By Dr. Jennifer Douglas
Director, Graduate Studies at American Public University
As reported by the Council of Graduate Schools, employment for individuals with master’s degrees is expected to grow 22% from 2010 to 2020. Completing a master’s degree can enhance your career prospects by providing you with deeper knowledge in the content area as well as transferable skills for the current job market. According to research conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools, graduate students need to develop transferable skills in order to be successful in the workplace, whether seeking a new career or advancing in a current one.
What are these transferable skills? According to the Pathways through Graduate School and Into Careers report, employers most often seek communication skills (both speaking and writing), teamwork capability, leadership traits, and problem-solving capacity. Graduate students can cultivate these skills while in school by taking advantage of professional development opportunities, such as completing presentations, group projects, practicums, research assignments, and networking.
Not sure which skills are most important to your goals? See the ONet Online for a deep dive into the skills and qualifications for thousands of career paths. You can search for your careers by your interest or the fastest-growing fields! Every graduate program at American Public University also describes employment options on its program website, and the Career Services office provides tailored support.
[Sign up for a Graduate Studies Webinar.]
In 2016, the monthly Graduate Studies Webinars at American Public University System will focus on developing transferable skills, from writing grants to addressing conflict in the workplace. These hour-long webinars will equip students with new ideas and tools to strengthen transferable skills for career success.
Join us for the February 19th webinar at noon eastern time for “Managing Conflict in the Workplace.” For more of these monthly webinars, visit the Around Campus calendar for more information.
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