Can That Degree Really Take Your Career Further?

Studying remains a fantastic way to break into a dream career. The knowledge, determination and general recognition that come with a degree are all guaranteed to help your resume stand apart at last. As such, you could do a lot worse than considering a return to education with your career path in mind.

It is vital to note, though, that many students remain unable to secure jobs, even after degree completion. If you think that certification is a guaranteed way into the career of your dreams, then you’ve got a harsh reality check coming your way. 

In large part, degrees fail to earn positions because of critical mistakes during both the course-choosing and studying stages. While overcoming these still doesn’t guarantee your prospects, it can at least put you on the best footing. But what are these mistakes, and what can you do to get around them? 

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# 1 – Studying with a job posting in mind

Keeping an eye on the current job market is beneficial for any student. It’ll give you an idea of the positions available, the duties expected, and even standard pay points. But, choosing a degree based on a job listing right now is never wise. Remember that, by the time you’ve completed your studies, that job will be long gone, and there may not be another like it. Instead, try to keep more general career roles in mind. By researching these instead, you’ll be able to find degrees that do well across the board, rather than just with that one employer who probably won’t ever read your resume. 

# 2 – Studying what you think you should without research

Too often, we assume we know what it takes to get into a career without doing any research. Anyone seeking a degree in politics/the legal sector, for example, may assume that a standardized law degree is the way to go when a political management course would actually be better. While technicalities like these don’t automatically rule you out for positions, an applicant who did hold that more relevant degree could soon knock you off the top spot. Make sure it doesn’t happen by researching ahead of time so that you can be sure you’re always choosing the right program for your needs. Then, you’ll never need to worry about someone else’s qualifications outshining yours when the time comes.

# 3 – Compromising experience for the classroom

Degrees still hold a firm place in the working world, but, a need for experience is also coming to the fore. Even your degree will pale in comparison with someone who’s done work experience or similar. Overcome this by choosing a course that offers experience placements, or opt for part-time study so you can complete internships alongside your efforts and make yourself more hireable in the process.

Avoid each of these fatalities, and you may just find you’re on better footing than you expected when your studies are over, and it’s finally time for your career to take shape.