “There are postgraduate opportunities available for students who want to make themselves more attractive to employers, either building on undergraduate study, or changing direction and studying a different subject.
Whilst research from Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) predicts rising demand for digital skills, and that the kind of transferable skills which postgraduate study develops, such as creativity, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication skills will become more important as remote working becomes more common.
“Getting a higher-level degree enhances opportunities in the graduate employment market, which has increasing importance as economies are seeking to recover in the post-pandemic world.”
PWC also observes that despite large numbers of graduates due to enter the labour market, vacancies for nurses, IT professionals, HR professionals, medical practitioners, welfare professionals, design engineers, accountants and marketing associates were typically hard to fill.
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In-demand areas Market demand, for both courses and jobs, is taken carefully into account when designing postgraduate courses according to Northumbria’s Deputy Director of Global Marketing and Business Tracey Urwin: “We look at trends across all of our subject areas and carry out primary research with students and employers to ensure our courses are designed to meet their needs. “We also work with professional bodies so that wherever possible course content enables our students to attain additional professional accreditation, assisting them to enter their chosen career or move up the career ladder. “Since the pandemic we have seen an uplift in interest in certain areas, particularly health-related programmes as well as cyber security and technology, and a desire for more flexible learning across all of our subjects. “At Northumbria we have a strong flexible learning offer, with many courses available full-time, part-time, on-campus or distance learning.”
Postgraduate degrees at Northumbria are designed in collaboration with employers and business leaders to develop course content that will prepare students for workplace success. Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Employability and Partnerships said: “A strong focus on employability runs through all of our Masters courses. “I know from very regular discussions with employers how much they value the skills our postgraduates acquire during their time with us, and how much they appreciate opportunities to work with us in shaping our programmes and upskilling their future workforce.”
Career ready This approach to creating career-ready graduates has seen Northumbria ranked in the Top 15 in the UK for employability according to the latest figures from Graduate Outcomes (2017/18). One of the ways that Northumbria does this is by ensuring course content that is relevant for the labour market. Over 60 professional bodies accredit or sponsor Northumbria courses and students across all faculties have access to industry-leading experts through teaching staff, placements, projects and guest lectures.
MSc Disaster Management and Sustainable Development graduate Rebecca Coe now works as an Emergency Planner for Public Health England. She said: “I couldn't have got into the role that I'm doing now without having done my course. “The modules covered really set you up for responding to a disaster or emergency. They cover UK-focused disasters, as well as international, so depending on the pathway you choose to go down, you’re prepared and you have the knowledge to back that up.”
CV enhancing As well as industry relevant course content, Northumbria is committed to creating valuable CV-enhancing opportunities for postgraduates.
Real-world experience Another initiative which gives Northumbria students real-world experience, is the award-winning Student Law Office. Legal students are given the opportunity to work on real cases, putting their theoretical knowledge into practice and developing a range of skills they will need when they enter the legal profession. “The best way to learn the law is by practicing the law, no matter how much you use a textbook you’ll never truly understand the law until you have experience in practice,” said Student Law Office Director Paul McKeown.
Students on many courses will have the opportunity to work on live briefs with real clients, through initiatives such as the Business Clinic, a consultancy module that business students can choose as an alternative to a dissertation. Business Clinic Manager Nicola Burnip said: “Working with a live client allows students to develop employability skills, so they can demonstrate that they have experience of things like report writing, analytical skills and working in teams.”
The challenges presented by Covid-19 have made us redouble our efforts to support all of our students – including our postgraduate students – in their search for work. Lucy Winskell, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Employability and Partnerships 3
BACK TO UNIVERSITY
YOU CAN DO IT ALL
COULD A MASTERS CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
Are you ready to take the next step to becoming the person you've always wanted to be? Do you dream of bettering yourself or having a new career you enjoy? You are not alone. In 2020 Northumbria saw an increase in applications from students wishing to return to study. In fact, the number of over 40s applying to do postgraduate study rose by almost 40%, and 1 in 4 postgraduates who enrolled last September were over 26. Whether you’ve been influenced by a change in the job market since the pandemic, are reassessing what’s important, or have been thinking about returning to study for a while, doing a Masters can help you get where you want to be professionally and give you a huge sense of achievement.
Career confidence MSc Real Estate graduate Pippa Heron is now Development Project Manager at a leading UK sustainability consultancy. Pippa did BA French Studies then worked abroad for several years before she moved back to her native North East to do an MSc in Real Estate at Northumbria in 2015. Pippa said: “The MSc Real Estate course perfectly set me up for both the jobs I’ve had since completing the masters. The teaching staff are experts in their field and have practical experience of real-life scenarios to ensure what you’re learning is not only applicable and relevant to what’s happening in the industry but will also allow you to enter the job market with confidence. “From my experience, employers really appreciate the extra few years life experience that comes with starting a career later than the traditional graduate route.” 4
Thinking Postgraduate
The advantage of experience Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences Derek Johnson, returned to university in 2007 after 30 years serving as a police officer. Derek said “Returning to do a Masters after a period away from study certainly involves life changes but can be surprisingly manageable.
