8 Unique Reasons to Pursue a Master’s Degree
After spending four years completing your bachelor’s degree, going back to school to earn your master’s degree might not be your first goal. Pursuing and completing a master’s degree, however, can lead to a higher salary. In fact, in many fields, those with a master’s degree earn the second highest salary with those that hold doctorates just above them.
If a higher wage isn’t enough to convince you, there are several other reasons why a master’s degree is worth your time. Whether you’re fresh out of college with a bachelor’s degree or you’ve already been in the workforce for a few years, below are just a few unique reasons to pursue a master’s degree.
#1. Allows for a Career Switch
Perhaps you’re unhappy with your current job or you want to switch to a more specialized sector. With a master’s degree, you’re much more likely to be offered or considered qualified for a higher position.
No matter what industry you work in, master’s degrees can be leveraged to land you that very niche leadership position or change your career altogether. Teachers with a master’s in education can switch to administrative roles or allow you to move into corporate and nonprofit work.
#2. Gives You a Competitive Edge
The job market is pretty good right now in most places, but having a competitive edge to your resume can further help you move up and progress in your career. Some jobs will require a master’s degree for you to even be considered, but even if this isn’t the case, it can give you a step up above other applicants.
#3. Can Be Completed Online or In-Person
Master’s degrees are often a bit more flexible than bachelor’s degrees. Lots of the students in the program will also be working either part-time or full-time and need more flexibility in their schedule. With this in mind, you won’t have to worry about making time in your work schedule to complete your master’s degree.
Many universities offer online master’s degrees in education. With many options to choose from and a variety of different universities, it’s very likely that you’ll find the perfect master’s degree for your interests without having to go to a physical campus to complete the work.
With the choice between online and in-person degree programs, you’re able to choose the best program for your learning style and for your current work schedule.
If you’re able to arrange your work schedule around your learning, then you may be perfectly fine to complete an in-person degree. For anyone who doesn’t have this flexibility, though, online degree programs are rapidly becoming more available and continue to provide quality education.
#4. Update Your Knowledge
Every industry will slowly change over time. While you may have graduated with relevant knowledge, it’s possible that things have changed in the time since you earned your bachelor’s degree. Returning to school to complete a master’s degree ensures that you are up to date on any advancements or industry changes.
A master’s degree helps hone and develop your skills. Even if you have no prior experience in your study field, you’ll graduate with practiced skills and knowledge that you can take with you back to work. With updated knowledge, you’re better able to complete your work and bring a new, open mindset to the work table.
#5. Get Paid to Do It
Some employers are willing to pay for their employees to complete a master’s degree. While they may not state it outright, it’s always worth asking. Especially if your company has ‘flexible benefits’. You may be able to convince your company to at least sponsor your studies.
Being paid to pursue a master’s degree may take on one of several different forms. Your employer may give you a sponsorship, they may reimburse part or all of your studies, or they may send you to a partner university to complete your degree.
If you’re unsure how to talk to your employer about paying for or sponsoring your studies, research some tips on how to start the conversation as well as what to keep in mind.
#6. Improve Your Brain Function
It shouldn’t be surprising to learn that continued studies keep your brain healthy. As you learn new skills, your brain is forced to rewire itself and grow to accommodate this new knowledge. No, it doesn’t physically grow, but it certainly changes and you get a feeling of accomplishment.
Earning a master’s degree is a great way to keep learning and growing your brain. Master’s degrees can be challenging, but the challenge is good for your brain and will keep it healthy for longer.
#7. Opens Networking Abilities
When you’re studying for your master’s degree, you’ll meet other students from all sorts of different backgrounds. Some may have just completed their bachelor’s degree and others may have already been in the workplace for several years. With such a wide variety of students, your network expands.
Even if you choose to complete an online master’s degree, you’ll still see your personal network expand. Whether you only ever connect with your professors or you attend online study groups with your classmates, taking the time to network and meet people is a possibility that you may not otherwise have.
#8. Boosts Credibility
Workers that hold a master’s degree are often considered to be more credible than someone with only an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees have a different weight to them and help hone your skills in a way that undergraduate degrees don’t.
No matter what industry you work in, holding a master’s degree provides you with credibility that many of your colleagues or other applicants don’t have.
Don’t Stop Expanding Your Skills
Master’s degrees are a challenge, but they’re well worth it! Once completed, you’ll have something to be proud of and feel accomplished about.
The best part about master’s degrees is that there’s no age or time limit. You can be as young or as old as you want and you’ll still fit right in with your classmates. It’s never too late to continue your education and expand your professional skills.
