Stand out from the crowd.
The flooded employment sector, with too many job-seekers and too few jobs, is crawling with undergraduate degree-holders. A B.A. or B.S. degree is no longer enough to convince employers that you have what it takes to get that job offer. Internships and leadership roles on your resume might help, but further specialization in your chosen field is an even better way to get recognized. Bachelor degrees are nearly as common as a high school diploma in the eyes of employers. Master or doctorate degrees demonstrate expertise and commitment in a given field, and help differentiate you from the pool of bachelor degree-holders.
Job seekers are familiar with the endless cycle: “No one will hire me until I have work experience, but I can’t get work experience until someone hires me.” Often, job profiles contain a certain line of text that says: “Must have X years in the field or equivalent educational experience.” That phrase is key for understanding the benefits of postgraduate education. Jobs may be scarce, but postgraduate courses are plentiful, and they can provide the specialization and skills-building needed to make up for a lack of hands-on experience in the field.
Meet a network of professionals.
A postgraduate course is the perfect place to meet future and current leaders in your field. Your professors should be people who have intimate knowledge of the industry, and who can help you expand your contacts and learn how to use your network to your advantage after graduation. The right connection can sometimes be the difference between unemployment and a high-paying job. Meanwhile, you and your classmates are set to become important players yourselves. The network you create during your course will be invaluable as you accelerate through your career.
Some careers are simply unnavigable or closed to you without a postgraduate degree. If you have career aspirations in medicine, law, finance, or dozens of others, there is only one surefire way to the top and that’s with a postgraduate education.
Revitalize your career.
If you’re over 50 and mid-to-late career, you may be starting to feel overwhelmed by how rapidly your industry has changed since you left school. Luckily for you, years of career experience will improve your chances when applying to a postgraduate course. A further degree can boost your performance and combine experience with knowledge of the latest trends and technology in your field, making you a more viable candidate for promotion.