Why Pursue a Graduate Degree?

Most of us are happy to graduate college for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, we are celebrating the climax of all our hard work. We have achieved a major goal. Beyond that, we now have the credentials to get us into the careers to which we aspire. And, of course, we cannot deny that we feel the bliss of no longer having to write papers, take tests, and try to pay attention for long lectures. There is a certain freedom in graduation. So, why might you consider going back into education once you have earned your Bachelor’s Degree? There are a lot more reasons that you might think.

The Value of a Graduate Degree

In an article on Northeastern University’s site, Ashley DiFranza writes, “According to a recent study, graduates of advanced degree programs earn up to 28 percent more than those with just a bachelor’s degree”. Clearly, earning a graduate degree literally pays off. The up-front investment of time and financial resources is worth it in the long run considering the higher compensation you will be able to secure for years afterward. You might want to look into jobs in your field and salary scales at your current company to see if you will receive a significant return on this investment. Of course, there is other value in a graduate degree as well. For one thing, you will be able to change careers more easily. It also allows you to pursue passions that you might have discovered long after graduating college. Perhaps now you know what you truly want to do and graduate school is the best avenue to explore that in a concrete way.

The Necessity of a Graduate Degree

You might be thinking that you are already financially secure in your work. Perhaps you do not want to engage in the process of getting a degree for the possibility of making money. Well, it is also important to acknowledge that many more Americans have college degrees nowadays than in the past century. In fact, the Harvard Business Review states that today “in America, one-third of adults are college graduates, a figure that was just 4.6% in the 1940s”. Therefore, the job market is far more competitive than it used to be and that trend is likely to continue. The article also highlights that “according to some estimates, 27% of employers now require master’s degrees for roles in which historically undergraduate degrees sufficed”. If you suddenly found yourself laid off or needing to switch careers, would your resume put you in a position to compete well against other candidates?

Types of Degrees

Graduate school is full of possibilities. The path that you select really depends on what interests you and what you have determined to be your end goals. You can pursue Master’s degrees in arts or sciences. Some of these have special credentials tacked on to them as well to make them most applicable to your desired career. There are also options such as MBA for those in Business who are looking to rise in the ranks. And, of course, you can also pursue doctoral programs in non-medical disciplines. Or you can become a Medical Doctor. Perhaps you see yourself more in the legal sector and would prefer law school. The options abound! The sky is the limit once you narrow in on what you desire to create for your life. And once you have that vision, Insuravita is here to be your partner. Let us connect you with the programs that will help you travel the next part of your educational journey!