Whether it's to change careers or improve your resume, pursuing a second degree can be a great option. But when is it really worthwhile?
Pursuing a second degree has become an increasingly common choice among professionals . Generally, this return to educational institutions has two main reasons: a career change or to enhance qualifications and complement existing knowledge.
Whatever the reason, it's important to understand the different factors that influence your career path in a second degree program.
You might be wondering if it's really worth investing in a new course , and with that in mind, we've outlined some points to clarify and help you decide whether to start a second degree. Keep reading so you don't miss anything!
1. What is a second degree?
When a graduate wants to pursue a new undergraduate degree, they typically enroll in an institution for a second degree. The advantage of this enrollment method is the ability to take advantage of common credits between the two programs.
A very common example of this is economists who want to complement their knowledge and study Law, to increase their career possibilities.
In addition to acquiring new knowledge, pursuing a second degree is an opportunity to change fields and/or boost your resume . This is because having only one higher education degree has become just another requirement and is no longer a differentiating factor.
2- When is it worthwhile to pursue a second degree?
As mentioned above, there are two main reasons why professionals from various fields pursue a second degree. But there are other reasons as well. Check out the full list below!
Career Change
Changing careers isn't always easy, but sometimes it's necessary. If you feel stuck in your current field, returning to the classroom is one of the best options; in other words, a second degree can be the springboard you need to dive into a new career!
During the new course, practical activities and theoretical content will help you develop the skills necessary to pursue a new profession. And best of all, you'll already have more maturity to handle the process.
In a new undergraduate course aimed at changing careers, it's possible to build a strong network and a new circle of contacts that will help you get started in the new field.
Public Selection Processes
If your goal is to enter the public sector and take competitive exams, it's necessary to evaluate the requirements for each position. Some require specific higher education, so you may need to return to college.
One of the most important and frequent degrees for those who want to pursue a public career is Law , as it forms the basis of knowledge for most competitive exams. This can further broaden your range of new opportunities.
Improve your resume
For those whose main goal is to expand their knowledge and improve their resume, returning to college is a great option, as it also means broadening horizons, staying up-to-date on discussions, and building relationships with new professionals in their field.
Having other qualifications in related fields broadens career possibilities, as they allow professionals to have a more complete and comprehensive view of specific subjects.
Higher salaries
When a professional invests in a second degree, they develop new expertise, making them more versatile and able to handle more complex tasks, which is also reflected in their salary. After all, with the expansion of their professional scope, it's only fair to ask for a salary increase.
Easy access to education
When pursuing a second degree, the student has the advantage of being more mature and familiar with the pace of higher education. Furthermore, it's also possible to eliminate some content from the curriculum and shorten its duration.
Many educational institutions also offer incentives for those returning to the classroom, such as scholarships and discounts.
In January 2022, IDP held a webinar with Professor Dr. Mônica Sapucaia, graduate student José Jance, and undergraduate law student Fábio Cavalcante to discuss the topic "Second Degree: Reflections and Ideas for Those Who Want Dual Certification." Watch the recorded webinar here!
3- How to choose an institution for a second degree?
Choosing a good educational institution to pursue your second degree can be a major challenge. According to the 2020 education census, there are 2.608 higher education institutions in Brazil.
There are many possibilities in your education, but you need to pay attention when choosing the right institution, because offering a degree program does not guarantee quality education.
It is extremely important to pay attention to the institution's performance indicators, such as its scores from the MEC (Brazilian Ministry of Education) and ENADE (National Student Performance Exam). You can also research the faculty and testimonials from current and former students to get an idea of how well-prepared students are when they graduate.
If you've decided to pursue law as a second degree, a great indicator is the number of students who pass the Brazilian Bar Association exam. The OAB recognizes institutions that demonstrate a high level of quality in legal education.
IDP , for example, is one of the 161 institutions that received the OAB Recomenda Seal . We are an educational institution that, for over 20 years, has offered academic and professional excellence to students.
4- Is it worth pursuing a second degree?
If you are looking for a career change or any of the goals we listed above, the answer is: YES! However, this decision needs to be made carefully and with thorough research.
Planning should be the foundation of any career, and this is no different for those who wish to pursue a new degree. After all, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your goals in order to chart the best path to success.
Firstly, for those who have already made this decision, one of the advantages of pursuing a second degree is having the opportunity to perform their current duties with greater expertise.
Another important factor for those who choose a second degree is the possibility of achieving leadership positions and standing out professionally.
If you are interested in pursuing a second degree in Law, download our Course Guide to learn about the professors, our facilities, and the course curriculum.
What did you think of the tips? Have you decided if you're going to pursue a second degree? Tell us!