What to expect after your masters degree depends on the degree area, its purpose, your professional development status during your studies (if you have work experience or continued straight through college), and the overall job market.

Overall, your area-specific skills and knowledge should be cutting-edge. A masters also implies solid set of professional skills, particularly writing (See Hot Job Skills: Companies Want Staff with Writing M.U.S.C.L.E).

In-demand areas include:

• Master of Science (MS) in technology (such as computer or data science)
• Masters in a professional field (such as an M.Eng in chemical or civil engineering)
• Master of Arts in media/digital arts (an MA in fields such as interaction design, social media or digital communication)

Those currently employed in specific technical fields, or with job experience, can expect a wide range of opportunities for their skills from different kinds of companies. Advanced technical expertise can also ease the way for promotions and salary increases in your current company.

Those just joining the workforce should have a variety of prospects with an in-demand specialty and special skills, as well as a corresponding rank and salary higher than a BS. Those in digital media can expect entry level creative or managerial jobs if they have little or no work experience. If already employed, and the MA has added to technical and business skills, a higher level of challenging opportunities is available, often with bottom-line responsibilities and mobility among companies.