A masters degree is a great investment in your future and it’s a pivotal moment in your career development. But the qualification alone isn’t going to land you that dream job.
The most important piece of advice I want to give you as a future student is to start planning for your future job now. To help you do that, I’ve put together a few actions you can take before joining Queen Mary that will give you a head start.
The most important first step is to clarify your long-term career goals. While it’s normal to not have every detail figured out, having a general sense of the field, industry, or type of role you want to pursue will make it easier to tailor your degree experience toward your career objectives. Begin by researching the industries or sectors that interest you, identifying the types of roles available, and considering how your postgraduate degree can bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
In today’s competitive job market, building a personal brand is crucial. A well-defined personal brand helps you stand out from other candidates and demonstrates your value to potential employers. Use your LinkedIn profile to highlight key skills, previous work, and any relevant projects or qualifications that show off your passion and expertise. One of my favourite things about LinkedIn is all the short courses available. Once you complete them, you can add the badge to your LinkedIn profile and employers will see it. Why not do a few of these that are related to your future studies? There are so many relevant courses in fascinating areas such as Data Storytelling, Algorithmic Trading, Project Management, Inferential Statistics and Risk Management.
Employers value candidates who have strong transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, time management, and critical thinking. A degree in Mathematical Sciences is going to equip you with specific technical knowledge, but it’s important to start developing those soft skills now. Are there projects you could get involved with? Or internships that would allow you to build these skills?
If you don’t have time to take on extra responsibilities right now, there are simple habits you can start to help develop these skills. Create space and time for self-reflection, ask people for feedback, and practice adaptability and critical thinking in your day-to-day life.
Queen Mary offers a wealth of resources designed to support your career development, from jobs fairs to work experience programmes to CV workshops to practice interviews. I recommend taking some time to get to know the services on offer and start planning which ones you’re going to use. I really can’t stress how important it is to start engaging with our careers services from the moment you arrive. The sooner they understand your career goals, the sooner they’ll be able to help you map out what to do during your time at Queen Mary.
Networking is one of the most effective ways to find and learn about job opportunities. Building a strong professional network can open doors to roles that you might not be aware of otherwise. Now that you know what course you’re going to study in September, start connecting with and following industry professionals from your chosen field on LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice. The more people you connect with, the more likely it is that you’ll hear about opportunities that align with your goals.
The postgraduate degrees in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Queen Mary offer a lot of flexibility. With elective modules on all programmes and career-focussed specialisms across some of them, our courses align with industry needs and trends. You are a unique individual with unique career aspirations, so your degree programme should be customisable. Think carefully about which modules will help you bridge your skill gaps or deepen your understanding of certain areas. Think strategically about what you can take from each aspect of your programme and how it will directly contribute to your employability.
Remember that you’ll be working on an independent research project in the third term. This is a great way to consolidate your learning and create something you can showcase to and discuss with future employers. Start thinking about what you’d like to work on and how this aligns with your career goals.
Many employers value professional experience above everything else, so this is key to landing your dream job. Start researching potential companies before your course begins so you can apply early and secure valuable work experience while you’re here in London. If you can’t commit to a full-time position, is there relevant volunteering you can do? So many organisations need skilled mathematicians and data analysts to help inform their decision making and strategic planning. You might find opportunities in the least likely places like former MSc Data Analytics student, Muhammad Mustafa, who offered his data skills to a local community project providing food banks for people in need.
A masters degree is a big investment in your future and all of us here in the School of Mathematical Sciences are committed to helping you find the right job for you. We will support you every step of the way before, during and after your studies.
But don’t wait until halfway through your programme to start thinking about your next steps. Finding a job in today’s competitive job market requires time and effort and I hope these tips will help you get closer to your dream job.