Overseas/local degrees and the job prospects? (1 Viewer)

[ZComet]

Hi there. This is my first post in this forum. I'm not exactly Australian but I suppose that you guys would know better about the dilemma I am facing now.

I always wanted to study overseas and not because of the prestige or touristic factor. It's because I want to have a degree that holds value worldwide. I anticipate that upon graduation it would be extremely likely that I will not get a job that is not overqualified and underpaid in my own country, and thus I need to have opportunities open for me in Singapore, Europe, USA and the rest. But it's very, very difficult for me to secure funding so most likely I am stuck here in Malaya University in Malaysia.

I know that a degree from a big name uni is a plus, but my question is....if I did everything that I possibly can - that is, brush up my personality, publish regularly in undergraduate math journals, get top places in international math competitions, become an active participant in math conferences, etc. Would I have a chance of outcompeting the other job seekers in the field despite a degree from a lesser known institution?

(to illustrate my problem, have any of you Australians ever heard of Malaya University?)

Thanks guys.

 

[runnable]

If your job is in the realm of maths, then yes I would say you have a very good chance if you do all those things you said.

 

[Survivor39]

Would I have a chance of outcompeting the other job seekers in the field despite a degree from a lesser known institution?

(to illustrate my problem, have any of you Australians ever heard of Malaya University?)

No I haven't heard of Malaya University. However, it is not just degree itself that will determine whether you will have a good job prospect. As you have already mentioned, you need to be a well-rounded person and be active in your field. If you do all of those extra activities, you are essentially learning a completely different sets of skills in addition to your skills from university.

I don't see how you will be outcompeted with all of those experiences just because you are from a lesser institution. It will only matter if you have two candidates with very similar experience and qualification that a minor thing like prestigious will come into play.