Career Development Centre Graduate Studies: What and Why? John Hannon 2 nd Feb. 2011

Career Development Centre Today’s Objectives Place further study in context of lifelong learning Give an overview to NUI Galway postgraduate study applications and funding Limited detail. Requirements constantly changing…full list of postgrad courses on / OR for UK OR for EU Other study options

Career Development Centre

Postgraduate Routes to Employment DEGREE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT / CONVERSION EMPLOYMENT

Career Development Centre Postgraduate Study - Options Higher Research Degrees Examined by thesis, Masters (2 years) or PhD (3 / 4 years…if you are organised + supervised !) e.g. MLitt (Geography), MEngSc, PhD Taught Masters Course work + research project. 1 or 2 years e.g. MA Community Development Vocational Courses Often Higher or Graduate Diplomas / Certificates. Some Masters. E.g. Cert. TEFL, HDipAppSc (Software Design & Development), MAcc Training relevant to career area. 1 year

Career Development Centre

Why postgraduate study? Enjoy subject…specialise…but what career? Change direction…challenging…able for it? Time to consider career options…placement? Time not = inspiration Occupational requirement - research / apprenticeship / techniques / skills

Graduate Recruitment Trends Survey 2010 and (2009) 48% (56) Graduates ‘who can demonstrate specific competences’ 60% (53)Must have studied specific degree 37% (41) Require a 2.1 min. 21% (23)Must have relevant work experience 5% (6)Must have studied at particular universities [ Source: gradireland]

Shortfalls Soft skillsHard skills Communication Independent working Motivation Managing own learning Confidence Problem solving Organisation Analytical skills Writing Leadership Project management Fluency in foreign language Administration IT Numeracy

Career Development Centre Information Overload!

Career Development Centre What is a postgraduate “conversion” course? Taught postgraduate courses that allow graduates to ‘convert’ to a new discipline, a ‘back-door’/second chance Many subject areas available, but high concentration in business, law, arts and computing/IT 1-2 years duration Strong career focus and high employment rates Linked directly to skills requirements for growth in current economic climate, help mobility for grads of any discipline To ‘convert’ to science or engineering - usually need a primary degree in a related discipline

Career Development Centre The Seven Categories of Conversion Programmes Arts & Social Sciences BusinessEducation Engineering, & Science Health Therapies. Medicine IT Law

Career Development Centre

General points on postgrads Exceptions to the rule are common. Requirements vary from college to college and from course to course in the same college. Do not exclude yourself if you do not meet the entry requirements on paper – contact the course tutor / director to discuss.

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Making an online application Valerie Leahy, Deputy Admissions Officer (Postgraduate) P O S T G R A D U A T E O P E N D A Y 2 February 2011

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Who does what Who’s who Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) Postgraduate Admissions (NUIG) College Office and programme director/supervisor

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Steps involved Choose programmes Prospectus Career Development Centre Lecturers Taught vs. research PAC codes Closing dates

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Closing date vs. offer round dates Change for this year Early application may mean early offer Page 22 of prospectus or information online Offer round dates (× 5) Mid-February, end-March … Offers will continue to be made until course is filled

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Steps involved Apply online Read FAQs Two-stage process —online & post/ upload Check supporting documents Register an account (login) Valid —check often €45 application fee Assigned PAC number Save (and submit)

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Steps involved Sample application forms (two online pages to complete) Under PAC FAQs, No. 1

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Steps involved Supporting documents Check website Requirements vary, e.g., personal statement, C.V., exemption form Post or upload. Write your PAC number on each page and post to: PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway. Docs. scanned in & appended to your electronic application.

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Steps involved How it all works … Once application made online, you’ll receive confirmation . Keep account active and check regularly. Log into your account to check your updated status. You’ll be reminded if you’re missing documents. Check offer round dates. If successful, you’ll be made an offer via the system; can accept or decline the offer online. Note: non-refundable deposit required to secure course-place, deducted from your course fee … can be transferred to another NUIG course if you receive a subsequent offer.

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Tips Do your research—online and talk to academics, current students, Careers. Look at FAQs—postgrad website and on PAC. Check what supporting docs. you need & assemble well in advance. Watch offer round dates. Use all your course choices … keep your options open. No need to order by preference. Keep your account active and in good order to ensure s get through to you.

Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application Good luck! Any questions? Valerie Leahy, Deputy Admissions Officer (Postgraduate) P O S T G R A D U A T E O P E N D A Y 2 February 2011 | Tel. (091) |

Pamela Devins Career Development Centre Writing a Personal Statement

What to include? How to write an effective Personal Statement? Personal Statements

What do Course Directors like to see? Why you want to do the course? Well rounded personality A well-written statement A well-presented statement (pride) Strong introduction and conclusion Relevant work exp. Evidence of broad key skills e.g. Teamwork, Presentation Skills Evidence of being a hard worker Anything distinctive about degree results?

