Will pursing a Masters, Professional, or Doctorates degree guarantee job security? Does it matter what you get the graduate degree in?

Hello Anina,

It is good to hear that you are looking ahead. A career journey can be quite tricky and for some careers there is not a straight path that leads to success. I'm a lover of learning but learning does cost money. If there is a way that you can go to graduate school for free or at a reduced cost, then it will be a matter of finding the program that is right for you without worrying about the costs. There are scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and some companies will pay for your graduate degree if they think it is useful for their business and employees. If it is not free, be sure to do your research and make sure the graduate degree is necessary for your career and that it will substantially increase your pay so that you can support yourself and pay for school.

A graduate degree does not always mean that you will get a higher position or better paying job or job stability. Sometimes a graduate degree isn't required for a particular job. There may be a certification or license that you need instead. You can also get a Bachelor's degree in one area and get a graduate degree in a totally different area like I did. I have a BBA in Finance and a M. Ed in Higher Education. I wanted to be sure that I made the right decision before investing in another degree, so I waited 10 years to get a Masters! If you hear or see a person that is in a position or career that you aspire to have one day, don't be afraid to ask that person what they had to accomplish to get there. People love talking about themselves!

Anina, it looks like you've gotten some great answers so far! It's important to remember that different fields handle higher degrees differently. In some fields, higher degrees will help you advance. However, there are several fields that would prefer you to have industry-specific certifications over higher degrees. To reiterate what Dr. K. said, don't ignore that ROI. Be sure that you know what you'll be getting out of the degree before you start it. Another thing to be cautious of is making sure you have the experience to back up your degree. In some fields, an advanced degree will mean a higher salary. However, if you have that advanced degree but not a lot of time in the workforce, you might be less likely to be hired since you'll be more expensive than someone else with the same amount of experience. As the previous two answers said, an advanced degree won't necessarily guarantee job security, but it could open more doors for you.

I hope this helps. Best wishes on your journey!

Hi Anina,

This is a great question. I personally don't feel any degree provides job security BUT a degree does provide job opportunities. Let me clarify that statement a little. A report by The Pew Charitable Trusts found that during the most recent recession the employment rate for four-year college graduates only decreased 7% compared to high school graduates that decreased 16%. This reflects that individuals with a bachelor's degree were more likely to remain employed or find employment compared to individuals without a bachelor's degree. So while job security is not a guarantee, the ability to rebound in a recession or find a job may be heightened by having a degree.

The second part of your question is a different response. I am a firm believer in following your passion. If your passion does not require an advanced degree, then don't pursue it. If you want an advanced degree then choose one you can relate to. Don't get an advanced degree just to have a degree. Also, weigh the return on investment (ROI) of an advanced degree. In some professions the advanced degree may not provide you more income over time than the degree cost you.

I hope this answer helps you in your education journey. Best of luck!!

Dr. K.

Hi Arina,

That is a solid question, it most definitely helps depending on what career field you are pursuing. Being that many careers require that and some strongly encourage that. So it truly makes a difference on what path you are interested in but overall it usually helps quite a bit and the benefit from it alone is pretty high. But I do understand your question in terms of practicality.

My best! :)

Troy