5 signs you're ready for postgraduate study

Considering more study? Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly popular in today's competitive work environment, but it's still a big step to take.

Whether you've just finished a bachelor's degree or you're already well into your career, here are 5 signs you're ready to take the plunge and head back to uni. 

1.You believe in life-long learning

As a uni, we’re big fans of education—and not just education for high school leavers. We believe in learning at every age and every stage.

Not only does it keep our brains healthier, but continued learning has a variety of benefits both personal and professional:

• Find new interests (or even a new career)
• Gain new skills for job mobility
• Boost your self-confidence and self-motivation
• Get out of your comfort zone

From something as simple as a course for making the perfect coffee to an ongoing quest to master a foreign language, your lifelong learning journey is only limited by your own ambitions, interests and career goals. 

2. You’re feeling out of touch with the latest technologies and ways of working

According to OECD estimates, over one billion jobs (that’s almost 1/3 of job worldwide) are likely to be transformed by technology by 2030. That’s not so far away!

Because the way we work is rapidly shifting, the best way to future-proof your career and stay ahead of the curve is to continue learning new transferable skills and keep up-to-date on trends in your industry. 

In any workplace, you’ll find that the most effective employees like to work on their professional development. Regardless of your field, an employee that actively seeks to understand emerging ideas and new ways of working is a highly valuable one. 

Keep reading: Claire upskilled with a 6-month postgraduate course that allowed her to learn about the elements that impact her profession.

3. You’re interested in a career in research

A career in research might make some people wince, but those who love the thought of deep diving into knowledge know how exciting research can be.

As a research-intensive university, we are proud to house internationally-recognised researchers whose work makes a real difference to the environment, the economy, the lives of individuals and society as a whole.

Researchers will tell you their careers are challenging yet highly rewarding. You can pursue projects that you’re totally passionate about, collaborate with like-minded people, stretch your mind, and become an expert in your area.

Keep reading: Check out some of the ground-breaking work our CDU researchers are working on.

4. You want a pay rise

Climbing the career ladder can take years, and the job market is getting more and more competitive.

Having a postgraduate qualification on your CV can set you apart from other job seekers and fellow employees. It indicates to an employer that you’re serious about your career and that you have an in-depth knowledge of your field.

The salary outcomes for postgraduate coursework graduates are much higher than for undergraduates, being $21,500 higher in the short-term and $23,000 higher in the medium-term (QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey).

5. You want to change careers entirely

It’s 9.30am on a Monday and you suddenly realise this isn’t the career you had envisioned for yourself. It happens.

In fact, plenty of CDU graduates have been in your shoes before and went on to study something completely different.

If you already have an undergraduate degree, professional postgraduate degrees at CDU are usually faster than studying the equivalent undergrad degree. Plus, the networking opportunities you gain are highly valuable when starting in a new field and can even lead to employment!

Keep reading: Find out how to change your career entirely in just two years at CDU.

Ready to dive in? Choose Charles Darwin University for your Higher Degree by Research or explore our many postgraduate courses.