Possible outline….brainstorm Section 1 – This course + college – why? Section 2. Academic qualifications and attributes…how has college life led you to this? Have an achievement focus. Relevant subjects / modules / projects you have done…if you are missing something, what can you offer as a substitute?

Possible outline…. Section 3 – personal qualities + achievements that make you suitable…outline what you want to get from the course (not necessarily ‘career’ if the course is not vocational)…can be related to work, extra-curricular etc. Note: It is not an autobiography. Every sentence is important and should convince the reader that you have the academic ability, skills and motivation to complete the programme successfully

Avoid… Waffle Swallowing a dictionary Absence of evidence…could be seen as lying. Writing at length about results Ordinary interests…show your involvement Rushing, thinking you can write it without research and advice

Themes to Include… Achievements Developed Evidence Experience Impact Individual Involved Planning Skills

Interests and experiences outside college Identify and outline key activities or experiences which you have gained. Only give information on interests and experiences outside college if you have something to say…make it relevant

Writing the PS Play close attention to paragraphs and sentences Spell check and grammar check Ask someone to proof read Use the active voice Be precise with punctuation

Using “I” This is a personal statement so using the first person pronoun I is acceptable Using the third person makes the prose vague Try not to have short clipped sentences, instead use words to link sentences

Useful Linking Words Furthermore In addition Yet Which However Including Namely As a result Moreover In Conclusion Finally Particularly For instance

Check, check, check Be meticulous before submitting check for: –Accuracy –Relevance Your writing reflects you so make sure it is as impressive as possible

Career Development Centre Visit website for further info or to book an appointment to get your personal statement reviewed (current students)

Graduate Studies Orientation Dr. Pat Morgan Dean of Graduate Studies Wednesday 2 nd February 2011

Who are Graduate Studies? Dean –Pat Morgan Senior Administrator –Anna Marie Leonard Administrators –Sandra Donohue (on leave to April 2011) –Siobhán Cunningham

Research and Graduate Community Academic Staff781 Post-doctoral Researchers255 Postgraduate Students –Taught 1658 –Research 1044 International 309

University Research Guidelines Guidelines Structured PhD Graduate Research Committee Generic, Transferable and Discipline Specific Modules IUA IUQB

How to Find Funding - Resources Research Programmes –Supervisor / Competitive / Limited Taught Programmes –Financing a course is the responsibility of the student. –You may be eligible for a Local Authority Grant. Contact your local County Council -Higher Education Grants Office. –Revenue Office websites and –

How to Find Funding - Resources Research Office International Office Fees Office Research Accounts

How to Find Funding - Resources College Studentships Postgraduate Admissions / Graduate Studies Career Development Centre

Postgraduate research scholarships in the College of Science, NUI Galway Full-time research toward MSc or PhD degrees. Scholarships include fees (at EU rates) and annual stipends of up to €12,000 for up to four years. The closing date for applications is 5 pm, Friday, 18th February, 2011 Further information and application forms are available on the College of Science website: dprizes.htmlwww.nuigalway.ie/science/scholarshipsan dprizes.html

Other Possible Sources Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Research Board (HRB) Higher Education Authority (HEA) National University of Ireland (NUI) Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Teagasc

IRCSET Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology IRCSET is an independent research funding body established to promote science and engineering research in Irelandresearch scienceengineeringIreland Call for funding under the EMBARK Initiative 2011 (Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme). There will be one competition under this scheme in Call is currently open Accept applications until 16 February 2011 Further information can be found :

IRCHSS Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences IRCHSS aims to develop Ireland's research capacity IRCHSS 2011/12 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme is now open for applications Closing date is 4pm Monday February 21st 2011 Applicants can submit their queries to and the answers will be published in the FAQs IRCHSS website: dex.html dex.html

Graduate Skills Conversion Programme 2011/2012 NUI Galway Information Communications Technology (ICT) Reduced programme fees for entry 2011 (€2,750) –MSc (Information Systems Management) (F-T) – HDip (ApplSc [Software Design & Development])(F-T) – Master of Information Technology (F-T) – MSc Software Design and Development (F-T) – MBS Electronic Commerce (F-T) – Ard Diploma i dTeicneolaiocht na Faisneise (F-T) – MA/PDip in Digital Media (F-T) – MSc in Information Systems Management (P-T) – MSc Software Design and Development (P-T) See for details.