By: William Ward
If you are among the cynics who believe that higher education can’t get
you anywhere, here’s some food for thought. According to the U.S. Census
Bureau, those who held a graduate or professional degree earned $15,321
more than baccalaureates and a handsome $35,726 more than high school
diploma holders.
Still not convinced to get a Master’s degree? Then you should probably
think back to the time when someone else was given a promotion over you or
when you did not make it through an interview to your dream job. While a
graduate degree would not have guaranteed you the promotion or the job you
had been seeking, it could have brought you closer.
So, if you are looking for career mobility, if you dream of leading a team
someday and take home a fat paycheck, Master’s degrees may pave the way
for you. Here are a few reasons why pursuing a graduate degree makes sense
and how it can help you advance your career:
• Those with a graduate degree are considered specialists in their fields.
• Their knowledge base is considered to be wider and richer.
• Some professions have Master’s degrees as the minimum credential.
• Management level jobs in various fields require a Master’s degree.
• Master’s degrees will help you pick up important skills like time
management, leadership, team playing, and communication that form the
basis of all supervisory roles.
• Graduate degrees help you remain marketable and competitive.
• A Master’s degree will help you prepare for a career switch.
• You can take advantage of education benefit programs that many employers
offer.
• By pursuing a graduate degree, you will create a positive impression on
your employer.
However, a major worry for most professionals considering higher education
is the skyrocketing tuition fee, especially for sought after programs like
an MBA. Besides, not everyone can afford to take time off work for
academic sojourns.
For such individuals, the availability of Master’s degrees online is an
excellent alternative. Not only an online graduate degree is a lot more
economical than traditional on-campus program, it also offers you the
flexibility to study at your own pace, on your own time, and at your own
convenience.
By pursuing an online Master’s degree, you will give your career the much
needed shot in the arm without putting your personal life and professional
commitments at stake!
Another area of concern is the effects of economic downturn on higher
education. While many question the wisdom in pursuing a Master’s degree at
the time of recession, others believe that it is the ideal way to spend
time constructively if you are between jobs. It will help you stay
motivated, sharpen your skills and help you learn new ones, and once the
dust on the economic crisis settles down, you will have emerged better
from it.
