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 Over the past year, a lot of young New Zealanders – and young people all over the Western world – have gone back to university.
Last year, most New Zealand universities reported record numbers of enrolments as young people gave up on searching for non-existent jobs, and decided to gain further qualifications instead. According to the New Zealand Universities electronic news bulletin, Massey University enrolments were up 8% last year, Waikato University enrolments were up 6% and Victoria University enrolments were up nearly 3%.
At the beginning of 2009 the University of Auckland reported a 24% increase in enrolments for postgraduate courses and a 12% increase in applications across the board. And in September, Judith McKay, AUT University’s General Manager of Finance and Estates, told participants at the Robert Half CFO Roundtable that the university’s domestic enrolments had increased by 8 per cent, largely as a result of school
leavers who could not find jobs and people looking to upgrade their qualifications.
With Department of Labour figures putting unemployment at 6.5% for the September quarter – and 16.8% for the under-25s – there is no sign that this surge in tertiary enrolments is about to slow. Indeed, with most commentators predicting unemployment will rise a little more before it falls, universities and polytechnics are bracing for another surge in enrolments this year.
But is going back to university always the right reaction to a slow job market? Might you be better off taking another approach: travel or volunteering, for example? Here are some things to consider before you decide to head back to university and gain another qualification:
What will the job market really be like? If you already have one degree, certificate or diploma, any extra qualifications you gain should directly relate to the career you want to pursue and increase your chances of finding a job. Research the field and consider its future career prospects. Especially if you are enrolling for a second degree that will take two to three years, remember that the demand for workers in that industry could change dramatically by the time you finish. Go to industry groups related to your career choice and ask what employment predictions are, or even start with the Department of Labour’s Skills Insight Tool (www.dol.govt.nz ) for an overview.
Would bolstering your work experience be better? If you’ve just completed a degree and don’t need an extra qualification to pursue your chosen career, gaining work experience might actually be your best option. “Well, of course,” I can hear you say, “but I’m only considering further study because I can’t actually find a job.” However, there are ways to gain experience other than through full-time employment. Consider part-time roles, temporary work, internships or volunteer opportunities. As well as boosting your work history, spending some time “in the trenches” can also help you better formulate your career goals and determine what form of advanced education — if any — is right for you.
Have you considered the alternatives? Rather than doing another full-time course, what about attending night classes or pursuing an industry qualification, and perhaps taking a part-time or fill-in job while you do so. Might that suit your personality, financial needs and long-term goals better?
Or if you were planning to work for a couple of years and then go and do your OE, have you considered changing the order? Could you go and do your OE now, then come back prepared to settle down and get stuck into your career when you get back? If you have been working for a couple of years and been made redundant, now may be the perfect time to fulfil those travel dreams. The upside of this strategy is that you will gain a lot of life experience along the way, and when you come back, ready to focus on your career, some employers may see you as a more stable proposition.
When jobs are difficult to come by, going back to university can feel like a way to achieve something positive. And certainly, gaining further qualifications has helped many people achieve their career goals. But before you jump in head first, give careful thought to your decision and determine if this is the best way to achieve your goals in the current climate, or whether another course of action might not make more sense. Megan Alexander is the general manager of www.roberthalf.co.nz
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