Doing Another Bachelor's Degree Versus Doing A Post-Graduate Course?

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  ThePensioner on 31/07/2017 - 05:06

  To summarise, I guess my real question is:

  What are the benefits of doing another Bachelor's degree instead of doing post-graduate study?

  Thanks!

  • 

    original15 on 31/07/2017 - 09:07

    As some have alluded to, it's going to depend on what sort of work the person wants to get into, and what's going to help the most. If they have no idea (just a guess having done an arts degree), I'm not sure if diving into more study (and hecs debt) is the best outcome

    Have a conversation with them about what type of jobs they want to do, or what they were applying for with no success, what's the theme in these roles? Do they need to lower expectations? Do they need another qual (surely doesn't need to start another whole bachelors degree and delay making a decision or starting work by another 3 years?)
    If lost on direction there are options to help

• 

  altomic on 31/07/2017 - 07:35

  depends on several things.

  (1) how long since they did their previous degree - if it is over a certain number of years then they won't be able to use the previous subjects as credits for electives.
  (2) depends on the field - are they wanting to study in the same field as the original degree?

  there are several other factors to consider

  really need more information

  What are the benefits of doing another Bachelor's degree instead of doing post-graduate study?

  when you are doing a survey and it asks what is your highest level of study then you get to choose "post-graduate" rather than "under-graduate"

  source : i finished a post grad degree in psych last year

• 

  RockyRaccoon on 31/07/2017 - 07:48

  +1

  Do another course, that way they can delay getting a job, and if that doesn't work, then get a 3rd degree. Its all the rage.

  Either that or take a job in a service industry and do like many others have done, work their way to the top, rather than the belief that a degree entitles them to the CEO's position.

  Remember the greatest beneficiary of higher education is hgher education.

• 

  nautic on 31/07/2017 - 07:55

  +4

  Good luck getting a job with a postgraduate degree and no work experience.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 31/07/2017 - 08:40

    this

  • 

    bobbified on 31/07/2017 - 10:57

    +1

    I've got many friends in this same situation.

    They either become:

    1. Overqualified for entry level jobs and/or
    2. Not enough experience for a more senior role.

    I've told all my younger friends to go part time work/study in their final year of their bachelors to gain some experience so that it set themselves apart from all the other grads that have nothing else other than a piece of paper.

    In Asian countries, there's a huge focus on qualifications and more often than not, employers would prefer someone that's got lots of paper over someone that's got the experience. Over here in Australia, it's the other way around.

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  toniyellow on 31/07/2017 - 07:56

  +3

  What kind of Masters? Specialising more in what they already studied, or changing fields?

  e.g. Wants a job in international relations and isn't getting there because it is competitive. Better to specialise with a Masters, than take another similar Bachelors degree.

  e.g. Wants to become an accountant. A conversion Masters that lets anyone in is the same as a bachelors. Will be applying to the same entry level jobs on graduation, there is no difference, so just a trade off between faster speed of Masters and cheaper price of Bachelors. Personally I'd go with the Bachelors, and really concentrate on extracurriculars and things to add to employability, learn mistakes from the first degree.

  In either case I would do ANYTHING else for a year between the two. There is a lot of maturity to be gained from stepping outside uni for a bit. Teach English in China to make some cash and see the world. Stay here, drive for Uber and try to write the great Australian novel. Anything at all will give them some perspective and make studying the second time more valuable.

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  teacherer on 31/07/2017 - 08:27

  Masters for sure
  If it's in an area where there's work obviously

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  nubzy on 31/07/2017 - 08:31

  +3

  It doesn't even have to be a masters. He could do a graduate diploma. More prestige than a bachelors and only 1 year to complete.

  • 

    teacherer on 31/07/2017 - 09:11

    Good idea
    While looking for work

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  Mumbles on 31/07/2017 - 08:45

  If its about killing time as well as building up qualifications then they can also consider doing an MBA (Masters in Business Administration). An MBA used to be valuable in the USA and useless in Oz but maybe things have changed?

  Maybe they like kids. If so then consider becoming a teacher. The first degree would not have been wasted. Though jobs are very competitive and its very difficult to secure a permanent teaching position.

  If its about getting into a job then perhaps consider going to TAFE and entering an apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer.

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  bobbified on 31/07/2017 - 11:09

  because he can't find work anywhere

  Whenever I hear someone say this, I really wonder.

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  RandomNinja on 31/07/2017 - 12:58

  +1

  I was in a similar situation after graduating with a degree with limited work options at the time. Decided to go back to study and had the same debate whether to Masters or Bachelors.

  In the end I went with Masters as I could get credit for a couple of subjects and the duration would only be a year if I did a class over summer. Time saving plus higher qualification sold it for me. Having said that, the degree didn't become relevant until after I had a few years experience in the workplace and could apply for appropriate roles.

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  Word on 03/08/2017 - 21:02

  Engineering.