Graduate degrees are essential for many careers, but they don’t always fit into our goals. Sometimes we have to make a choice between a degree that will help us get our dream job and one that will keep us on the path to our long-term goals. Sometimes, a degree is just a stepping stone to our ultimate goal. It’s important to figure out what will work best for our individual career goals.
According to one study, on average, employees with a bachelor’s degree earn a median annual income of $61,000 over the course of their career, while employees possessing a master’s degree earn $78,000 per year.
How to answer “How does this graduate degree fit into your career goals?”
It’s crucial that you discuss your career objectives in your response and show how they relate to the reasons you want to earn a degree. From here, you can show the interviewer that you are a trustworthy, determined candidate who has an expressed commitment to finishing a demanding academic program and that you understand the scope of the degree you hope to earn. Here is a step-by-step instruction sheet to help you respond to this question correctly keeping these objectives in mind:
1. Outline your motivation for pursuing your degree
Try to explain why you want to pursue a degree in your prepared response. Think about your motivations for pursuing an advanced degree and what a particular program can offer you. For instance, you might be inspired to pursue a master’s degree in education to hone your instructional design, classroom management, and curriculum development skills.
2. Determine your career goals
Consider your career objectives after examining why you want to pursue a graduate degree. Consider whether you want to advance your knowledge, change careers, learn new skills, enter a new profession, build relationships with people in your field, or gain professional experience. By enrolling in a graduate program, you can achieve each of these objectives, and you might be able to talk about them in your response.
3. Discuss how your educational plan aligns with your career goals
Your response to this question can take shape once you have determined your career objectives and the driving forces behind your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Start by talking about how your educational strategy fits with your career objectives and how earning a degree can help you realize your dreams. For instance, if you’re a high school teacher looking to move into administration, you could describe how earning a master’s degree in educational leadership can help you develop the specific skill set and competencies required for such a position.
4. Mention your plans for tailoring your education to your needs
It might be beneficial for you to mention in your response how you intend to modify your graduate degree program to better suit your needs as a student. You can talk about your plans for utilizing particular opportunities that graduate programs provide for students as well as the reasons these opportunities appeal to you. This can demonstrate that you have given careful thought to how a particular program and its resources can support your professional development.
5. Explain the additional value education can offer you
Reiterate the benefits you believe a graduate degree can provide as you finish your response. This value need not directly relate to the career objectives you previously stated; instead, you can talk about the broad advantages you anticipate from pursuing higher education. For instance, you could describe how a graduate degree will help you to specialize your knowledge, boost your self-assurance, validate your abilities to potential employers, acquire experience, or form connections.
Why do interviewers ask “How does this graduate degree fit into your career goals?”
In order to determine whether your educational goals and your post-graduate plans are compatible, an admissions counselor may ask you this question during a graduate school interview. They may also ask you why you want to pursue a graduate degree. Interviewers can decide if the graduate program you’re pursuing is right for you by getting a better understanding of your goals as a prospective student and future professional.
Additionally, your response to this question may assist an interviewer in determining whether the curriculum, opportunities, and resources of a graduate program can feasibly support you in achieving your goals. From here, a interviewer might be able to gauge your academic potential and suggest that you be admitted to a graduate program.
4 example answers
You may gain a better understanding of how to respond to this query in an interview setting by going over sample responses. You can use the following examples as a guide when writing your own response when asked about various career objectives that graduate students might have:
1. Enter a particular profession
In the long run, I hope to work as a clinical social worker and assist underprivileged groups in getting the services they require to lead happy, healthy lives. My first step toward achieving this goal is to obtain a master’s degree in social work, as this program of study will enable me to advance my knowledge, gain practical experience, and get ready for licensure. “.
2. Boost knowledge and advance your skills
“I was recently promoted to a management position at a marketing company, and while I feel deserving of this position, I believe pursuing further education will make me a more effective leader. I hope that by obtaining a master’s degree in communications, I will be able to broaden my knowledge of the subject and continue to build the skills necessary for success as a marketing professional. “.
3. Gain experience
“I’ve always wanted to work in psychology research, and I think getting a Ph D. in this field can assist me in acquiring the fundamental experience I need to realize my career goals. I hope that this degree program will give me the chance to hone my skills and use them in a lab environment so that I can pursue more specialized roles in academic research in the future. “.
4. Make professional relationships
“As a working business professional, I want to earn a master’s degree in business administration to advance my career as an innovator and to develop enduring relationships with my professors and peers. I think these connections will enable me to spot potential future partnerships and develop into the leader I want to be. “.
What Are Your Career Goals? BEST SAMPLE ANSWER
FAQ
How will pursuing a graduate degree help you reach your career goals?
- 1) GAIN KNOWLEDGE. This reason may be a given. …
- 2) ENHANCE YOUR SOFT SKILLS. …
- 3) DEMONSTRATE A STRONG WORK ETHIC. …
- 4) BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE FOR SUCCESS. …
- 5) GROW YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK. …
- Grow your career through education.
How do I write my career goals for grad school?
- Consult the prompt. …
- Think about your goals. …
- Research. …
- Brainstorm how your target school fits your needs. …
- Write your introduction. …
- Mention past experiences. …
- Address specifics about your target school. …
- Conclude your statement.
What is your goal after you complete master’s degree?
While there are many different reasons to pursue a master’s degree, the most common ones include improving one’s competitiveness in the job market, securing a more senior position or role within a company, acquiring new professional skills and competencies, increasing one’s income, and gaining enriching life experiences.
What should I put for career goals?
- Gain a New Skill. …
- Boost Your Networking Abilities. …
- Intern with a Large Company to Gain Experience. …
- Start Your Own Business. …
- Improve Your Sales or Productivity Numbers. …
- Earn a Degree or Certification. …
- Make a Career Switch. …
- Become an Expert in Your Field.
