If you have earned your bachelor’s degree and are contemplating getting an advanced degree, you may be asking yourself “Will my graduate school play a major role in helping me land a job after graduation?” With a graduate degree, you can gain a specialized knowledge in a particular area of study. That specialized knowledge will prepare you for so many different types of positions and will also add to your qualifications. Your resume will then be more attractive to employers in that area or industry.
Sometimes, even with a master’s degree, it can be difficult to land a position due to all of the competition that exists. If you want to ensure that your extra two years in school and thousands of dollars in tuition will pay off, it could be in your best interests to choose a graduate school that will connect you to big players in the industry. Read on, and find out how the most respected graduate schools help their soon-to-be graduates find employment and what options are available for alumni.
Individual Counseling Sessions For Students and Alumni
All universities have counselors who sit down with students, but a majority also have a designated career counselor that will meet individually with new graduates and older alumni. The career coaching sessions can be done over-the-phone, in person or on a video conferencing application like Skype. The counselor may help you draft your resume, review and edit the resume, complete mock interviews with you, or help point you in the right direction when applying for a competitive title.
Graduate Schools Are Now Offering LinkedIn Groups for Alumni
Many universities are now offering alumni the option to enter into their official LinkedIn groups so they can network with employers and fellow grads. Studies show that hiring managers will often give preference to professionals who are qualified and have a school in common with them. Not only does LinkedIn help you network effectively, it strengthens your credibility and the likelihood of getting a call back from a potential employer.
Career Events and Special Workshops for Networking
Networking online through a social platform like LinkedIn is not the only way that you can meet potential employers or network. Many universities with graduate degree programs will hold job fairs and other career events for students who are up for graduation and alumni who have graduated at the top of their class. There will be presentations for professionals to help them advance their career and other on-campus meetings that all students can benefit from. Some students land a job before they even graduate by attending career fairs and networking panels, which is great in today’s economy.
It can be difficult to find a job in tough economies. In fact, the statistics show that 48% of professionals with graduate degrees are in jobs that do not even require a 4-year degree. If you do not want to have difficulty finding a job or settle for a job that you are over-qualified for, you should take advantage of the tools that are offered by graduate schools. While not all schools offer the same advantageous tools and forms of assistance, if you take the time to find a reputable school you should get the help you need. With the answer to the question “Will a university play a role in helping me land a job after graduation?”, you can start to qualify schools based on what is important to you.
For more information on finding a great graduate school program, please see: The Top 10 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs.
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