3 unexpected benefits of a master’s degree

TL;DR

• A business master’s looks good on your resume, but some lesser-known benefits of this advanced degree will also remain throughout your career
• Business school classrooms are diverse places, which means you’ll be able to learn from a wide range of business and life perspectives
• You’ll also expand your network, make friends for life, and establish connections that will benefit you in the long-term

While many people are drawn to a master’s degree to kickstart their career and boost their salary, studying a business master’s offers a range of other benefits, too.

Whether it’s learning a new language or experiencing a new culture if you study abroad, or expanding your network, business school offers far more than just a degree.

Here are some of the unexpected benefits you could enjoy during your master’s degree.

The unexpected benefits of your master's degree 

1. You’ll enjoy experiences outside the classroom

The skills you’ll learn during a master’s degree stretch far beyond what you’re taught in the classroom.

You could decide to take an extra course to boost your skillset. Business schools offer a range of extracurricular programs, helping you with things like learning a new language or developing coding skills. Alternatively, you might choose to join one of the many clubs on campus—whether that’s the consulting group, film society, or a sports club.

Whichever extracurricular opportunities you get involved with during your degree, you will likely pick up a range of additional skills that are valued by employers. These may include leadership, decision-making, teamwork, or project and events management.

Often, these are the skills that recruiters look out for when hiring. A recent survey by GMAC found communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills were among the top 10 skills that recruiters most value in business school graduates.

2. You’ll broaden your understanding and awareness of different cultures

The typical master’s cohort comprises students from all over the world. For example, the top-ranked Master in Finance at HEC Paris is made up of around 85% international students. This diversity exposes you to a wide range of cultures.

Whether you choose to study at home or abroad, you will likely work alongside students from different backgrounds during your business school master’s. This exposure helps develop your communication skills while also broadening your cultural understanding and preparing you to work in a diverse business environment.

You could also get the chance to experience a new country first-hand, becoming accustomed to the local culture, business practices and laws. This can be particularly beneficial if you plan to stay in the country after graduation.

3. You’ll expand your network and open new opportunities

During your degree you’ll interact with faculty, alumni, employers, and fellow students. This will help you build a diverse, professional network you can carry with you throughout your career.

Your classmates can also be a valuable source of connection, offering you healthy competition, inspiration, friendship, and mentorship. The friends you make from your cohort will often help to push and support you throughout your degree and beyond.

“You take a bunch of very smart, competitive people and put them together,” explains Julia Becker, a former student on the MSc in Strategy and International Management at St Gallen. Spending so much time in class means you learn and develop together, she adds.

The connections you make can last a lifetime, becoming one of the longest-lasting benefits you’ll gain from your degree.

Enrolling in a business master’s means unlocking a variety of career opportunities, making that dream internship possible, and helping to secure job offers at graduation.

But it’s important to remember the many other benefits you’ll gain during your program that can help you get the most out of your experience.