Securing your economic future, personal growth, and career advancement requires strategic goal-planning. Pursuing a graduate degree can be one of the most significant decisions you can make as you consider return on investment of your energy, time, and money.
So, why should you apply to graduate school in 2022? As you think about the cost-benefits of choosing a graduate school to attend now, consider these 9 top reasons.
1. Global competition for coveted jobs:
In our current global economy, there is added competition to be hired for the most coveted jobs, and in the U.S., we have the most educated workforce in our history.
How do you begin to compete for jobs that will give you stability for your working future? Earning an advanced degree now will position you for a competitive edge in your future job search.
2. Tuition inflation:
It’s important to consider that the price of education rises every academic year. JP Morgan Funds reports that higher education costs are rising faster than any other household expense in recent decades! The longer you wait, the higher tuition will be for your desired graduate program; in turn, financing graduate school will be more of a concern to many students.
Enrolling now will help you benefit from lower education costs, less debt, and higher pay sooner once you earn that graduate degree. In other words, going to grad school now is one way to get the best grad school education for your buck. It may be a cost-efficient decision to go to graduate school as soon as possible, because you’ll see greater rewards both professionally and financially!
3. Higher earning potential:
Securing an advanced degree sooner than later will open up more opportunities as you seek a financially rewarding career path. Your salary may increase by minimal increments initially, but over a lifetime you will see significant financial benefits.
Over the course of a lifetime, a person with a master's degree typically earns $400,000 more than someone who only holds a bachelor's degree, and Ph.D. holders are in a position to command even higher earnings.
4. Companies support the pursuit of advanced degrees:
Because we live and work in a global economy, having a graduate degree demonstrates to the international community that you are a committed professional in your field. Your degree is legitimate proof that you have developed critical thinking skills, which you can apply to a variety of institutional strategies and projects.
By the way, a report from the Society for Human Resource Management claims that 54 percent of employers offer tuition assistance.
5. Increased thought leadership:
The skills learned in graduate school are a long-term investment, and an advanced education is becoming paramount in startup entrepreneurship. According to thought industry leader Javier Marcos:
“We create huge customer value when we engage in dialogue that does not take the formulation of management development challenges at ‘face value.’”
In other words, startup entrepreneurs need to develop themselves first; then, when faced with challenges, they are better able to respond. As such, it's no surprise that hotbeds of innovative businesses like Silicon Valley are in constant need of leaders with graduate degrees.
6. Leadership initiative:
Once you earned your college degree, you enter the workforce and begin to see your professional journey unfold. However, if you want to dedicate yourself to a profession, earn more money, and show your leaders that you are serious about the mission and purpose of your company, an advanced degree will propel you forward in the company.
Developing your personal growth and leadership skills are some of the many reasons to pursue an advanced degree in 2022.
7. Options to finance your degree:
Financing graduate school can be stressful, but there are many ways to finance your advanced higher education degree! For example, you can search for available loans, grants, and scholarships. But be prepared with your documents and applications, and submit them before deadlines run out.
There are many types of scholarships for graduate students, including those with less than perfect grades. Scholarships are available for all levels of college study, from freshman undergrads to graduate and Ph.D. students.
8. Contribute to the larger body of knowledge:
During your undergraduate work, you learned about a particular field of study. Once you earn an advanced degree in your field, you can contribute your insights and work to the larger body of knowledge. This is especially true in specialized subject areas like technology, science, and engineering. Adding your knowledge and collaborative abilities to your institution creates more value for you as a prospective employee.
9. Networking:
Achieving a graduate degree not only makes you more noticeable to potential employers, adds value to your credentials, and creates a desire for lifelong learning, it also opens up doors for professional networking. Once you earn your graduate degree, you will connect with other top leaders in their fields who could open up an opportunity during your professional journey that may never have opened up without extended exposure to accomplished and renowned professionals.
Join a Community of Experts at WVU:
As you consider joining a community of driven, ambitious experts at West Virginia University, we encourage you to explore WVU's Resource Library. You can also request more information or go ahead and start your online application today!
Thinking about applying to graduate school? WVU’s Application Guide is your go-to resource for navigating the graduate school admissions process!
