What do you do if you want to advance your career in career development with an advanced degree?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you enroll in any degree program, you need to evaluate your current situation and identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Ask yourself questions such as: What are your short-term and long-term career goals? What are the gaps in your knowledge and skills that you need to fill? What are the requirements and expectations of your current or desired role? How much time, money, and energy can you invest in your education? How will you balance your personal and professional commitments? By answering these questions, you can clarify your needs and priorities and narrow down your choices.

2 Explore the available degrees

There are many types of degrees that can be relevant and beneficial for your career in career development, depending on your specific focus and interests. Some of the most common ones are: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling, Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling Psychology, Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Resource Development, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Organizational Behavior or Leadership, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Counseling or Educational Leadership, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology or Human Resource Development. Each degree has its own curriculum, duration, cost, accreditation, and admission criteria, so you need to do your research and compare the pros and cons of each option.

3 Consider the specializations and concentrations

Within each degree program, you might have the opportunity to choose a specialization or concentration that aligns with your career goals and interests. For example, if you are interested in working with students or academic institutions, you might opt for a specialization in school counseling or career education. If you are interested in working with adults or organizations, you might opt for a specialization in career counseling, coaching, or consulting. If you are interested in advancing the field of career development through research and scholarship, you might opt for a specialization in career theory, assessment, or development. Choosing a specialization or concentration can help you tailor your education to your specific needs and preferences.

4 Seek feedback and guidance

Another important step in choosing the right degree for your career in career development is to seek feedback and guidance from various sources. You can talk to your mentors, colleagues, supervisors, or peers who have completed or are pursuing a similar degree and ask them about their experiences, challenges, and outcomes. You can also reach out to the faculty, alumni, or current students of the degree programs that interest you and ask them about the curriculum, quality, reputation, and support of the program. You can also consult with professional associations, such as the National Career Development Association (NCDA), the American Counseling Association (ACA), or the International Coach Federation (ICF), and learn about the standards, ethics, and best practices of the field.