Been Working for a While? Now May Be the Best Time to Get a Graduate Degree - Geneva College
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Been Working for a While? Now May Be the Best Time to Get a Graduate Degree

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Graduate Studies

A graduate degree may or may not be necessary upon entrance into a specific career but it is inevitably helpful – it’s just a matter of when. For those in fields such as law and medicine, an advanced degree is a prerequisite. Other careers allow individuals to gain both valuable work experience and save up for a master’s degree. If you are considering putting off a master’s degree until further on in your career, you are not alone and can leverage your foresight. If you’ve been waiting, it’s not too late. The time could be right for you now.

1. Gain Real-World Work Experience

For employers, work experience complements your  education. While employers seek out new graduates and your degree is proof of your knowledge base, they also want evidence of competence within a career and your previous or current work experience is just the ticket. The work place provides the opportunity to learn new skill sets, incorporate the latest technologies, overcome challenges, and learn to work with difficult personalities. When you have both, you could be offering the best of all worlds.

Thinking about a graduate degree

2. Create a Stronger Application

It was possible that you had  difficulty balancing school and life when you were young. With additional time, you might be better prepared for standardized tests and have additional certification or courses in your chosen path. In addition, you might have become interested in pursuing a degree that is in a different field from your undergraduate degree. Employment and additional preparation can show dedication to your new choice.

3. Qualify for Promotions

Employers seek a certain level of minimal years of experience with many positions. If you graduated with your bachelor’s degree and entered the workforce, chances are you worked for a while to make as much headway as possible without an advanced degree.  It may be a strategically smart choice to pursue a graduate degree when you are considering moving up in a career or need to refresh your skills. At that time, you already have enough experience to choose a program that can meet your specific career needs. You have a better idea of the possibilities available to you with the addition of a higher education.

4. Reduce Debt

The fact that you’ve had a break in your education may allow you to pay off an existing undergraduate loan before you start taking  graduate level courses. Financial assistance is available at the graduate level, and saving up or paying your way through a graduate program can help you minimize your debt and maintain career momentum. Once you graduate with an advanced degree, you have the experience to put your educationbest to immediate work for you with potential career advancement or a new position.

5. Draw on Your Experience

Graduate professors expect students to share their experiences and learn from others in the field. Having spent time working will make it easier to meet the demands of professors, be a strong contributor in the classroom, and use your experience as part of your graded performance.

Opportunities with Geneva College

Geneva College has several options available for those considering their graduate degree. For adults and returning students, Geneva College offers programs including a Master of Business Administration, M.A. in Counseling, M.A. in Higher Education, M.S. in Leadership Studies, and M.S. in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). Request information today to take the next steps in your career.

                                               

Source:

(2015, 10, 07). Waiting To Get Masters Degree                         

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/10/07/waiting-to-get-masters-degree/

 

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

Nov 17, 2015

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