There are several reasons to look for a career change. Some people are not satisfied with their jobs and don’t see the possibility of growing while others want to change their goals and invest in a different area.
Finally, some are just looking for a better salary.
Whatever your reason for changing, going back to school to get a master’s degree is a great way to get the right knowledge and skills.
Moreover, a second degree is always highly valued by future employers. It can expand your opportunities and earnings.
But which course do you choose to secure a position in the market?
Well, in 2021 the employment website Indeed highlighted the best graduate degrees to get a job today. Let’s take a look at the top five choices to pursue a career change:
1. Business Administration
The well-known MBA covers aspects of modern business practices across a variety of industries, ensuring that students receive not only a degree but also advanced knowledge of management and business models.
With these skills, you can get a good job as an analyst, finance manager, or investment manager.
But the sky’s the limit! The degree also allows you to get jobs in the fields of finance, tourism, accounting, among others.
Having an MBA can also guarantee a nice annual income. According to Forbes, employers offered an average base salary of $115,000 for new hires with an MBA in 2021.
For comparison, over the same period, those with just a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $65,000.
Over the years, MBA programs have become more selective and rigorous. One of the requirements is a good average on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), an exam that assesses competencies for admission.
To increase your chances of admission, make sure to prepare well by looking at the best GMAT preparation courses.
2. Project Management
Companies in all areas need to create and manage different projects to increase revenue, boost efficiency, improve productivity, and working conditions.
A master’s degree in project management will teach you techniques for planning and executing all kinds of organizational projects.
Healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology are some fields that can benefit from professionals with these skills.
While it is a career with great salaries, keep in mind that it requires a lot of organization and attention to detail. You’ll need to deal with quick and urgent decisions every day.
3. Finance
If you have always dreamed of being a banker, a financial advisor, or a business consultant, and like to deal with numbers and money, then the master’s in finance is perfect for you.
Graduates tend to land great jobs involving financial skills and business management. Many barely get the diploma and soon open their own start-up.
This is not the best option for those who hated math in school. The program’s curriculum deals with topics such as risk management, investments, and corporate finance, and they all involve familiarity with numbers.
4. Human Resources
In the past, HR was the part of the company that dealt primarily with hiring and firing employees. Because of these, workers both loved and feared HR with equal intensity.
But in the last decades, the department has changed and received new and greater responsibilities. Today, it deals with different issues involving labor relations, such as:
- Recruitment of new talent
- Payroll and employee benefits management
- Training and development
- Productivity improvement programs
The masters in human resources aim to train future HR specialists, giving them knowledge in labor laws and relations to serve as mediators between the interests of the company and the interests of employees.
5. English
Many will probably wonder why they should pursue a master’s degree in the language they already speak and write. Well, majoring in English opens many, many doors, allowing you to experiment on several options and jobs.
As you learn advanced skills in verbal and written communication, you will read more, learn to express yourself better, and have better critical, and creative thinking.
You can even pursue a writing career, but that’s very rare. What matters is that a master’s degree in English can help you in different fields.
Some of the areas that value this degree are copywriting (for journalism and advertising), marketing, and public relations.
You can also become an English teacher, or work from home as digital content management for blogs and social networks – a line of work that grows every year.
Embrace the Change
Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pointed out that it’s impossible to determine how many times a person changes careers over their lifetime, although the practice has become very common for younger generations.
Some candidates change not only their career but also their industry.
There are no more excuses to be stuck in a job you don’t like, watching life go by with no prospects for improvement.
A career change can be advantageous, but it should always be done with strategy and planning, avoiding decisions made on impulse or in the heat of the moment.
A master’s degree will be that differential capable of assuring a solid and comfortable transition.
