1. Gain in-depth knowledge and answer unanswered questions.
A graduate education is unlike any other journey. It is the pursuit of an intellectual passion while acquiring in-depth professional expertise and greater career opportunities. The benefits of a graduate degree also improve your research, writing and analyzing skills. This all contributes to you becoming a more skillful problem solver and to tackling complex projects. By earning a graduate degree, you will continue to expand upon your expertise and knowledge, preparing you for lifelong learning.
2. Set yourself apart from the rest of the workforce.
In today’s increasingly competitive job market, the benefits of a master’s degree or Ph.D. in science can differentiate you in the market. You will learn to use critical thinking and innovation to solve problems. These skills are much sought after and really make a Ph.D. graduate, and even a master’s graduate, stand out from other potential employees.
3. Advance more quickly in your career.
Earning a master’s degree helps you gain specialized knowledge to advance in your field. A graduate degree shows you are committed to enhancing your expertise and credibility. Focus on a special field of study within science helps you become more competitive in the job market.
A graduate degree can make it easier to transition into more senior positions, such as management and leadership. Many organizations are seeking more educated employees. When asked why they are hiring more employees with college degrees for positions previously held by those with high school degrees, 61% of employers said the skills required for their positions have evolved, requiring a higher base level of education. In recent years, with many companies looking to hire people with graduate degrees.
4. Enhance your earning potential.
By earning a graduate degree, you can significantly increase your income. On average, employees with a bachelor’s degree earn $50,360 per year, while those with a master’s degree earn a median annual income of $68,064, a 35% increase. More than 16 million Americans—approximately 8% of the population—have a master’s degree, representing a 43% increase since 2002. While earning a bachelor’s degree used to be enough to establish your career, today this is not the case.
In science, there is an even larger gap between employees with a graduate degree and those with less education. According to Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce, biology and life sciences majors with advanced degrees earn 63% more than those with bachelor’s degrees, while graduate degree holders who majored in health and medical preparatory programs earn 137% more than those with bachelor’s degrees.