After you’ve spent four or more years working hard to get your bachelor’s degree, the thought of returning to school might seem a bit daunting. However, just a couple of years in graduate school could improve your life and career path for years to come. And, with the economy looking bleak because of the pandemic, now might be just the time to continue to invest in yourself.

Below are just some of the reasons why career coaches encourage graduates to go back to school for a master’s degree. 

3 Ways Graduate School Could Help Your Career

1. Salary Increase

The more time you spend studying a certain subject in school, the more employers will be willing to compensate you for your expertise. The higher level of knowledge will also make you eligible for more elite positions, which naturally pay more. A Georgetown University study found that, when compared to employees with bachelor’s degrees, those with advanced degrees have the potential to make 30% more money in the course of their lifetime.

2. The Power to Change Directions

If you’re not happy with your current position, or the positions that your bachelor’s degree afford you, you may benefit from a change in direction. For example, you may still be passionate about medical science, but you want to steer away from pharmaceutical studies and towards medical practices in developing countries. By enrolling in graduate school, you can enhance your knowledge in that unfamiliar territory, resulting in a more well-rounded view of the industry, and more skills to promote on your resume.

3. Enhanced Industry Reputation

Unlike your undergraduate years, which revolved around strict credit requirements and course paths, graduate school allows for more freedom to experiment and research topics that you’re interested in. As a result, career coaches believe you’ll have a chance to make new discoveries, find new evidence for theories, work on advanced projects, and even pursue awards and prizes. These endeavors could provide you with national or even global recognition in your field, which can make the job hunt much more interesting.

If you’re hoping to plan out the next best career move for you, turn to Executive Coach Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. of New York, NY. As a professional certified coach of the International Coach Federation and with years of experience both as a lawyer and coach, you can trust this career coach to guide you through this challenging time. To learn more about her, visit the website or email her at me@margaretenloe.com to schedule an appointment.