Is Grad School The Right Next Step For You?

• Are you inching closer toward your bachelor’s degree and are unable to decide the right next step?
• Are you at a position in your career where you feel your skills and knowledge are stagnating?
• Are you at the crossroads of taking a break from your job to finally study a course that you had been eyeing for a while?

Well, don’t brood over this for too long – no matter the circumstance, there’s never a wrong time to go to grad school and fulfil your educational interests.

A report published by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics states that occupations requiring a Masters degree are slated to grow by 18.4 % in 2022. Moreover, according to a survey conducted by job search platform Career Builder, 27% of employers are rooting for candidates with Master’s degrees for roles that earlier required undergraduate degrees. So, gone are the days when “experience” won over “qualifications” and stories of college drop-outs making it big ruled the media. Higher education is definitely the way forward if you want to stand out from your peers and be noticed for your educational credentials.

What Next After Bachelor’s?

Undergraduate students are often left fumbling for answers when asked “what next after bachelor’s”. If you fall under this category with routine “still figuring out” responses, put on your thinking hats. Although it is not easy to take such decisions, you should remember that pursuing Masters will not only enable you to build upon your undergraduate studies but also enable you to specialize in an area of your interest. It will also give you the opportunity to continue your educational journey without a gap in between.

For instance, if you are pursuing Bachelors in Commerce and have developed a liking for Finance, Masters in Finance or a more interdisciplinary program such as Masters of Financial Economics will be ideal for you. If you are someone who has had enough of Computer Science in college and now wants to view technology in the backdrop of business, opt for a Masters in Information Systems Management or a core Masters in Business Analytics program unless you want to explore the depths of data with a Masters in Data Science. However, if you don’t wish to sever ties with Computer Science and yet want to learn more about the relevance and usage of data in today’s world, go for a Masters in Computer Science with a specialization in Data Analytics. If you don’t fall into either of the aforementioned categories and want to switch to a different field of study such as from a BA in English to a Masters in Luxury Brand Management, that is possible too. Just develop your resume with relevant experience and you are all set! Start thinking now or visit an admissions counsellor before you miss your deadlines.

What About Working Professionals? 

Not students alone, grad schools are a perfect fit for working professionals. If you feel your skills and knowledge have plateaued and you are unable to add more value to your work, then take a break or a sabbatical and go for a Masters or an MBA. Even if the employment figures mentioned above don’t impress you, go for it simply because you need to bridge the gaps in your knowhow, add elements of international education to your professional experience and gain exposure to specialized skills. This apart, the opportunity to study alongside peers from eclectic backgrounds, train under renowned academics, get career guidance from industry experts and network with top companies will be unparalleled, adding multidimensional layers to your profile and personality. It is needless to say that pursuing a graduate degree related to your work experience is imperative, especially if you are looking to grow in a related industry or combine your experience with the right kind of education. For instance, if you are a Marketing professional with around four years of work experience, an MBA with a specialization in Marketing will be perfect. If you are somebody with fewer than two years of experience, a Masters in Marketing Management or a Masters in International Business will be more advisable. There is no dearth of programs – you simply have to explore your options, do a SWOT analysis and pick the right fit.

Well, you may neither be a student nor someone who is looking for a skill-upgrade. You may simply want to explore the enriching opportunities that are facilitated by international education. You may want to pursue a Masters because you always wanted to but your fledgling career never presented you with the right time and opportunity to study further. A graduate degree will give you the option to step back into the shoes of a student and bring to the classroom your experience and expertise, thus enhancing cohort diversity. While an MBA will do justice to your years of experience, you can opt for a Masters in any field of your liking or choice, given you are focused more on the experience of studying and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, networking and career events will allow you to widen your professional network and who knows you may end up getting a job that you were always passionate about! 

So assess your situation and interests, visit an admissions counsellor if you are confused and take the plunge.