The Value of Earning A Post Graduate Degree
In today's high-speed business world, an increasing number of people are contributing time and money to postgraduate education.
The idea of lifelong-learning is becoming a necessity for people who want to securely, and even profitably, emerge from the recession. Now is the perfect time to leave the work force and re-enter the classroom. By earning a postgraduate degree, students can equip themselves with the skills and knowledge needed to re-enter the labor market with newfound confidence - if they complete the correct program.
According to Professor Borgonovi, director of the highly distinguished Italian business school SDA Bocconi, "A specialist master degree facilitates entry into the job market, adding value to undergraduate degrees that offer limited job opportunities." Bocconi works with various MBA programs and other postgraduate degrees ranging from fashion management to corporate finance. Professor Borgonovi claims, "Specialized master courses enable students to follow the dynamics of a changing job market more closely and rapidly by responding to the emergence of new professional fields and evolving competencies within traditional professions."
In today's economy, with the market attempting to recover from the previous year's financial slump, can we continue to ensure that a postgraduate degree is a criterion that provides opportunities?
According to Dr. Meda of The Italian Association for Management Education Development (ASFOR), statistics prove the need for postgraduate education. 92% to 100% of graduates find employment within six months after completing one of the 21 masters programs recognized by ASFOR. Dr. Meda claims that it is essential to apply key criteria when deciding the right specialized business master's degree program. Two significant factors include the course's curriculum as well as the school's reputation in the business world. Dr. Meda claims that even basic programs need to consist of at least 30% general management theory. AT Kearney Italia's recruiting manager, Paola Vecchio, agrees with Dr. Meda. Vecchio states, "During the interview process, which also involves problem-solving tests, it often emerges that brilliant graduates of specialized masters somehow lack the flexibility and broad vision of an MBA. Obviously there are positions that require highly specialized expertise, but when it comes to consultancy it's always better to be able to assess the overall situation as well as the specific needs of a client."
It is challenging to evaluate the significance of a specialized master's degree, however, in salary terms.
Ms Nesrin Rachid, an associate of marketing/communications at Rotterdam school of management, states, "From our observations, the salary offered by companies has a strong relationship with the background and experience of the candidate. At RSM we see strong value for candidates to undertake a postgraduate business course after a few years of work experience."
According to Rachid, "Students with some experience add to the diversity in the classroom from their varied professional backgrounds - from different industries and different functional roles. The recruiting companies also appreciate this factor."
Overall, a specialized master's degree in business can be a valuable asset; however, it is important to complete research, ask questions, and get together with admissions representatives prior to entering a program.
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