Is Grad School Worth the Investment?

After a student finishes their undergraduate schooling, they are faced with a choice. This choice is continuing on to get their graduate degree or to immediately move on to their chosen career. Here are some reasons why continuing your education may certainly be worth it.

Advancement

While a bachelor’s degree is certainly a solid foundation for your education, a master’s degree takes it to the next level. A four-year degree will get your foot in the door in most organizations, but if you hold a master’s degree, you may instantly qualify for management positions.

This helps you to avoid the time it takes to work your way up the corporate ladder. In fact, in many professions, you will need an advanced degree to ever move beyond the frontline ranks. If you have the desire to go as far as you can in your career, a master’s degree is the key to doing that.

Flexibility

Master’s degrees offer flexibility in career choices. If you want to leave your current profession to pursue a career in another interest, you can enter a master’s program if you already have an undergraduate degree.

You can also take out graduate student loans from a private lender to help pay for your time in school. A master’s degree tends to be more expensive than an undergraduate degree, but it is worth it in the end with the extra compensation. Think of it as investing in your future.

Credibility

While this is an intangible benefit, it is still certainly a valuable one. By attaining your degree at the graduate level, people will look at you in a whole new light. A master’s degree gives an air of legitimacy to any work that you do. Professionals who author books are looked at as experts in their fields when they hold at least a master’s in their field.

Finances

While some may say that money isn’t everything, it is still certainly important. A master’s degree enables you to earn more money from your employer or to charge more for your services.

With a higher income potential, you can count on being able to retire comfortably, and also take better care of your family if the need arises. Those with a master’s degree could look forward to earning 25% more than undergraduates while those with doctorate’s degrees earn 50% more than undergraduates.

Improved Networking

When you are attending graduate school, you are exposed to a wide network of people from all sorts of industries and backgrounds. This offers amazing networking opportunities that will almost certainly aid you in your professional career.

On top of this, the professors from which you learn have real-world experience so you are assured that they know of which they speak. By networking effectively, you are presented with more opportunities to meet other professionals, advance even further in your career, and learn about other job openings.

Specialized Learning

By entering graduate school, you are able to study focused specialties in the field you are working in. By learning about specialized fields of knowledge, you are also showing those in your company that you are willing to learn every facet of the work that is being done.