Each year, a new generation of hopeful college graduates enter the workforce hoping to find an inviting door to a job opportunity. Unfortunately, with the current unemployment rate at 7.5 percent and the underemployment rate at 13.9 percent, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, many will realize soon after they begin their job searches that they may be better off sitting this round out.
Pursuing a graduate degree during this time is a great way to make productive use of your time while the job market is overly saturated with recent grads. During down times, like when classes are in session, is a great time to start looking for jobs. Potential employers tend to give a higher priority to those with master's degrees because it often takes longer to fill a senior position through promotions.
The following list of master's degrees will help you decide whether you want to pursue one of your own in order to reinforce the skills you gain as an undergrad:
?
1) Physician Assistant Studies, average mid-career pay $97,000
A physician assistant diagnose and provide preventative health care services while working under the supervision of a doctor. Physician assistants are in high demand being that they're the right hand men and women to doctors. They play an important role in making sure that necessary health care tasks are carried out meanwhile doctors are able to help more patients on a regular basis.
Although physician assistants don't earn as much as doctors, their salaries are nothing to complain about. According to the BLS, employment opportunities for physician assistants are expected to increase by 30 percent until 2020. High demand coupled with great pay put this master's degree in the top spot.
2) Computer Science, average mid-career pay $109,000
The work that computer and information research scientist do is a crux in the advancement and efficiency improvement in areas such as better networking technology, faster computing speeds, and more effective information security. Generally, computer and information research scientists focus more on the theoretical aspect of the field than other computer professionals.
The technology boom is at its peak and there's no sign of it plunging any time soon. The BLS expects employment in this field to grow 22.3 percent by 2020. Because business of all kinds operate and depend on technology, demand is at a steady high.
3) Electrical Engineering, average mid-career pay $121,000
Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the making of electrical products and equipment like electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communication systems, or power generation equipment. They also design the electrical systems of automobiles and airplanes.
Although the projected employment growth for this industry is only about 7 percent, workers in this field are paid considerably well since it's a specialized field. According to the BLS, the rapid pace of technological innovation will likely be the main driver of demand for electrical engineers in research and development. Their expertise will be sought out to develop distribution systems related to new technologies.
Each year, a new generation of hopeful college graduates enter the workforce hoping to find an inviting door to a job opportunity. Unfortunately, with the current unemployment rate at 7.5 percent and the underemployment rate at 13.9 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many will realize soon after they begin their job searches that they may be better off sitting this round out. 
