Postgraduate study is so much more than just getting a qualification or moving up in your career. It goes beyond networking and gaining new skills. Dr Walter Jarvis, a senior lecturer and researcher in the UTS Business School, shares five reasons why the postgraduate experience is so valuable.
1. Inspires greater ambition
Many begin postgraduate studies with the aim of improving their skills and career prospects. However, what often unfolds is a journey of discovery, leading to richer insights and greater curiosity. As you progress from a graduate certificate to a master's, and maybe even a PhD, your initial goals may evolve into broader ambitions with significant social impact, extending far beyond personal achievement.
2. Purpose-driven learning
Postgraduate study is most fulfilling when it is driven by a greater purpose, such as contributing to the public good in areas like health, safety, justice and transparency. Universities are uniquely positioned to encourage the questioning of old ideas and the exploration of new solutions. Through research and discussion, you can tackle complex social, political and environmental challenges, deepening your understanding and fostering a collective commitment to care for the world.
3. Character growth
Postgraduate studies differ from undergraduate programs by emphasising deeper expertise and character development. Postgrad programs focus on a person's true character and trustworthiness over popularity and cognitive intelligence. Students also delve into a hierarchy of values, uncovering the importance of plurality, humility, hope and compassion in our lives.
4. Newfound appreciation
Engaging in postgraduate studies often leads to a newfound appreciation for democracy, diversity, creativity and experimentation. Democracy fosters inclusive decision-making, diversity provides fresh perspectives and values the standpoint of others, creativity leads to novel solutions, and experimentation encourages learning from experiences and exploring new possibilities.
These experiences foster a lifelong passion for learning and often a deeper appreciation for the humanities – not separate from, but together with the natural and social sciences.
Postgraduate studies encourage you to embrace both the challenges and rewards of learning, opening up a rich world of knowledge and curiosity.
5. Bringing theory and practice together
Postgraduate studies demonstrate the important link between theory and practice. While practical experience is often praised, universities are grounded in research that deepens our understanding of these practices.
Theory and practice are interconnected — a balance recognised by the ancient Greeks and still relevant today. Postgraduate study introduces "praxis," which means acting wisely by integrating practical knowledge with deep reflection.
Postgraduate students put this into action by blending theoretical insights with hands-on experiences. Through coursework, research projects, internships and other practical activities, they apply academic concepts to real-world challenges. This process enhances their skills and understanding, and reflecting on these experiences helps them become holistic problem-solvers, making meaningful contributions to their fields and society.
Postgraduate studies simply enrich lives – personally and collectively!
Ready to make an impact and grow personally and professionally? Discover how postgraduate study can help you achieve your goals. Enquire about postgraduate study at UTS here.