Most people grow up and pass through the school system to end up in college. For a lot of kids, this is where their educational journey ends. Your child may have gone through three years of college, then graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. They’re now uniquely qualified to go out into the big wide world!
However, it doesn’t stop there for everyone. What if your child decides they want to continue their education with a Master’s degree? This is excellent as it provides further qualifications that can help them find a great job. The trick is ensuring they choose the perfect Master’s degree to get all the desired benefits. If your kid is in the middle of making this decision, then here are a few things to help.
Consider the Relevancy
Mostly, you can apply for a broad range of Master’s degrees with any Bachelor’s degree. This is good as it opens up their options. But, it’s also bad as it means they could apply for degrees that are totally irrelevant to their previous studies. While it may sound tempting, encourage them to pursue a Master’s in a subject that is somewhat relevant to their existing degree. This will help them hone their existing knowledge and become even more qualified within a specific field.
Consider the Job Outlook
Jobs are the main reason we go through the education system in the first place. So, when your child chooses a Master’s, make sure they look at the job prospects. Some degrees offer way more options than others. The MSW job options are far more diverse than, say, the MiF ones. Why? Because something like social work offers a much broader spectrum of career opportunities than a field like finance. There are only a few things you could do with a Master’s in finance, and they mainly relate to businesses. With this example in mind, encourage your child to look for a degree that opens them up to plenty of rewarding careers when they graduate.
Consider the Costs
Of course, you have to think about the costs. Your child has already paid for college tuition, so this degree will be plonked on top of that. Now, imagine they find a Master’s topic to pursue, and it ticks the previous two boxes. The only problem is that it’s at a college far away and they’ll have to move there. This can add some considerable expenses that you and your child may be unable to afford. As such, the perfect Master’s will be more affordable. Thankfully, many institutions offer online programs that students can pay for. This lets them study remotely, reducing the overall costs quite substantially. Now, your child can continue their education without falling further into student debt.
Is a Master’s degree for everyone? No, your child may be happy with a regular Bachelor’s degree. Remember, it’s their life, so don’t force them to pursue further education if they don’t want to. But, if they are keen to get a Master’s, then point them towards these three points of consideration.
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