Will a Post Grad Qualification Help You Steer a Path Through a Tough Job Market?

I’ve contributed recently to a couple of articles on the subject of whether obtaining a post grad qualification will give you an edge over your contemporaries in television. I can understand why this has raised itself again, with the fairly bruising market conditions still being felt in the industry at the moment, many freelancers are finding themselves thinking about going back to study as a way to kick-starting their career.

Before I rattle on, it might be worth taking a deep breath to absorb the sobering air of current stats: there are now over 15,000 people studying at post gradate or higher education level for a media related subject, with nearly 3,000 courses available to choose from – that’s a lot of people and an overwhelming choice. You can breathe out again.

As many of you know, whatever you’ve studied previously, getting started in television, normally means grafting on the ground floor in roles such as a runner. This normally entails fetching the post, making endless cups of tea and generally being prepared to do anything that’s asked of you (hopefully, within reason). The essential bit here is that you’re getting valuable experience, gaining a much better understanding of realities of working in production and making contacts for future work.

Ok, but you’re out of work and have that 2:1 in Biology, is an MA in Film Studies going to have companies falling over themselves to have you working for them because they think that post grad makes you stand out from the crowd? Well, I put that very question (or one very similar) to a few production company execs. The response was a little surprising but perhaps realistic, as one commented, “I do take notice of any post grad qualification someone may have but really I’m still looking for someone with work experience, personality and passion”.

A recruitment manager for a very large production company told me, “if someone has a post grad degree I use it as an indicator of discipline of learning and their thought process, but it doesn’t mean the person has the necessary skills set, attitude or aptitude to perform in the role. Other factors have to be considered – has the person done any voluntary work within the industry or taken time off to go travelling? It can make for a more rounded person than someone who has just stepped out of college at the age of 23 after years of continual study. It’s good to see some depth.”

What seems clear to me is that production companies’ attitude to candidates with postgraduate qualifications seems to vary from one company to another. For some, it is another way of helping sort CVs out into the ‘yes’,’ no’ or ‘maybe’ piles; another piece of paper will not be enough to secure that all important job. To quote one exec, “if you just have a Masters, you will not stand out against the person who has done 3 – 6 months’ work experience. The ideal combination is to have the Masters and the work experience.”

For those that that had a positive view about a PG course, they were keen to stress the need to be clear on why you are doing one. To quote one creative resources manager, “by all means go for it, but before you embark on one or two years of intensive study, get some good careers advice as to how it might actually benefit you. As far as I’m concerned, a business related course such as an MBA will give you a more relevant set of new skills than opting for an MA in History of Art”. Another production manager added, “if you are going along the further study route, then make sure its to specialise; pursue a course that is career focused to help you acquire new skills that will give you a genuine advantage”.

And what of the colleges and universities themselves? How do you choose the right one? Many colleges now insist lecturers retain industry contacts so when considering where to study a post grad course, it is important to research the links the college or university has with the industry. This could be far more important than the certificate itself and could provide you with useful contacts once you’ve completed your course.

The media industry covers a wide range of different careers and has expanded even more in the last five years with the growth of digital media. Think carefully about what would be best for you, do you want a more vocational course? Do you need to learn cutting edge technical skills? What experience and knowledge do you have already? If you want to study a technical course be aware that syllabuses will change every year due to developments in technology so make sure the college or university is at the forefront of these changes.

What seems very clear is that whilst you’re studying, make the most of any part-time jobs or work experience that you’re offered and network with anyone in the industry as much as possible.

So, is it worth it? If you’ve got the talent and are driven there’s nothing to be frightened of but just make sure you research and pick your path carefully as to what and where you study. And always remember, this industry is built on contacts, you can have all the qualifications under the sun, but you will still need to network like there is no tomorrow and get to know as many people as possible.