The contemporary job market is changing at an unprecedented pace, and it’s now common for people to have multiple careers over their lifetimes. Some embrace this change, but for others, it’s thrust upon them. Whatever our circumstances, shifts in our working lives aren’t going away, and they can often feel daunting. Thousands have found that one reliable way to facilitate an occupational turning point is to earn a postgraduate degree in a field related to the new career, so whether you’re looking at a Doctorate of Psychology or a Masters in Journalism, this article examines that strategy and the effect that a degree has on enhancing career change.

Develop Relevant Skills

The main advantage of obtaining a degree beyond the undergraduate level is the opportunity to concentrate more profoundly on a field and get the different knowledge and skills one needs to prosper. Many industries are contracting to become more specialized, requiring advanced expertise that might have been optional when they were broader. For example, when a person moves from a marketing background to a data analyst role, obtaining a master’s in data science teaches them entirely different skills to solve problems at a fundamental level. Getting them much further than the bachelor ever could.

Get Hands-on Experience

Moreover, the programs at the master’s level are surprisingly very much hands-on, usually through case studies, group projects, or internships. These programs allow students to apply the knowledge they have gained in a very direct-to-the-point way that is safe and often somewhat enjoyable compared to the most complicated ones one might encounter during their careers. Many think hands-on experience is reserved for lower academic qualifications, but you’d be surprised how much working experience and knowledge will be gained at a higher level.

Build Your Network

Entering a new field can be monumental, especially when it involves moving to an unfamiliar industry. Undertaking a postgraduate degree program offers a priceless chance to cultivate a professional network. Students find themselves among a group of peers, faculty, and industry professionals who are not only potential contacts but also offer invaluable insights and even mentoring.

A postgraduate program places students within reach of networking events and access to internship opportunities. This can act as a shortcut to the field they wish to enter because of their proximity to making introductions to potential employers and the offers of assistance they receive in navigating the industry.

Give Employers Confidence

When transitioning careers, you might get some questions or scepticism from employers. After all, you’re competing against potential employees who have worked in the field their whole lives. So expect those awkward questions about why you’re moving to a new field, especially if your last position was unrelated. But if you want to combat this, a postgraduate degree would help. It demonstrates a commitment to the topic and displays significant knowledge.

The degree will remove doubt and increase credibility in the field, as Master’s or Doctorate degrees command respect no matter what field you’re looking at. But it can garner even more credibility if it is in a similar field, so if you’re looking to change careers and want to stay within your current competencies, there might be options, so you’re not starting completely fresh. For example, an engineer could go from a bachelor in civil engineering to architecture.

Conclusion

In summary, changing careers is not easy, but it can be a rewarding experience. What can help those traversing this path is a vital tool that has the capacity to open new doors. That tool is a postgraduate degree, and armed with a master’s or doctoral degree, individuals can skillfully navigate their way into a new career path. The degree enhances the individual’s expertise as well as networking and qualifications. So, don’t sleep on a higher-level degree if you’re seeking a new career!