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Marketing Your Master’s Degree to Employers

You decided to take the next step in your education journey by pursuing a master’s degree. The many papers, projects, presentations, long nights, the cost…it all adds up and you want to ensure it pays off in the end. This is why it is so very important to properly market this education milestone in your resume.

Showcasing your master’s degree in your resume is not much different than showcasing your other qualifications, skills, and experiences; it is up to you to communicate the value of your degree. You will need to make clear how your graduate degree will benefit the organization and make you the best person for the role. Here are few things to keep in mind when you want this educational achievement to stand out:

  1. Specialized Knowledge. Do not assume that the title of your master’s degree is enough to explain the specialized knowledge you have learned while pursuing Highlight anything that you have learned or done that applies to the role you are applying to. What techniques have you learned? What skills did you gain? Keep it brief, but definitely mention these things.

  2. Course Content.  If you have completed course that are relevant to the position you are applying to, list them. This does not mean list the entire course catalog for your degree, but courses that speak to knowledge and skills mentioned in the job description.

  3. Professional Experience. While education is always a plus, experience is often looked upon more favorably. If you have both, you have put yourself in an even better position to win! Mention any hands-on, real-world experience you have gained while completing your degree. Research, fellowship, freelance work, and volunteering all give you real experience that can be used to bolster your standing. If you created something digital portfolios are a must to support your resume/CV.

  4. Skills. Communicate your transferable skills. This will always be a major factor in showing what you can bring to an organization. Use the job posting to identify what skills the employer is looking for. Construct a list of examples for each of those skills that you possess.

Remember that the onus is on you to show the value of your degree and the skills and experience that you have gained through pursuing it. This is NOT the time to be modest and mince words. Your documents must speak for you in your absence. If you do not tell them how amazing you are all the reasons you are the right fit for the position and the organization, no one else will!

If you need assistance with your cover letter (yes, you need one), resume, or CV reach out to your college’s Career Specialist. We are dedicated to assisting you in putting yourself in the best position to achieve the success you want.

By: Erica Shaw – University of Memphis Career Specialist - College of Communication & Fine Arts        

Published: July 2024

References

How to Market your Master’s. (n.d.).
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/sites/careers/files/how_to_market_your_masters.pdf

The Value of a Masters Degree – Employer Perspectives | FindAMasters.com. (n.d.).
www.FindAMasters.com. https://www.findamasters.com/guides/value-of-a-masters

Joubert, S. (2018, May 1). How to Market Your Master’s Degree to Employers. Graduate Blog.
How to Market Your Master's Degree on Your Resumé (northeastern.edu)