You should plan for a commitment of 35 hours a week for a full-time Masters (including on-campus time) and 17 hours a week for a part-time programme. For more information see northumbria.ac.uk/returntostudy
Using your time well
Fully supported
Ameena said; “My job is very emotionally demanding as I work with children who have profound disabilities, some of whom are on end-of-life plans, so whilst I love my job and find it very rewarding, it can be stressful. I’m also a mother to a seven-yearold boy and have a home to run, so I need to use my time really well.
“The lecturers have been very supportive helping me work through what is essential and what is extra, and there’s is an excellent community of students on the course – we all help each other a lot.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say studying alongside working and being a mum is harder than when you’re younger with no commitments, as you’re likely already in a routine, and used to juggling different priorities.”
“I’d say to anyone who was considering doing a Masters that as long as you choose a subject you’re interested in, you’ll be able to do it. Just work out the hours you’ll have available to you and whether you might need to study part-time and go for it. It’s been so worth it, it’s amazing feeling like I’m bettering myself.”
Ameena Al-Janabi
Starting a postgraduate qualification is an investment in your future. According to the Department for Education, those with a postgraduate degree are more likely to get a job, earn more and progress to more highly-skilled roles faster*.
Pippa Heron
Study-life balance As a postgraduate student you will have set times of the week to attend university, but how you allocate the rest of your study time is up to you, giving you the flexibility you need to juggle your family, social life and work.
MSc Psychology student Ameena Al-Janabi is balancing her Masters study with a career and being a mum to her seven year old son. She is studying her MSc Psychology part-time, and works part-time in a Special Educational Needs and Disability school in Newcastle.
HOW TO FUND POSTGRADUATE STUDY
“It was challenging but rewarding, and a returning student has much to offer through their life skills and professional viewpoints to inform debate at that level. “Masters’ study moves on from undergraduate and involves a greater degree of self-directed learning, but I would say to anyone considering a return to study that you have skills and experience that can and will be advantageous.”
Would you love to do a Masters but have other commitments and worry how you’d find the time?
I started the Masters course after several “gap years”, and it was one of the best life decisions I’ve ever made – I’ve established a rewarding career and now work for a company I am proud and honoured to be a part of.
The Government’s postgraduate loan is available to eligible students on most Masters programmes. The current amount you can borrow is £11,222 and this can be used to cover course fees, plus living or other costs, as this is paid directly to you. You don’t have to start paying back until you are earning over a certain amount, which is currently around £21,000 per year before tax. There are some university scholarships available, you can find out more on the Northumbria website. Occasionally there are grants available with awarding bodies, but they will need to be contacted directly to find out what’s available. For those who have already completed an undergraduate degree at Northumbria there is also a 20% alumni discount.
Northumbria has a dedicated Welfare, Immigration and Funding Team that provides advice and guidance, Michael McTeague, Welfare and International Advisor said: “We can let you know what you are entitled to, how to apply for support and also how to finesse your application to deal with niche issues that might affect you as an individual.” For more information see www.northumbria.ac.uk/feesfunding
The 20% alumni discount I received meant I didn’t have to work part-time and had more time to keep on track with my future career goals. Jonathan Pearson MSc Real Estate
Pippa Heron, Graduate MSc Real Estate
*Analysis of the Labour Force Survey, Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2019
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A CAREER CHANGE REVOLUTION
HOW TO FIND A NEW DIRECTION You might feel that the career path you chose when you were 17 is no longer the best path for you. Here is some helpful advice to consider before embarking on that big career change:
1 2 Andrew Clarey had been working as a Landscape Architect for 15 years but he felt unhappy in his job and longed for a change. Spending time volunteering on a local regeneration project inspired him to explore the possibility of doing something he was more passionate about. “I was disillusioned, but I had been really anxious about making a change and unsure what to do next,” said Andrew. “I realised that I’d enjoyed the volunteering more than I had been enjoying my actual job and it sparked an interest in a career in the cultural sector.” Andrew discovered Northumbria offered a Masters degree in Creative and Cultural Industries Management: “I had financial anxiety, worrying about how I was going to afford to do a Masters and I was worried about losing my prior experience, but my gut was telling me I needed to do it.”
A new focus “Once I started the course, all of my anxieties went away. It gave me more of a focus and helped me build on my previous skills with the skills I needed for my new career.” Andrew now works as a Project Coordinator for Historic England on a cultural regeneration project in Northallerton. He is currently managing several initiatives including an arts trail, a cultural programme, a new digital hub and an augmented reality app to show the medieval history of the town. “My new job is brilliant because I use all of my skillset and work on things that I am passionate about.
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I can draw on my experience as an architect when looking at things like public realm works but I’m learning so much from projects like developing the augmented reality app, I feel so lucky. “I definitely made the right decision changing careers, I’m happier and more confident doing this than I was in more than a decade doing my other job.”
