4 Ways An Innovative Master’s Will Boost Your Career Prospects

Revolutionary advancements in tech, such as robotics and AI, responses to climate change, and the ever-shifting nature of the modern workplace are transforming businesses across sectors. 

To keep up with the business world beyond the classroom, business schools are continually innovating their curricula. 

The master’s degrees on offer at the University of Liverpool School of Management place an emphasis on business innovation to prepare students for the modern workforce. 

Dr David Cockayne, an associate professor in the Management School's Marketing Group, explains what makes their master’s degree programs distinct. 

"When you look at our suite of programs, you can see that we are creating bespoke agile master’s degrees rather than more generic conversion ones.” 

1. New skills and knowledge acquisition

In our current climate, almost every industry is changing rapidly to adapt to market needs. 

If you don’t continue to upskill, you might get left behind. Completing an innovative master’s degree will help you to increase your generalist business knowledge while allowing you to specialize and become an expert in your chosen field. 

Big data analytics is an industry that’s exhibiting huge demand for qualified individuals to take up global management careers. Liverpool’s MSc in Business Analytics and Big Data can help you do just that. 

Through courses, such as Data Mining and Machine Learning and Sustainable Supply Chain Management, students develop an ability to assess the insights provided by big data and business analytics. 

David (pictured) explains how Liverpool Management School teaches master’s students to be digitally fluent enough to predict the continuing changes in the world.

“In our Business Analytics and Big Data and FinTech programs, we give students the tools to do the analysis to see the changes in finance and accounting practices, but equally to understand how these practices are going to continue changing,” he says.

Leveling up technical, transferable skills is a priority within all the master’s programs, he adds. 

The Financial Technical (FinTech) MSc gives students a modern skill set, which aims to future-proof learning and employability across fields such as blockchain, digital banking, the future of global payments, cryptocurrencies, digital business strategy, big data, as well as the future of management.

Ramsha Bukhari, a Pakistan native and recent graduate of the Advanced Marketing MSc, developed her marketing skills within a modern day business context through practical classes and projects. 

“My skill set has expanded significantly, particularly in the realm of design thinking and marketing analytics, which is trending in the industry right now.”

In her Design Thinking module, she had to devise a new product or service and use the design thinking principles to solve a marketing challenge or problem facing society.

“I did detailed research that culminated in the conceptualization of an app to tackle food waste,” Ramsha says. 

2. Connections that will help you in the future 

One of the major advantages of business school is the ample network you develop there, both with fellow students and industry-facing experts. 

A unique program at Liverpool is the MSc in Sports Business and Management, which David Cockayne founded on modern principles. 

“I wanted something different, something a bit more critical, and a bit more engaging. So, I got the chief executives of our local football clubs, I got people from some of the big consulting practices, and people who had studied on sports programs to contribute to developing the program.”

From guest speakers to experiential modules to the capstone project, students meet business leaders across the sports industry throughout the program. 

In the capstone Sports Business Practice module, students visit Premier League Football clubs as well as high-profile sports businesses from cricket, rugby, and other sports. 

Students have access to sports business speakers to enhance their understanding of the practical aspects of working in the industry’s global business market.

3. Leadership abilities 

Advancing leadership capabilities is a common goal of business schools as it’s essential to progressing in business. 

Modern day leadership requires an updated set of skills. With ESG practices, and initiatives to promote inclusion and diversity, managers are required to have a new understanding of leadership.

Liverpool's Advanced Marketing MSc prioritizes leadership lessons through a modern lens.

“The Advanced Marketing MSc builds leadership and senior management capabilities in marketing,” David says. “This is to answer broader macro questions, but also to give the students a space to learn with the tools and the data that they would in practice.” 

The marketing courses at Liverpool Management School focus on modern approaches, including Responsible Marketing and Marketing and Digital Analytics. These courses equip students with valuable knowledge they can apply to advance their careers.

“Most employers want us to have skills that will help us translate data into actionable insights,” Ramsha (pictured) says. 

4. Personal development 

Master’s degree programs can not only advance your technical skill set but these programs may help advance your communication and interpersonal skills.  

This is something that Ramsha found beneficial, helping her to continue growing in the future marketing business world. 

“I’m now far more skilled and consider inclusivity and sustainability when devising marketing strategies—aspects that are needed for future marketing business leaders,” she concludes.