As if more evidence of the growing trend toward postgraduate education was needed, a recent study by the Anders-Clifton Group noted that the percentage of published job offerings requiring a master’s degree or above has increased by twenty percent over the last five years. For many students, the issue isn’t whether to pursue a master’s degree, but in which field. Business, technology, health care and the pharmacology are all safe bets considering their projected track records in the current climate, but what about students who have undergraduate educations outside of one of these staples?
Many fields that are appealing at the undergraduate level leave a lot to be desired at the postgraduate level. The earnings differential between bachelor and master’s degree holders can be minimal for specific degrees, barely covering the cost of education over the short term. For students with undergraduate majors who fall into this category, it’s often a better decision to pursue a business related master’s program regardless of undergraduate study.
Of course, not all educational pursuits are undertaken for better earnings or upward mobility. Still, the safety in a business related masters, such as an MBA, lies in that all undergraduate level employment opportunities outside of non-profit organizations are businesses first and companies of specialization second. In other words, because business is a part of any companies success, having a business education is the ultimate safety net.
Some master’s degree programs relegate students to finite employment possibilities, provided they intend to use their education in the job market. For fields with shortages of qualified personnel or low competition for available jobs, this can present an ideal situation. For fields with high competition for jobs, however, postgraduate educational tracts such as these can represent a loss of both tuition and time.
Though the typical master’s program represents only a two to three year time commitment, the cost of tuition has caused countless students to re-think their ambitions when it comes to postgraduate education. If post graduation earning potential and employment opportunities are of importance to those considering a master’s program, it pays to evaluate the likely outcome of all available options. Though it may mean added prerequisite coursework and a slightly longer time commitment, a degree with the power to elevate earnings and all but guarantee employment is a wise investment in time and money.
Many fields that are appealing at the undergraduate level leave a lot to be desired at the postgraduate level. The earnings differential between bachelor and master’s degree holders can be minimal for specific degrees, barely covering the cost of education over the short term. For students with undergraduate majors who fall into this category, it’s often a better decision to pursue a business related master’s program regardless of undergraduate study.
Of course, not all educational pursuits are undertaken for better earnings or upward mobility. Still, the safety in a business related masters, such as an MBA, lies in that all undergraduate level employment opportunities outside of non-profit organizations are businesses first and companies of specialization second. In other words, because business is a part of any companies success, having a business education is the ultimate safety net.
Some master’s degree programs relegate students to finite employment possibilities, provided they intend to use their education in the job market. For fields with shortages of qualified personnel or low competition for available jobs, this can present an ideal situation. For fields with high competition for jobs, however, postgraduate educational tracts such as these can represent a loss of both tuition and time.
Though the typical master’s program represents only a two to three year time commitment, the cost of tuition has caused countless students to re-think their ambitions when it comes to postgraduate education. If post graduation earning potential and employment opportunities are of importance to those considering a master’s program, it pays to evaluate the likely outcome of all available options. Though it may mean added prerequisite coursework and a slightly longer time commitment, a degree with the power to elevate earnings and all but guarantee employment is a wise investment in time and money.
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