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AGCAREERS.COM
AG & FOOD CAREER GUIDE
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
MASTER’S
PROGRAM
W
hether you just graduated with
your undergraduate degree, or
you have been in the workforce a couple
of years, you may be pondering going
back to pursue a master’s degree. A
few questions typically come to mind
when thinking about pursuing your
master’s degree: “Do I really need
it? Can I afford it? Do I want to wait to
start making money?” There are many
factors to consider when weighing
this decision but before you make the
decision, there are a couple of things
that you need to nail down. What are
your career goals? What type of career
are you looking to have? This may be
hard to navigate straight out of college
with little experience, but it is something
to keep in mind when thinking about the
bigger picture. Here are some factors to
consider when thinking about this bigger
picture.
Why You SHOULD
Pursue a Master’s
Program
Certain Jobs Require It
Depending upon which type of job you
are pursuing, some companies and roles
may require a master’s degree.
Pay increase
In some organizations and roles like
extension or education, a master’s
degree can warrant a pay increase.
Gain knowledge beneficial
for future consulting roles
Specialized knowledge in a certain
subject matter can help give you
experience and credibility if you are
looking at transitioning into a consulting
role at some point in your career.
Focused education and
research opportunity
A master’s program can allow you to
become an expert within a specific
subject or niche focus and conduct
research to better understand subject
matter.
Credibility to clients and
peers
In some situations, it can help you gain
credibility whether networking with
your peers or trying to find a job after
graduation or further into your career.
Passionate about the subject
When you are passionate about
something, why not learn more about it?
Why You SHOULD NOT
Pursue a Master’s
Program
Time commitment
Typically, a master’s program lasts
about 2 years. It can be spread out even
longer if you are pursuing your master’s
degree while working full time.
Money commitment
There are many opportunities for
fellowships, scholarships or even
employment through the university to
fund your degree, but that may not be
an option for some.
Education requirements
Depending on what mater’s program
you are pursuing, you may be required
to take the GRE or have taken certain
undergraduate classes.
Not fully interested in
subject matter
If you aren’t fully interested or invested
in what you are studying, you probably
won’t get very much out of it. That is
why figuring out your goals and how a
specific program can help you achieve
them is key!
If you find yourself looking at the list
and identifying with the “should not” list
more than the “should”, there is another
alternative if you are wanting to continue
your education and build on a specific
skill set. Professional development is
a great alternative for those who went
straight to the workforce after college. It
can come in the form of hiring a career
coach, attending a free webinar, earning
a certification, attending a conference
and many more. You can find just about
anything you are looking for to sharpen
a specific skill set.
> > >
by Kacey Toews, Talent Solutions Customer Success Specialist
PHOTOS: Aramyan/iStock/Getty Images Plus,
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash