Entrepreneur Spencer Schar worked full time while completing his master of business administration degree, achieving a 3.85 grade point average across the two years of his studies. This article will take a closer look at graduate degrees, exploring the pros and cons of graduates continuing their education to gain further qualifications.
Graduate school need not necessarily be the right choice for every student. Nevertheless, for many it is a worthwhile endeavor, with their investment of time, effort, and money paying off in dividends in the long run. A graduate degree can help to boost an individual’s earning potential, as well as helping them to achieve personal and professional goals.
Prior to embarking on the application process, undergraduates need to consider their motives, identifying the reasons why they are considering attending graduate school to ensure they are pursuing a master’s degree for the right reasons.
Sometimes students lack self-defined career goals, in which case they may find themselves following other people’s advice rather than working out the best next step for them. They may find themselves pursuing a master’s degree to help them clarify their career options. Some students follow the route of continued education simply because they wish to postpone “living in the real world” for a while and don’t feel ready to find a full-time job. For students able to commit the time and money required to pursue further education, a master’s degree nonetheless provides significant benefits for job seekers.
Studying at university helps young people to expand their knowledge, gaining new experiences and new perspectives. Further education also helps them to meet new people, broadening their network. In addition, campus life aids personal growth, providing a taste of freedom and independence – helping young people to expand their horizons and boosting their self-confidence. Irrespective of an individual’s interests, universities enable students to enjoy a diverse social life, providing access to a huge range of clubs and societies.
Studying at university presents an opportunity for self-exploration, with students changing their majors as they see fit, trying out various student organizations, and testing their interests through internships. The attached PDF takes a closer look at internships, examining the pros and cons.
For employers seeking skilled and qualified workers, university graduates are an attractive choice. Degree holders also benefit from enhanced earning potential, with data from UCAS suggesting that a graduate’s salary is typically 30% higher than a nongraduate. In addition, 90% of graduates either enter further study or work within six months of graduation, UCAS research suggests.
Graduate school best serves students with a clear career goal and path in mind. The attached video takes a closer look at some of the most desirable aptitudes for management role candidates in 2024.
Valid reasons to consider graduate school include:
- A passion for a specific subject and a desire to gain qualifications and expertise in the field
- The student benefiting from sufficient time and financial resources to devote to further education
- A desire to pursue a specialized career path that requires further education to enter the profession
In some instances, for example where the student lacks a clear career goal, it may be prudent to avoid enrolling in graduate school for a few years. However, for those with clear career goals and a desire or need for further study, a master’s degree is highly regarded by employers, particularly in the legal profession and STEM fields. While possessing a master’s degree is by no means a guarantee of success when applying for an open role, according to the UK Government’s Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2020 report, both postgraduates and graduates benefit from higher employment rates than working-age adults without degrees.