Career Options with Master’s in USA

A Master’s degree in the USA is of two types: Professional Master’s and Academic Master’s.

While the Academic Master’s programs are chosen by those who want to pursue intellectual growth and are looking to pursue a Ph.D. later, the Professional Master’s programs are chosen by those are aiming at career enhancement. A Professional Master’s would help students sharpen their core skills through vocational and technical training. Now, it is important to understand that though these programs are accredited and will spruce up your standing in the job market in the US, there is no guarantee that it will be recognised in the international market.

Salient features of the Professional Master’s programs:

1. These programs would likely have fewer elective modules than academic programs but you can rest assured that your skill development will be full-fledged.
2. They are in most cases, offered by specialist graduate schools and follow a stricter syllabus of core training which will help you focus on specific competencies pertaining to a particular profession.
3. Such schools are also advantageous by their external partnerships with businesses and other professional organisations which can, in turn, have a significant impact on the learning and development of the student.
4. The Professional Master’s programs conclude with a formal internship in a relevant company or organisation in the same field.

With a surge in the number of Master’s degrees awarded in the past few years, we can see the competition getting tougher and hence there is a certain need for clarification as to which Master’s degree will make one more employable in the job market or which Master’s will give a boost to one’s career. Now, beware, all Master’s degrees do not come with a guarantee of lucrative offers and we can blame it on the trend of an increasing number of Master’s degrees. Nowadays, a Master’s degree is almost mandatory in some fields which are not even that attractive in their pay packages. However, find below the list of 10 Master’s programs that come with such mouth-watering options that you may want to seriously consider them.

1. Petroleum Engineering – one of the largest industries with a high demand for Petroleum Engineers who can explore and refine the crude oil to meet the energy needs of the world. On average, the pay scale is around $130,280 annually while the job growth potential is pegged at 26% per annum. After a Master’s in Petroleum Engineering, one can find a job as a Petroleum Geologist, Production Engineer, or a Reservoir Engineer.
2. Nurse Anaesthesia – A profession involving critical service, a Nurse Anaesthetist’s job is also among the high paying ones. The average salary hovers around $96,460 annually and the job growth rate shows a promising 31% per annum.
3. Mathematics – If Science solves problems, Math is the tool used for it. Hence, there are multiple careers that you could be choosing from; for instance, you could be a Mathematician, a Statistician, or even a Software Engineer. On average, a Maths graduate can be paid around $101,360 annually and the job growth prospects are at 23% per annum.
4. Political Science – A study of the government, politics, and practices at the local, state, national, and international levels which will qualify you for jobs in both government and private businesses. As a Political Science graduate, you may be employed as a City Manager, Lobbyist, or Post-Secondary Teacher with the median pay of around $102,000 per year. The job growth rate is estimated at 21% yearly.
5. Marketing – How can ‘Marketing’ not be on the list? So here it is; a choice of careers from Marketing Manager, Advertising Manager, to Creative Director, that can get you working on market research, brand management, and contract negotiations. You will be looking at a whopping $123,220 yearly income on an average while the job growth prospects are pegged at 12% per annum.
6. Healthcare Administration – As a Healthcare Administrator, you would be directing the operation of hospitals and healthcare organizations. With a potential for 23% growth every year, the job can pay an average of $88,580 per annum.
7. Computer Science – As a Computer Science graduate, you can make a career as a Software Developer or an Information Research Scientist. You will earn around $102,190 yearly with a 15% growth in job prospects.
8. Physical Therapy – A Physical Therapist is a licensed health care professional and can practice in hospitals or private clinics. The profession offers a median pay of $81,030 per year and a 36% annual growth in job opportunities.
9. Information Systems – An IT Manager, a Software Engineer, or a Systems Analyst – take your pick. The average pay is around $120,950 per year and the graduate degree can provide you with a 15% growth in job prospects.
10. Finance – From corporate finance to personal financial planning, from Finance Director to a Financial Analyst, you get to choose a wide range of career path. On average you can expect a pay of $112,700 annually and a job growth rate of 9% per annum.

By Chendurmathi Mannivanan, Senior Editor

What’s Next?

We have a lot more useful guides for your study abroad dream. Read our blog on Important Profile Building Tips for a US MBA, written by Manya-The Princeton Review expert.