The secret to supercharging your career

Already degree-qualified but your career needs a nudge? Here’s how to zoom ahead of the pack.

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Once, having an undergraduate degree was the exception; a rare accolade reserved for only the brightest academic stars.

Now in many industries, it’s considered the rule. So if your undergraduate degree helped you get your foot in the door (along with countless others), what action can you take to make your mark?

Whether you’re looking to nab a pay-rise, take on more challenges and responsibilities, or even move your career in a fresh, upward direction, balancing your busy life with the flexibility of online postgraduate study could be exactly what you need to get there.

Psychologist and career expert, Suzie Plush, says having a postgraduate qualification is more powerful than ever before. “The job market is very competitive, so you need to stand out,” she says. “If you want to get ahead in your career, education needs to be a constant in your life. Never stop learning because knowledge is one of your greatest resources.”

The top five reasons to undertake a postgraduate course:

1. You can bank on a bigger pay cheque. 
   The extra qualification alone will likely increase your pay grade, but salaries for all postgraduate-qualified employees are on the rise as well. A recent Graduate Careers Australia study found the median salary for postgraduates in full-time employment was $80,000 in 2015, up from $68,600 in 2009. So not only can you step up your salary through your studies, the salary you’ll be stepping up to is looking more and more attractive too.

2. It can give you the edge you need
   According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of Australians with postgraduate degree qualifications almost doubled from 2011 to 2016, increasing from 631,000 in 2011 to 921,000 in 2016. That’s a jump of 46 per cent, meaning now more than ever, you’ll have to go the extra mile to keep up or get ahead. Plush says the added qualification will assist you, but during your studies you’ll also pick up soft skills that are vital to career progression. “Undertaking a postgrad course increases your skill set, confidence and helps you harness your strengths. All these things will make you stand out, which in turn positions you for advancement and increases your capacity for promotion.”

3. It can align your job with new passions
   Once you’ve entered your industry, you might discover a new pathway that more closely aligns to your passions, and postgraduate qualifications can help you make the jump. Matthew has several degrees in health, but in 2015 he shifted his attention to law, enrolling in  Juris Doctor with RMIT University online through Open Universities Australia (OUA). His change of focus came after years of observing the health and hospital systems. “You see people’s health outcomes, and you also see the disparities” he says. “I was a bit disturbed by people entering prisons who had a mental health diagnosis – they were disproportionally represented in prisons”. Matthew became interested in the interaction between the mental health system and the criminal justice system, and felt that having legal knowledge would give his viewpoints some clout in his current and future roles. “It’s something I wanted to arm myself with,” he says.

4. You’ll meet the right people, and get them talking
   “Postgrad studies give you the opportunity to build strategic relationships through the course, events and networking,” Plush says. “It really is who you know as well as what you know. Your relationships are so important to career growth, so building the right ones can be incredibly beneficial.” As you’ll be meeting people integral to your career, making the right impression is vital and Plush says the most overlooked benefit of postgraduate studies is the effect it can have on your personal brand. “People often don’t realise the positive impact having a postgraduate degree can have on how you’re viewed. When you’ve achieved a high level of education, people do think of you differently, and having a strong personal brand is essential to getting ahead in your career.”

5. It’s more possible than you think
   The main barriers to taking on postgraduate study are the lack of time, energy and money, according to Plush, but there are simple ways to overcome these hurdles. “It’s important to look at the big picture and chip away at your studies – break things down into manageable steps,” she says. “Pace yourself. If you’re working full-time, keep the end goal in mind, that will prepare you in case it gets tough at times.” Plush also recommends choosing an education provider that offers the flexibility you need to incorporate study back into your life. “At Open Universities Australia, they offer a wide range of online degrees which are perfect for busy people who need a tailored education solution. When you have the ability to study at your own pace, there’s nothing stopping you from getting your qualification, and getting ahead.”

Progression is always possible
Education has the power to transform lives and through Open Universities Australia you can reach your career goals by studying a wide range of online degrees or single subjects from 12 leading universities, without putting your life on hold. Explore all your options at open.edu.au or call a friendly student advisor on 13 OPEN.