Second Post

In this job market do PG courses give you one up over other candidates applying for the same job? Has anyone had any experience of it helping?

I think a PG accreditation will definately help you get a foot in the door for an interview over someone who doesn't. After that, its down to you to give a good impression at the interview. I also think it is more important in some industries more than others. Are you thinking of doing a post grad course yourself?

I'm not convinced, is it really worth racking up more student debt?  Surely you have to get out and find a job sometime?

i think if you are doing a postgrad course it is because the career/job you wantto do reuqires that qualification - e.g, masters and phd are required in psychology if you want to become and educational psychologist. if however, you are doing one of the courses for the sake of doing postrgraduate study and having an MA (like MA in business of english etc) then this will not give you much of an advantage at all for your future job hunting. yes it will look better than just having a degree, but at the end of the day it isn't going to give you the advantage that you think it would, unfortunately. you need to look at the career you want to do and find out what it requires first, rather than looking at a range of courses and thinking that one sounds good. hope that helps.

I am thinking of doing postgrad studies but i am unsure right now due to the job market. Dare i risk looking for a job now or continue studying for a few years and hope it has recovered?

I suppose that rather depends on your finances ... if you can afford to stay in academia at the moment and ultimately end up with further qualifications that will help you in your career down the line then do.  If not, it may be time to start applying for jobs.

i think studying is the best way to go... in this current climate

I don't know really, I think it depends on what you study. If you study something that's really going to build your knowledge of your desired career area, I think it would be a great help for future employment. However, if you study a subject more for the fun of it, you'll have a great time but it might not improve your career prospects. If I wanted to do that, I think I'd do a part time course when I was retired or something!

I think the only thing is hurts is your wallet...

If I didn't have a huge amount of student debt I would definitely consider it.

i would suggest it is a matter of summing of the financial gains and losses and also the career gains and losses.  see how they balance out and then make up your mind.  i have friends who have been advised life experience is more imporantt han further academic qualifications, whereas others have had to go into further education in order to progress...

IMO they are a waste of money...you're better off going out there and getting some life experience, unless you want to be an academic.

They're something you could think about at a later age when you want to follow a particular interest but I think it's too much of a risk to be doing it now, especially at this difficult time.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/7915155/Graduates-seek-further-study-to-avoid-tough-jobs-market.html

Sonja Stockton of PriceWaterhouseCoopers said:

"Despite the growing trend of graduates continuing to study after completing their undergraduate degree, further post graduate education isn't necessarily more valuable in the eyes of employers,” she said. "Work experience and other ways of developing your employability skills, such as through voluntary work, internships and extra curricular activities can prove to employers just as effectively that you have developed desirable skills required for your job and future career.”