“I’ve also been able to take a CIM qualification through the course which will no doubt help when I’m looking for digital marketing jobs. “I’d say to anyone thinking of studying a new area, they should go for it. It can broaden your career options and it’s been a challenge doing something different. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Changing aspirations It's not only people who are already in jobs with established careers that might choose to change direction. Northumbria has a suite of Masters for those whose interests and aspirations may have changed from their undergraduate degree. Naveed Butt studied BA Film and TV Production at Northumbria and chose to change his focus by progressing onto MSc Digital Marketing after graduation. “Film is one of my main passions, but I was unsure of my next step,” said Naveed. “I’ve always been interested in business too, and after a meeting with a careers adviser I decided Digital Marketing could complement my film and TV studies and be a good option career-wise. “I’ve really enjoyed lots of my modules and I’m about to start a consultancy project with the Business Clinic where we get to work with a real live client, so that will be great for my CV.
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EVALUATE YOUR REASONING Be clear about why you want to change direction. Assess your interests, values and aspirations. Establish what you’re looking for and what motivates you to help you decide on the right direction. CAPITALISE ON YOUR SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES Consider what you were good at, your capabilities, where you think you could excel. Transferable skills are important, as is being open to learning new things and developing new skills. UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES Consider your current financial and personal circumstances. How will this change impact your finances and existing commitments? Knowing that you have the time to dedicate to your studies and understanding available funding options is vital.
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EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS Explore the alternative routes available to you with your current qualifications, there may be more than you think. Some courses require no prior knowledge of that subject and are open to students from any undergraduate background.
LOOK AT GROWTH AREAS Are there skills shortages in an area you might find interesting? You could have a look at Government statistics and a browse through job adverts to get an idea of what kind of postgraduate qualifications might be in demand.
LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT? Explore your options.
Andrew Clarey
Join our Virtual Event to find out how you can change direction.
My Masters turned things around and gave me the hope that I could do something different and be successful at it.
4 August 6pm – 7pm
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northumbria.ac.uk/changedirection
Andrew Clarey, MA Creative and Cultural Industries Management 7
LEARNING AT THE FOREFRONT OF DISCOVERY Northumbria is leading the debate and responding to tomorrow’s challenges through ground-breaking research which is brought into the classroom, addressing the pressing regional, societal and global challenges of this century and beyond. GALAXY GUARDIANS As we enter a new era of space exploration, the study of space law is emerging. Developing new legal frameworks to ensure space activity is conducted in a responsible way is becoming increasingly important within the space industry. Professor of Space Law and Policy Chris Newman said: “Our research means students can engage with real space law problems, collaborating with space companies and other researchers to get a real insight into the space law environment.”
Dr Sterghios Moschos, pictured on the right
HUMANS VS PATHOGENS Scientists at Northumbria are waging a war against the diseases which threaten our existence. From developing rapid screening for Ebola, to researching single shot treatments that can prevent diseases setting in, Northumbria is working to bring medicine closer to people, faster. The University’s most recent breakthrough is a product for collecting breath samples, which could revolutionise the diagnosis of a range of diseases, including Covid -19 (pictured above). Associate Professor in Applied Sciences, Dr Sterghios Moschos is leading this project and explains how important it is that students are part of Northumbria’s pioneering research: “I bring my research into my teaching every opportunity that I get. They say repetition is the mother of learning, but in my experience it’s practice, and feeling what you are doing with your hands.”
The students I work with are 100% involved with active research because people who learn to use ideas to tackle problems will deliver the research breakthroughs of the future. Dr Sterghios Moschos, Associate Professor in Applied Sciences Dr Alana James
GLACIERS ON THIN ICE Northumbria's Glaciology Research Group are at the forefront of their discipline and part of a major £4 million project to investigate whether climate change will drive the Antarctic Ice Sheet towards a tipping point. Their studies include Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, which are responsible for about 10% of the ongoing increase in global sea levels. Professor of Extreme Environments and Glaciology, Hilmar Gudmundsson leads the group. He explains how students benefit from access to this crucial research “We provide a research-rich environment for our students and involve them early on in our research projects. “They don’t just learn things related to that specific research question, but also tools, capabilities and a certain way of research thinking which are transferable to a range of different settings.” 8
Thinking Postgraduate
SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION Fashion is the world's second highest polluting industry, and Northumbria researchers are looking at ways to help it clean up its act. Dr Alana James is an experienced fashion designer and lecturer at Northumbria. She is conducting research into sustainability in the fashion industry and is passionate about engaging students in the creation of responsible fashion principles: “I bring my research into my teaching through projects, live briefs and collaborations. Students explore innovative solutions to solve problems and change behaviours, ensuring we contribute to making fashion more sustainable.” 9
MASTER YOUR FUTURE And take your learning to the next level. A postgraduate degree can boost your earnings by £8,000 per year†.
APPLY NOW northumbria.ac.uk Department for Education’s Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2019.
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*Terms and Conditions apply.
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20%
ALUMNI DISCOUNT *