{"id":2660,"date":"2019-06-25T14:39:18","date_gmt":"2019-06-25T19:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/?post_type=advice&#038;p=2660"},"modified":"2023-05-02T12:27:07","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T17:27:07","slug":"what-are-the-benefits-of-going-to-grad-school","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/what-are-the-benefits-of-going-to-grad-school\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Benefits of Going to Grad School?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re considering graduate school, you likely already see the value in furthering your education. There are so many different types of programs to choose from\u2014on-campus, online, or blended locations with styles ranging from coursework and projects to coursework and thesis presentations. Previously, we\u2019ve outlined <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/9-reasons-pursue-masters-degree\/\">nine unique reasons to earn a Master\u2019s degree<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. But now we want to dive a little deeper into the impact can have on your life\u2014both professionally and personally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Professional Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Increased Salary<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s no reason to beat around the bush\u2014your earning potential as a graduate-educated professional will very likely be higher than that of someone whose education concluded with a bachelor\u2019s degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/careeroutlook\/2018\/data-on-display\/education-pays.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u201c&#8230;the more you learn, the more you earn.\u201d A working professional with a master\u2019s degree could potentially make an annual $11,000 more than one with a bachelor\u2019s. If you go on to earn your doctorate, you open up the door to an additional $27,000 more in annual salary.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Career Advancement<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re looking to move up in your career, gaining additional skills through a graduate program might give you a competitive edge over someone with an equal amount of experience but fewer years of education under their belt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.careerbuilder.com\/advice\/blog\/employers-looking-for-more-educated-workers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">careerbuilder.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u201cThirty-three percent [of employers] are hiring workers with master&#8217;s degrees for positions that had been primarily held by those with four-year degrees\u2026\u201d Any way you look at it, there\u2019s no downside to holding a graduate degree; more opportunities present themselves when you further your education.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Employment Opportunities<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you think it might be time to switch gears and change professions, it is helpful to know that a number of industries are now looking for higher-educated workers. While you shouldn\u2019t choose a career based solely on earning potential or the possibility of other doors opening, it\u2019s important to do your research and gather all the information you can.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.liveabout.com\/fastest-growing-careers-that-require-a-graduate-degree-525685\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">the fast-growing careers listed here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> requires a graduate degree. And while many professions require experience in a field, you might not even have to have worked in a field if you earn a degree in a relevant subject. Having the option, should you need it, is definitely a plus!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Networking<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In graduate school, you will learn alongside a smaller group of students and work more closely with your professors, allowing you to form relationships that can help you thrive in your field. You\u2019ll also have greater access to research or apprenticeship opportunities, and you might even find a post-graduate job!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Personal Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Become a Lifelong Learner<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As culture and technology continue to progress, it is important for us to take the appropriate steps to keep up. To be a lifelong learner means to strive constantly for the mastery of new skills, and attending graduate school is a clear way to direct that pursuit of knowledge. Not only will you become an expert in a particular field, but you will also be introduced to viewpoints and opinions that might be different from yours. This kind of exposure is beneficial to both professional and personal improvement.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Personal Accomplishment<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Earning your graduate degree is a serious confidence-booster. When you are able to prove your knowledge and the ability to finish what you start with your degree, there can be no doubt in your skills, understanding, and dedication. Holding a master\u2019s degree or higher will give you a sense of accomplishment and pride that will last a lifetime.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Lifestyle Changes<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As we\u2019ve discussed above, earning a graduate degree will very likely mean an increase in earning potential, which could translate, of course, to more financial freedom. You may have heard the saying, \u201cMoney doesn\u2019t buy happiness.\u201d That\u2019s true, but a higher paycheck makes it easier to get out of debt, save for an emergency, and live with the ability to support your family comfortably. Whatever your needs or desires for the future, a graduate degree\u2019s potential comes with the possible funding for your lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Choosing to pursue a graduate degree is not a decision you will want to make lightly. But once you decide on that path and figure out how to make room for it in your life, you will not regret it. The professional and personal benefits to earning a graduate degree will make the investment in your future worthwhile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wondering where to start? The schools you can find through <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/\">Abound: Grad School<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have all gotten a seal of approval from our team of experts\u2014we\u2019re here to help you every step of the way!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>More Helpful Guides:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/how-to-find-the-right-graduate-school\/\">How to Find the Right Graduate School<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/what-is-grad-school\/\">What is Grad School?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/how-to-improve-undergraduate-gpa-after-graduating-college\/\">How to Improve Your Undergraduate GPA after Graduating College<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/7-tips-to-help-you-balance-school-and-work\/\">7 Tips to Help You Balance School and Work<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re considering graduate school, you likely already see the value in furthering your education. But what are those key benefits of going to grad school? We analyze the impact grad school can have on your life\u2014both professionally and personally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2662,"template":"","class_list":["post-2660","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-student-success","abound_advice_topics-thinking-about-grad-school","abound_advice_topics-career-outlook"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Are the Benefits of Going to Grad School? - Abound: Grad School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many key benefits of going to grad school. 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