Degrees of separation

Should I stay or should I go?' The Clash famously sang in 1982. This could easily apply to many Hongkongers deliberating whether to move overseas or remain in Hong Kong to study career-advancing postgraduate programmes.

According to a number of talent-recruitment agencies, the dilemma facing many individuals pursuing postgraduate education is how employers evaluate the merits of various qualifications and where they are obtained. They say that while there is often the perception that it is better to hire students who have an overseas university degree over those who graduated locally, there are also employers who acknowledge the value of locally acquired qualifications.

Marc Burrage, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong, says that in general, Hong Kong employers appreciate overseas-educated candidates due to their international exposure and perceived better language skills.

He adds, however, that one of the main benefits of studying a postgraduate degree locally is the connections made during the course. 'If you intend to develop your career in Hong Kong rather than overseas, then completing your postgraduate degree locally will allow you to build local connections,' he says. 'This will, of course, be a big advantage to your career in the long term.'

Another element an employer considers is whether or not the qualification was obtained on a full-time basis. 'Many candidates are opting to study overseas degrees locally via long-distance learning, but unfortunately this is not always well-received by employers who do not perceive the quality of such a study route,' he says.

Martin Cerullo, managing director for development, Asia-Pacific, at Alexander Mann Solutions, notes that employers are more interested in the quality of the degree course and its content, rather than simply where a person studies.

'There are fantastic degrees available locally. If you are studying locally and there is an opportunity to do an exchange abroad, this is an excellent way of adding international exposure,' he says.