Considering a Postgraduate Degree in STEM

Completing postgraduate studies can open up a plethora of new opportunities, but what are some of the things that you have to consider before making your decision?

While a postgraduate degree does not automatically lead to employment opportunities, it does greatly impact your career direction.

It is highly advisable, however, to spend some time gaining experience in your field of choice before pursuing a postgrad, so that you will know for certain which area to specialise in over your course of study. In addition, years of dedication to an employer might also lead to some form of support from the company.

Here is a brief outline of some of the certifications that STEM students may consider for their postgraduate studies, whether locally or overseas.

Master’s courses

Most master’s courses typically take no more than a year for a full-time student, so this will give you the allowance you need to specialise in a specific area of interest.

There are many types of courses available, and include options such as Master of Science (MSc), Master of Research (MRes), and Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Each degree provides you with in-depth knowledge of a specific subject, but have very different course structures.

For instance, MSc is coursebased and may sometimes require the submission of a short dissertation. On the other hand, MRes and MPhil are usually research-oriented. These two degrees are better suited for you if you are planning to continue with a doctorate, as they will help you build a foundation in research skills.

Working adults may opt for parttime courses instead, although they may take up to two or three years to complete.

However, if you already hold a job, you may want to speak to your employer before applying for your course of choice to gauge the level of support they can provide you with – for example, allowing you to adopt a more flexible schedule to accommodate both work and school, or any form of financial backing.

Doctorate courses

While all can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), engineering graduates have the option of looking at a Doctor of Engineering (EngD) as well, and each caters to different needs.

A PhD is the highest degree in STEM, and usually takes about three to four years to complete. Because there is much intensive coursework, it also involves a lot of ground-breaking inquiries, and generally results in dissertations and academic publications.

Because of this though, it is typically recommended for those drawn to a career in academia. You will primarily be guided by a supervisor as you conduct your research, although there will also be plenty of opportunities to work alongside other PhD students and researchers as well.

While some may opt to do a purely academic PhD, many others incorporate industry-related training from an industry partner for a more practical and hands-on experience instead. On top of that, depending on university requirements, you may have to commit at least three months to working on the industry partner’s premises.

An EngD course, on the other hand, usually focuses on researching about, and finding solutions, to contemporary industrial issues in the sector and can take up to four years to complete.

While EngD students are required to go for external courses on specialist technical and professional development subjects related to the area of research, onsite industrial training will take up nearly 75 per cent of their time.

Those who have graduated with an EngD also typically go on to become highly-specialised experts in their own fields, and guide others interested in their areas of expertise in turn.

Funding

In Singapore, there are scholarships offered by universities, government bodies and companies to help postgraduate students. However, you will need to communicate with the respective departments for more information.

For instance, the NUS Graduate School offers the Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrative Sciences and Engineering for students from any of the Commonwealth countries, whereas A*STAR has the National Science Scholarship and various collaborations with international universities around the globe.

You may also want to keep an eye out for international scholarships offered by various third-party funding organisations.

Location

Opting to study locally or at your alma mater is a good idea given that you will be familiar with the culture and staff in the university, and may also get special waivers or access to additional sources of funds. However, do not completely reject the idea of furthering your studies in a different institution or country!

Doing your postgraduate studies in a new environment will give you the chance to explore new networks, academic sources and expertise. Do not forget to run a basic check on the institute’s admission requirements, facilities provided and the resources that will be made available to you.

SCIENCE

Graduates looking to enter the sciences will be in for intriguing and unique careers, with opportunities to impact lives with products like new additives to toothpaste, or maintain public health and safety with weather prediction. Before entering this exceptional industry, flip through the coming pages for some words of advice!

Discover the one-of-a-kind opportunities the science sector can offer STEM graduates.

Sector Essentials

Future-Proofing Your Science Career ................. 34 The Benefits of Working in the Science Sector ....................................... 36

Areas of Work

Environmental Science ...................................... 38 Food Technology and Safety .............................. 39 Meteorology ...................................................... 40 Research Chemistry ........................................... 41 Science Writing .................................................. 42