Sahonara
What graduate degrees provide the best job security after graduation?
#career #first-job
3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Hi Sahonara,
Given this and your other question, it sounds like you may already have a Bachelor's degree and are looking to continue your studies? Or is it that you are looking ahead, and still don't have a Bachelor's degree?
Either way, I strongly encourage young people to get some real world experience before pursuing a Master's degree. There are several reasons for this.
- A graduate with a Master's degree, and little or no work experience, will find it difficult to compete against applicants who have both the education and experience. They will then start applying for lower positions, only to be told that they are "overqualified."
- Too many people realize, upon entering the job market with their Master's degree, that the field is not for them - it is very different from what they had been led to believe in school, or had idealized it as being.
- If you have work experience in the field prior to getting the Master's, it will all make a lot more sense to you, and you will benefit from the education much more than if you don't have a frame of reference to relate it to.
- Some employers offer tuition assistance!
I could offer a lot of examples, but I will give you only one. I had a customer who came to me in October wanting to do a career change. He had gone straight through for a Master's in Mathematics Education. Once he started teaching (two months ago!) he realized it was definitely not for him. He wanted out. Now! It turned out he was also married and his wife was pregnant with their first child. He definitely had some family responsibilities he needed to be considering as well. Why did he not like teaching math? Because, in his words, the students were not interested in learning!
I do not understand why, at this point, you are considering a graduate degree. Could you tell us a little more about your current education, experience, and interests? It is difficult for us to give you guidance with so many diverse possibilities! Teaching? Business? Criminal Justice? It's wide open!
As far as "job security," there really is no such thing anymore. Most people can expect to change employers 3-5 times in their professional careers. You will want to keep current by attending training and conferences, and keeping up with technology. Once you have been out of school just a few years, the degree becomes less important, as compared to the actual skills and experience you have to offer. (with a few exceptions, such as Engineering).
Hope this helps!
Kim
Anny Woo
Anny’s Answer
The easy answer would be to say graduate degrees in Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Business Administration, law or medicine.
However, these degrees may not match up with your interest or aptitude.
What do you have a natural talent for? What is your superpower? Have you interned or worked in your field of study? If not, my advice would be to spend some time in your field of study. I've met many people who are approaching graduation who question their career choice after their internship. Better to make an informed choice than to invest more years and money in a career that eventually will not appeal to you.
Once you've a few years experience in your career, you will have a much better idea of how you would like to see your career unfold. Your leader or a mentor may suggest additional training or s/he may suggest specific work experiences/sponsor you for the next stage in your career.
I also wanted to address "best job security" in your question. For example, technology is up-ending a lot of fields and jobs that required advanced degrees are now ably performed by, for example, artificial intelligence. Therefore, I would recommend upgrading your skills throughout your career, being the go-to problem-solver, and being flexible with your career.
Good luck to you, Sahonara!
Natasha Bastien
Natasha’s Answer
Broadly speaking, it looks like a lot of people who studied engineering then got a business degree do well financially in the job market. Some schools offer an M.S./M.B.A. double major. If you cultivate both the technical and business skills needed to thrive in the work world, you will have set yourself up for better base salaries, an employer where you can learn and grow professionally, with opportunities for raises and performance-based bonuses. Software development is still a growing area of labor demand.
To summarize, if you are interested in the sciences, at the graduate level, also add some business coursework into your crafted curriculum. If you love the humanities or the arts, getting a business is not necessary but it will provide with a network of peers and add certain training that guides you in entrepreneurship.
Lastly, you might not need to get a graduate degree if you get good opportunities for training on the job, career-relevant internships or continuous learning certificates that are pertinent to your industry or functional areas of responsibilities.
Good Luck and Stay Well,
Natasha