Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday! Happy Spring!

Here is a dichotomy: labor shortage vis-à-vis a tighter job market! Yes, there is a shortage of engineering and technical talent. According to a recent report by the Addison Group, in-demand engineering roles include “project engineers, civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and industrial engineers.” Yet many professionals report difficulty finding high-quality jobs. In fact, “more companies are electing to leave a job opening vacant for longer in search of an ideal fit rather than hiring a candidate who may take time to train and upskill.”

Speculation about the causes of the current job market varies, including the shift from a pandemic-era employee market to a post-pandemic employer market. Simply put, employers are more selective about who they hire. As a result, there is competition despite a shortage of skilled, technical talent. As a further result, ambitious professionals are trying to distinguish themselves from other highly qualified candidates. To this end, I have been hearing from many of our alumni who inquire about pursuing a master’s degree to leap ahead in a competitive market. Many ask if such an investment of time and resources is worth it.

The answer has been consistently yes, according to many studies that have reported on the return on investment (ROI) of a master’s degree. Considering financial and nonfinancial benefits, the ROI provides context for deciding whether to pursue an MS degree.

Understanding that promotions and salary increases are only two of the many benefits of earning an MS degree, professionals with a master’s degree can expect to command an average salary increase of around 25%. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduate degree holders also have the highest median earnings and lowest unemployment rates.

Here at Missouri S&T, we are strengthening our presence in the St. Louis region to help working professionals enroll and earn their master’s degrees in St. Louis. The new S&T in St. Louis supports face-to-face instruction and professional education with integrated online capability. This initiative expands lifelong learning opportunities for alumni and other working professionals, supports employers seeking talent and workforce development, and broadens access to S&T programs. In addition to professional master's and certificate programs, short coursesfocus on areas such as construction innovation, drones and robotics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, leadership, water systems, and systems design. Programs range from one- or two-day intensive boot camps to shorter courses meeting two hours each week for four to six weeks.

Further, by working directly with employers, S&T in St. Louis provides tailored educational opportunities to meet the workforce needs of companies. Organizations can partner with S&T to develop customized professional development offerings for their employees and technical teams, benefiting both employers and employees.

In addition, Missouri S&T also develops customized short courses and workshops for organizations across the nation and globally. These offerings can be delivered on site or online and are structured to meet each organization’s specific needs. Of course, the university offers a growing list of fully online degree programs as well.

Aside from promotions, job stability and higher income potential, pursuing a master’s degree challenges us to broaden our knowledge base. It helps us better understand and improve ourselves by working through new challenges that enhance our skills, knowledge and abilities (SKAs), including teamworking skills. Consider the leadership, time management, project management, collaboration and interpersonal communication skills you develop – alongside the vast networking opportunities that graduate school provides.

In the end, if you sense a pending change in the labor market, don’t waste the opportunity to distinguish yourself and become better prepared to face the new challenges. Consider graduate school. The ROI is tremendous.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu