A master’s degree is a graduate degree that shows you have advanced understanding in a particular field of study or career. These are the initial level of graduate degrees, with only doctorate degrees like the PhD following.
Master’s degree graduate programs are available at public and private colleges and universities all around the world. The majority of people complete their master’s degrees in one to three years of full-time study. Many master’s programs in the United States last two years.
First and foremost, are you enthusiastic about the field of study you wish to pursue at the master’s level? If your answer isn’t a resounding “yes,” you should think twice about getting a master’s degree—at least in that field.
But what is the significance of passion? The truth is that finishing graduate school might be challenging if you aren’t passionate about the subject or are simply in school because you don’t know what you want to do with your life.
To increase your earning potential
It’s no secret that those with graduate degrees earn significantly more money than those without. While the average gain in earnings is 25%, attending the best MBA programs can enhance your compensation by 60-150 percent (whereas a masters in Human Services or Museum Sciences will increase your earnings by a mere 10-15 percent ).
It can lead to new employment opportunities
Whether or not you need a master’s degree to acquire the job you want, getting one will undoubtedly increase your marketability and help you to stand out in a favorable way. This benefit is especially useful for students seeking a master’s degree in order to change careers.
To pursue your dreams
People frequently end up in the incorrect job as a result of inadequate career counseling or a lack of self-awareness at a young age — that is, failing to recognize their interests and potential when they first started their employment. Low levels of engagement, performance, and productivity, as well as high degrees of burnout, stress, and alienation, result from this. Pursuing your passion is thus a good factor for determining whether or not to attend graduate school. After all, when people’s studies fit with their ideals, they do better and learn more.
If you can cultivate your curiosity and interests via rigorous learning, your knowledge will stand out above other candidates, increasing your chances of landing a job you enjoy. It’s worth noting that, in order to match humans’ potential for independent and self-directed learning, robots and AI are being developed to imitate this free-floating feature of human curiosity.
To summarize, there is no clear answer to the question, “Should I get a master’s degree?” Your response will be determined by your future goals. To put it another way, what kind of job do you want? And how would a master’s degree assist you in achieving your goals?
Before you begin applying for master’s degree programs, consider the following four questions:
- Am I enthusiastic about the subject I wish to research?
- Will a master’s degree help me advance in my career?
- Will I be required to pay for my degree?
- Is it okay if I don’t work?
