Navigation

Tag Archives | graduate

By on July 6, 2016 in Programs
Image by NEC Corporation of America, Flickr

Image by NEC Corporation of America, Flickr

More millennials have finished college than any generation before them, and they are seeing economic payoffs as a result. While most millennials finish their educations with four-year degrees, they are increasingly choosing to attend graduate school. By pursuing a master’s degree in one of the following fields, millennials have the potential to increase their earnings even more and obtain a greater sense of job security in the future.

Mathematics

Advanced degrees in mathematics allow millennials to pursue careers in nearly any industry to find solutions to real-world problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for people with advanced degrees in this field will rise over 20% before 2022.

Occupational Therapy

Millennials with a passion for helping others can help the aging population lead more active lives while finding good job prospects in this field. In 2013, occupational therapists earned a mean annual wage of nearly $78,000, and the aging population of the United States means millennials with an advanced degree in occupational therapy will not struggle to find work.

Industrial Organizational Psychology

Corporations and businesses are increasingly turning to professionals with this advanced degree to solve issues in their workplaces. Employment in this field is projected to increase over 50% by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Political Science

Millennials may use this advanced degree to study and analyze political ideas, trends and ideologies, and the demand for professionals with political science degrees is expected to grow by over 20% by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Electrical Engineering

Pursuing master’s of science in electrical engineering gives millennials the skills they need to thrive in a world of rapidly changing technologies. Millennials with this degree may pursue work in industrial, academic, entrepreneurial or governmental sectors and do anything from designing antenna networks to creating optical communications or advanced computer networks.

Public Health

Like Master’s degrees in occupational therapy, those in public health are in high demand due to the country’s aging population. Millennials with this degree can expect to earn a median salary of $84,000 per year following graduation.

Finance

The fast-paced world of finance is an ideal environment for millennials looking for an adrenaline rush. With a median yearly salary of $119,000 for graduates, this field is one of the most lucrative for millennials.

The key to making a master’s degree pay off for millennials is to choose a field that opens the doors to high-paying, secure careers. If millennials choose one of the aforementioned degrees, the investment will pay off long into the future.

This article was contributed by guest author Lizzie Weakley.

By on September 16, 2015 in Programs
Image by John Walker, Flickr

Image by John Walker, Flickr

Acquiring a graduate degree is one of the best ways to stand out from the competition while job hunting or transitioning into upper management. For those that are unsure of which degrees will have the highest return on investment, here is a closer look at six of the best options that should prove lucrative in the coming years.

Finance

Both graduate and undergraduate degrees focusing on finances have proven to be some of the best investments that students can make when it comes to their education. These degrees are incredibly flexible and will allow graduates to move into practically any field imaginable, including the private sector and public sector.

Biostatistics

Biostatistics is a relatively new field that blends statistical analysis with biological systems. A major branch of this field is medical biostatistics in which professionals collect, track, and analyze data streaming from hospitals, clinical studies, and government research.

Information Science and Systems

One of the fastest growing fields within the technology sector is big data. As companies continue to produce vast amounts of data, they require specialists that can safely store and secure this information on-site and in the cloud. These careers often start with a six figure salary and have some of the highest satisfaction ratings.

Behavior Analysis

For those that want to work directly with children and adults with behavioral disorders, a Behavior Analyst Certification remains the best option for expanding their career. A graduate degree is one of the last steps before receiving state certification to becoming a professional counselor.

M.B.A.

Students that are unsure of which field they would like to enter into or want to improve their chances of being promoted at their current job should consider a Master of Business Administration. Over the past decade, this has been the single most popular graduate program with upwards of 250,000 new graduates every single year.

Computer Engineering

There is no doubt that computer engineers will continue to be some of the most sought after specialists in the next few decades. Engineers currently have the option of carrying out hands-on research within a lab setting or working directly for private companies and public organizations to develop custom hardware and software.

The salary may never be an employee’s sole reason for picking a career path, but these six options are an excellent blend of long-term job growth, satisfaction scores, and high median wages.

This article was contributed by guest author Rachelle Wilber.

By on July 22, 2015 in Academic Life, Our Stories
Image by Merrimack College on Flickr

Image by Merrimack College on Flickr

“Are you excited to graduate?”

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Over the past six months, almost every single person in my life has broached the topic of graduation at one point or another. After being asked about it so many times, you’d think that I’d know how to answer the question by now. But the truth is – I have absolutely no idea. At first, this realization was a terrifying reality that I had to face, and I sought out to discover the answer. However, upon undergoing some significant soul-searching, I thought to myself – maybe it’s okay to not know how to feel.

Graduation represents the closing of one chapter in life, along with the opening of another. Understandably, it’s natural to be bombarded by a surge of different emotions. Of course, there is the initial excitement that comes along with saying goodbye to midterms, finals, huge assignments, and those infamous all-nighters that left you feeling like a zombie for days on end. But at the same time, there comes the sadness associated with saying goodbye to familiar faces, a safe environment, and that comfortable routine that you’ve been living in for four years. Moreover, there comes the overwhelming fear that stems from not knowing what exactly the future is going to bring, as well as the stress of becoming what feels like a tiny fish in a sea of recent grads searching for jobs. And let’s not forget the pressure connected to becoming a real adult, taking on much heavier responsibilities, and nearing important milestones such as getting your first full-time job, potentially moving out, and better yet, getting married and having kids.

With that being said, it dawned on me that I was getting way too ahead of myself. And I think that coming to that realization is what is essential in moving forward in a stress-free and happy manner. Having obtained my Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from a prestigious business school, I have been told time and time again that a successful student is one who obtains full-time employment either a) in September of their final year of school or b) no later than twenty minutes after graduation (I say this with little to no exaggeration). But is this realistic? Not at all. I’ve finally come to understand that I’m still only twenty-two years old, I have the rest of my life to work, and I don’t have to get hired the day that I graduate in order to be successful. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t find a job right away, and I shouldn’t feel bad about wanting to take the summer to relax, travel, do the things that I enjoy, and figure out what exactly I want to do moving forward. I know so many people who just rushed into accepting job offers without truly considering whether or not it was a job that suited their interests and passions. Through my academics, work, and extracurricular experiences, I’ve learned that it is important to do what makes you happy. If it takes a little longer to figure out what that is or find a job that incorporates your passions, then that’s okay.

So where do I go from here? I’m not entirely certain yet. But having this great revelation has evoked one more feeling out of me – hope. I’m hopeful for my future and I look forward to finding my professional calling – whenever the time is right.