There is no doubt that you need a high school diploma to function effectively in the job market, and a bachelor\u2019s degree offers a significant jump in potential earnings to working professionals. Yet, many workers choose to stop their pursuit of academic credentials there, despite the opportunity that advanced degrees can provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies show that graduate-level education can improve a professional\u2019s job prospects in several ways. A master\u2019s degree often qualifies a worker for higher-level roles and enhances their job security once employed, reducing their likelihood of being laid off during difficult economic times. What\u2019s more, master\u2019s degree holders tend to enjoy higher lifetime earnings than those who have less education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, not every professional worker absolutely needs a master\u2019s degree to achieve career success. Here are the professionals who are most in need of an advanced credential and who should look into online master\u2019s programs<\/a> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are certain careers where graduate degrees are not just beneficial but absolutely mandatory. Many careers in healthcare, for example, have a master\u2019s degree as a minimum requirement as determined not just by employers but by state regulations. Law enforcement is another field in which master\u2019s degrees tend to be must-haves, and some higher-level education jobs also demand a master-level credential. It might be worth investigating whether your intended career requires a master\u2019s qualification before you take any steps to become a professional in that field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Master\u2019s degrees tend to impart advanced knowledge and skill in a specialized area \u2014 but in some cases, you can gain that specialized knowledge and skill organically through years of work experience. However, if you are at the very beginning of your career, you might not want to wait several years to gain the knowledge and skills you need to advance up your career ladder. In that case, you might spend a few months pursuing a master\u2019s degree, which should qualify you for a higher position within your career field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has found that the average person will switch careers between three and seven times<\/a> during their working lives, but pivoting into a new career field can be risky. Usually, new careers require new knowledge and skills, and you may be forced to start at a much lower rung of the ladder from the career you left. To prevent any regressions in your career progress, you may choose to pursue a master\u2019s degree in your new career field, so you can achieve the success you imagine on your new career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can take more than 20 years of real-world work experience to reach the higher levels of management and unlock the authority and earning potential of your dreams. If you simply can\u2019t wait, you might instead spend just a couple years on a master\u2019s degree that will allow you to create for yourself the position you aspire to. Master-level degrees in business administration or entrepreneurship will help you achieve success in building your own business, so you can become an executive of a successful company in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond greed, there are many reasons you might be interested in increasing your earning potential \u2014 perhaps you live in a region with a high cost of living; perhaps you have a large family to support; or perhaps you have a large amount of debt you are trying to overcome. In any case, a master\u2019s degree can increase your lifetime earnings<\/a> by more than a half a million dollars, which means you will undoubtedly earn a higher salary and take more money home after you graduate and start using your advanced knowledge and skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then again, you might not need a career-driven reason to pursue higher education. If you have a passion for a particular subject, you might feel a profound sense of fulfillment by completing formal education and establishing yourself as a master of that field. Of course, a benefit of following your passion is the opportunity to find work that you love, so this might be the best possible reason you could have for seeking a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people can benefit from a master\u2019s degree, but if you recognize yourself in any of the examples above, you might have some extra incentive to pursue higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProfessionals in Certain Career Fields<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Professionals at the Start of Their Careers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Professionals Looking to Pivot Careers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Professionals With Burning Ambition<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Professionals in Need of Higher Earnings<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Professionals Who Feel Passionately About Certain Subjects<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n