Master’s degrees allow students that want to further their education after their undergraduate schooling to have that opportunity. This degree can make an individual extremely attractive to prospective employers and can give them an edge on employment competition. Students that complete a Master’s degree can pursue a variety of careers including work as a software engineer, market research analyst, or physical therapist.
Master’s Degree Programs
Master’s degrees are awarded at colleges and universities to students that have previously completed a bachelor’s degree and chose to further their education. They can be completed in a variety of educational fields and areas of specialization. Master’s degrees are intense programs that focus on significant research components and paper-writing. Students that pursue a Master’s degree may be better prepared to obtain employment in their desired field, and the completion of a Master’s degree can lead to a job as a software engineer, physical therapist, or market research analyst, among many other possibilities.
Software Engineer Job Opportunities for Master’s Degree Graduates
Software engineers are responsible for developing software programs for individuals and organizations. Software engineers will design programs and will leave the task of writing code for computer programmers. A degree in computer applications programming is not usually enough to get a job as a software engineer, and students will have to pursue additional education, as well. However, skills obtained in this program are essential in order for a person to become a successful software engineer. Software engineers direct software programming and development of documentation. They coordinate installation of software system and confer with data processing and project managers to obtain information on data processing capabilities and limitations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a software engineer in applications was $87,480 in 2009. The median annual salary for a software engineer in systems software was $93,470 in the same year. Employment in this field is expected to grow rapidly within the next several years.
Physical Therapist Job Opportunities for Master’s Degree Graduates
Physical therapists are responsible for planning, organizing, and assessing rehabilitative programs to relieve pain, increase strength, improve mobility, and prevent deforming of patients that are suffering from injury or disease. They perform or document an initial exam, carry out designed programs of physical treatment, and record responses and prognosis. They will identify and document goals and plans for reevaluation. They will also administer manual exercises and educate patients of activities they can perform at home to continue to get better. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a physical therapist in 2009 was $74,480, or $35.81 per hour. Projected growth is expected to be much faster than average with an estimated 78,600 job openings through 2018.
Market Research Analyst Job Opportunities for Master’s Degree Graduates
Market research analysts are responsible for collecting market information for a specific product by gathering competitor data, conducting surveys, and analyzing statistics from sales. They may develop new advertising strategies that can be successful in the marketing and sales of a new product. They may also develop opinions or ideas for new products based on interactions with the market. These individuals generally work for a marketing manager, and jobs in this area are expected to see excellent growth through 2014. In 2009, the median annual salary for a market research analyst was $61,580.