It’s a difficult time to be looking for work, but perhaps a good time to step back and re-evaluate. Are you taking the right steps to get where you want to be with your career? 

While there’s no simple answer for everyone, it could be worth considering if going back to school should be your next step.

 

1. Boost your employability

Almost all master’s degrees can help boost your career prospects.  The most common function is to differentiate yourself in a crowded market. Competition for the most sought-after jobs is greater than ever before and more and more of the workforce have an undergraduate degree. Work experience is always valuable, but having a master’s degree can help you stand out even more. 

Master’s graduates earn on average £5,600 per annum more than first degree holders, five years after graduation, and are 7% more likely to be in full-time employment.

 

2. Change your career path

It’s common to feel ‘locked’ on a career path once you’ve started one after graduating. If you think your interests may lie elsewhere but are unsure how to pursue them, it may be time to research studying a master’s in something new.

The subject of your undergraduate degree is likely less limiting than you might think when applying for master’s courses. Furthermore, full conversion courses are widely offered in subjects such as Law, Psychology and Education.

 

3. Become an expert in your field

The process of studying for a master’s degree is quite different from an undergraduate course. You’ll typically find a much greater focus on independent study and research, usually ending with a sizable dissertation making a real contribution to your field.

Naturally, this puts you in a good position to progress in your career: master’s graduates are 18% more likely to be in a high-skilled job compared to undergraduates.

 

4. Develop transferable skills

Aside from the expertise, you’ll wield after graduation, the completion of a master’s degree is a great accomplishment in itself. A majority of career paths open so you won’t require in-depth knowledge of your subject of study, but the skills you’ve developed are highly desirable. 

The majority of master’s courses will require careful research, effective communication and independent working – and give you the opportunity to showcase them on your CV.

 

5. Prepare for the future

With high levels of competition in the job market and more of the workforce becoming more educated, it will only become more key for job seekers to be able to stand out from the crowd.

 The UK Commission for Employment and Skills predicts that roughly 15% of jobs are likely to need a postgraduate degree by 2022. Demand for highly-skilled, expert labour continues to rise across a range of industries, and the right master’s for you could offer the skills and knowledge to get where you want to be.

If you’re considering a master’s and would like to learn more, you can join the QS Virtual Masters Fair taking place this Sunday. This is a free event where you can meet over 30 universities, including LBS, Warwick and NYU. Attendees will have access to expert career advisors, successful alumni and over £4.2 million in scholarships.