Get an edge in the job market with a graduate degree

In a tough job market, holders of graduate degrees, such as master's or doctorate degrees, are finding their job prospects are far better than their competition with bachelor's degrees or lower. With these higher degrees come more advanced skills, understanding and potential. Across the board, recruiters report that graduate degrees can give job candidates a huge boost over other applicants.

"What a difference a degree makes," says Steve Terrell of Covina, Calif. Three years ago, Terrell was laid off from his call center job of 8 years. As he started his job search, he found that his bachelor's degree just wasn't good enough. "Everybody and their dog had a bachelor's degree," Terrell says. "I didn't have anything to distinguish myself."

After 3 months without a job, Terrell was frustrated. "I thought something must be wrong with me," he says. "It was a pretty dark time."

Then one day during lunch, a friend asked Terrell if he had considered going back to school to get a graduate degree. "I laughed at first," he says. "I just never thought I was master's or doctoral degree material."

But the idea stuck with him. On his friend's recommendation, Terrell visited ClassesandCareers.com, a free online education information resource. In a few minutes, users can fill out a form and be connected with a live education advisor.

"I went to the Web site and told them about my goals," Terrell says. "Not long after, an advisor called me and helped me find a nice, flexible full-time program. I could do lectures and homework from my computer and get my degree in 18 months. They even helped me find financial aid."

Terrell graduated recently with an MBA in Organizational Behavior. He's already begun his new job as an human resources manager at a Los Angeles architectural firm. "The MBA made all the difference," he says. "There is a night and day difference when you have that advanced degree. They did everything short of rolling out the red carpet for me. It was the best thing I could've done."

If you are looking for an advantage in a tough job market, visit ClassesandCareers.com to be connected live with an education advisor. After assessing your career goals, they will help you find the best graduate degree program. A variety of graduate degrees are available in health care, business, information technology, education and many other fields.


Get the advantage of an advanced degree and meet with an education adviser today at ClassesandCareers.com. Copyright ©, ARAnet, Inc.