Graduating from college or university with a bachelor’s degree is certainly an accomplishment worth celebrating. In fact, it’s a major milestone many believe launches you into official adulthood. Although you can definitely jump into the job market with your new qualification under your belt, some choose to put this off for a while and instead stay in education to pursue an advanced degree. This is a tough and potentially costly choice, but it is one that offers a myriad of benefits and rewards. With that in mind, here are ten great reasons to pursue a master’s degree.
1. Improved Hiring Prospects
Today’s job market is especially competitive, with more people than ever applying for the same positions, many of whom will have earned graduate qualifications. With an undergraduate degree alone, you may struggle to stand out among these more highly educated prospects, thus making it more difficult for you to secure employment. If you had a master’s degree, however, you could improve your resume and odds of landing a job, as well as create leverage to negotiate terms.
2. Satisfy Job Requirements
For some jobs, a graduate qualification can put you ahead of the competition, but, for others, one is required to even qualify for an interview. If you’re seeking employment in a field or specific company where a master’s is a necessity, then you need to go ahead and get one. Even if you landed a role without a higher degree, organizations often do alter their hiring criteria. This means that, at some point in the future, you may need to pursue a master’s to keep your job.
3. Make Professional Connections
They say that it’s not what you know, but who you know that helps you to get ahead in the world of work. Whatever the case may be, a master’s degree can prove advantageous. As well as improving your knowledge, a graduate qualification allows you to connect with people on a professional level, from students to faculty members and more. By sharpening your people skills and networking, you can meet like-minded individuals who may benefit your career in the future.
4. Increased Earning Potential
We may not want to admit it, but money really does make the world go around. For this reason, it’s only natural to want to earn as much of it as you can. With a graduate degree, this is possible. After obtaining a master’s, you can massively increase your earning potential, which is shown in how much higher a masters of science in nursing salary is compared to the salary of those without one. This financial stability can be a major benefit to you in all areas of your life.
5. Better Job Security
The prospect of losing your job is certainly a scary one. As well as the emotional blow of the situation, your finances are also sure to take a hit. Although you can build an emergency fund to cover you in the event of job loss, it’s always better to avoid the possibility when possible. By pursuing a master’s degree, you can improve your value within an organization. Because of this, if cuts did have to be made in the workforce, your name should be at the very bottom of the list.
6. Age Means Nothing
Contrary to popular belief, education isn’t reserved solely for those young and without responsibilities. In fact, over the past few years, many programs have been created, both online and in the classroom, making it much easier for adults and nontraditional students to gain a higher education. If the only obstacle standing in the way of you and a master’s is your age, then don’t let it get the best of you. Age is just a number and means nothing to educational institutions.
7. Easier Career Changes
Earning a master’s offers versatility like you have never experienced before. As well as being qualified for the field that your master’s is actually in, you will also meet the requirements of a broader list of careers. With that in mind, you’ll find it much easier to jump into a new field and change your career when you choose to. A bachelor’s, on the other hand, can pin you down to one path, which is unfortunate, as very few people stick at the same job their entire lives.
8. Career Advancement Opportunities
A bachelor’s degree can help to earn you a solid entry-level position, but with this qualification alone, the opportunities for advancement in your field or company may be limited. This is the case whether you stick with the same job your entire life or change several times. By securing a master’s degree, however, you can naturally boost your career, allowing you to apply for better positions and qualify for a raise. A degree like this can also help to open up many other doors.
9. Sense Of Accomplishment
Obtaining a master’s degree is not easy. In fact, it’s viewed by many as incredibly challenging, and, as such, is also seen as a major accomplishment. After putting so much time and hard work into your education, you can really boost your sense of self-worth and self-esteem. When you feel better about yourself in this way, you will also be less affected by anxiety and stress, which improves the quality of both your personal and professional lives and makes you happier.
10. Learning Is Fun
As tough as earning a master’s can be, there’s no denying that it can be fun too. When you allow yourself to truly enjoy learning, all academic pursuits become acts of passion, making the process much easier and the work a lot more satisfying. This is especially true if you’re pursuing a degree in a field that you genuinely love, whether it be art or medicine. Although a master’s can benefit your career in many ways, many choose to learn for the simple pleasure of learning.
Pursuing a master’s is no easy feat, but it’s one that can improve your quality of life, as well as benefit your career.
This article is a partnered post that contains affiliate links.