If you are among the cynics who believe that higher education can’t get you anywhere, here’s some food for thought. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those who held a graduate or professional degree earned $15,321 more than baccalaureates and a handsome $35,726 more than high school diploma holders.*

Still not convinced to get a Master’s degree? Then you should probably think back to the time when someone else was given a promotion over you or when you did not make it through an interview to your dream job. While a graduate degree would not have guaranteed you the promotion or the job you had been seeking, it could have brought you closer.

So, if you are looking for career mobility, if you dream of leading a team someday and take home a fat paycheck, Master’s degrees may pave the way for you. Here are a few reasons why pursuing a graduate degree makes sense and how it can help you advance your career:

• Those with a graduate degree are considered specialists in their fields.

• Their knowledge base is considered to be wider and richer.

• Some professions have Master’s degrees as the minimum credential.

• Management level jobs in various fields require a Master’s degree.

• Master’s degrees will help you pick up important skills like time management, leadership, team playing, and communication that form the basis of all supervisory roles.

• Graduate degrees help you remain marketable and competitive.

• A Master’s degree will help you prepare for a career switch.

• You can take advantage of education benefit programs that many employers offer.

• By pursuing a graduate degree, you will create a positive impression on your employer.

However, a major worry for most professionals considering higher education is the skyrocketing tuition fee, especially for sought after programs like an MBA. Besides, not everyone can afford to take time off work for academic sojourns.

For such individuals, the availability of Master’s degrees online is an excellent alternative. Not only an online graduate degree is a lot more economical than traditional on-campus program, it also offers you the flexibility to study at your own pace, on your own time, and at your own convenience.

By pursuing an online Master’s degree, you will give your career the much needed shot in the arm without putting your personal life and professional commitments at stake!

Another area of concern is the effects of economic downturn on higher education. While many question the wisdom in pursuing a Master’s degree at the time of recession, others believe that it is the ideal way to spend time constructively if you are between jobs. It will help you stay motivated, sharpen your skills and help you learn new ones, and once the dust on the economic crisis settles down, you will have emerged better from it.

*U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey