Approximately 21 million Americans possess a master's degree, says the 2019 Census. This means their knowledge is more specialized and their marketability more obvious than those with lesser degrees. To be competitive in the current job market, it takes more than a bachelor's degree. If you're considering continuing your education, now is the right time for several reasons.

Artificial Intelligence Is Narrowing the Job Market 

Thanks, in part, to COVID-19, robotics and artificial intelligence are making great strides in America. Experts predict that by the year 2025, nearly 50 percent of U.S. jobs will be done by machine. Because the national health crisis that took place in 2020 forced employers to design new technology — technology that doesn't rely on human workers — the push for AI and robotics is far ahead of schedule. 

In a robotic job market, applicants will need specialized people skills to remain competitive. A master's degree in an area such as marriage and family therapy helps to guarantee marketability. Machines can serve many purposes, but they can't provide the human element that's so important in fields such as mental health care.

Unemployment Is at an All-Time High

According to Forbes, roughly 60 million Americans became unemployed in 2020. While this was mostly due to COVID-19, many of those jobs will never come back. Either businesses have folded, or employers have found innovative methods of moving forward without the same number of employees. 

It's a good time to have the specialized knowledge that comes with a master's degree. An advanced degree in an ever-narrowing career field puts you out in front and helps ensure your application stays on top. 

Advanced Degrees Bring Bigger Salaries

Employees who had a master's degree earned nearly 4 times the salary of high school graduates in 2017. That's a difference of thousands of dollars annually. If you want a career that offers financial stability and the freedom to do the things you want to do, an advanced degree is a necessity. 

If you're considering earning your master's degree this year, consider the Master's of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Phillips Graduate Institute of Campbellsville University. Your future depends on your marketability. Make sure yours is the best it can be by earning your advanced degree. 

Attend our upcoming online information session, or apply for admission to the MFT program at Phillips Graduate Institute today.