"Lament of the over-qualified and under-employed" article in The Australian newspaper reflects what we are seeing as a trend.
We get many calls from highly qualified university graduates who are interested in doing our courses as a 'practical topup' - to give them an edge in the competitive job market. While many people believe that a university education is the be all and end all of preparing for the job market, the article in yesterday's Australian by double doctorate degree holder Martin Davies paints a grim picture. For the enormous investment of money and time, there are no guarantees.

So what do you need to get work?
Qualifications help, but the things you have learned are far more important than the qualification you have earned.
Broad based learning is more useful; that way you can adapt to change. Too much specialised study can lock you into an inflexible position.
Networking is critical (which is why our school strongly encourages and supports students in building their networks, in and out of social media).
Communication skills are vital; verbal, written, and IT skills are all critical in most industries.

To read the article by Martin Davies, you can visit The Australian online and register for a free 28 day trial: Click here.

An excerpt from the Student Feedback Form we send to our students:
Student Name: Sheila Holliday
Course Name: Ornithology (Click to read full course profile)
Tutors Name: Alison
Is your work being marked satisfactorily? Yes
Do you find the course to be a valuable learning experience? Why/Why not? ---Absolutely, my tutor points out to me what is good and what needs improvement, in a very constructive way. Extremely helpful!!!!
Overall comments you may wish to make:
I think this course is brilliant. In every way, the tutors are very helpful, supportive and always responsive in a timely manner. Excellent!!

We are always interested to know what our graduates go on to do once they complete their studies with ACS. Do you have a story for us? Please email denise@acs.edu.au to let us know if you have something you would like to share with our newsletter readers!
A story about an ACS graduate:
Student Feedback: Jaqui Eyley, NZ - Freelance Writing course
"This course has just helped me get a job as a proof reader! At last I have found my dream job! I have read so many books on finding the perfect career, and then, advertised in the local paper, in between 'cleaner available' and 'care assistants wanted' was my job, 'proof reader required'. The work was for a national newspaper and they were looking for someone with a high level of literacy, an interest in farming and an eye for detail. In addition to my Freelance Writing course with ACS, I have a degree in law, a small holding, and I can pick nits till the cows come home; perfect! I couldn't believe my luck; someone was actually going to pay me to read the newspaper. The work was part time and so flexible I could even bring it home with me. My imagination worked overtime; I was already laid back in my hammock casually marking out mistakes with a glass of something cold and fizzy by my side.
Of course, in reality it is nothing like that; proof reading requires intense concentration and the ability to read very fast while picking out a variety of errors. The newspaper is a farming publication and while many articles are interesting, the technical subjects are hard work. One thing the job has taught me though, is that some writers are a lot better than others. If you know your subject well and are reliable, just about anyone can get published."

Below are our most popular courses last week. Click on each to read a full course profile.

Advanced Certificate in Nutritional Counselling
Life Coaching
Crops I
Dairy Cattle
Ornithology
Poultry
Sports Nutrition
Certificate in Animal Health
Beef Cattle