FIVE tips that can help you select the right specialisation for your master’s degree

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It is always great to have options when making a significant, life-changing decision. And generally, the more options we have, the more accurately we can choose what suits us. On the flip side, if you are unsure what you want, too many choices might confuse you.

What will be your choice? Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash.

When I did my master’s degree in business, even though there were a few specialised degrees at that time, most of us just stuck with the big four generic specialisations – marketing, HR, finance and IT.

A master’s degree in business can be a versatile and valuable degree that can help you advance your career in various fields and industries. However, choosing the right specialisation for your master’s can be a challenging and crucial decision, as it can determine your future prospects and opportunities. There are many factors to consider when selecting a master’s specialisation, such as your current and future career goals, interests, strengths, market demand, salary potential, and personal growth.

The following are FIVE tips that can help you make an informed decision when choosing a specialisation for your master’s degree in business.

1. Assess your interests and strengths. You should choose a specialisation that aligns with your passion, curiosity, and aptitude. You should also consider your previous academic background, work experience, and skills and how they can help you excel in your chosen field.

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2. Consider your career goals and aspirations. Choose a specialisation that matches your vision, purpose, and ambition. It would help if you also thought about the roles, responsibilities, and challenges you want to take on and the impact you want to make in your industry or society.

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3. Research the market demand and trends. Choose a specialisation with high demand, growth potential, and relevance in the current and future job market. It would be best to look at the industry outlook, the competition, the opportunities, and the threats in your chosen field.

4. Evaluate the salary and return on investment. Choose a specialisation that offers a lucrative and competitive salary and a good return on your investment (a master’s degree from a reputed and globally recognised university can be expensive). You should also consider the cost, duration, and quality of the master’s degree program and how it can affect your financial situation and career prospects.

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5. Seek advice and guidance. Consult your mentors, peers, professors, or career counsellors who can offer insights, suggestions, or feedback. You can also read online reviews, blogs, articles, or forums, where you can find helpful information and opinions from other business degree students or graduates.

These are just a few tips that I believe will help you make an informed decision when choosing a master’s degree specialisation that works best for you. Please comment below if you have any other suggestions or tips to help our readers make a more informed decision.

Explore several specialised master’s/bachelor’s/PhD degree programmes that Robert Kennedy College offers through exclusive partnerships with top British universities. You could also get in touch with our team of admission advisers on WhatsApp, who can have a look at your profile and give you some advice.

If you have already made up your mind, click here to apply.

Understanding the Dynamics of Organizational Behavior: Key Concepts and Applications

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In the fast-paced world of business, success often hinges not only on the products or services a company offers but also on how effectively its people work together. Organizational behavior (OB) is a multidisciplinary field that examines the behavior of individuals, groups, and structures within an organization and how they influence its performance. In this blog, we’ll explore the fundamental concepts of organizational behavior, its importance in today’s workplaces, and practical applications for enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Key Concepts of Organizational Behavior

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  1. Individual Behavior:
    • Personality: Every individual brings a unique set of personality traits, values, and attitudes to the workplace, which influence their behavior and interactions with others.
    • Perception: How individuals interpret and make sense of their environment affects their decision-making and behavior within the organization.
    • Motivation: Understanding what drives individuals to perform at their best is crucial for managers. Concepts like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory shed light on employee motivation.
    • Learning and Development: Continuous learning and skill development contribute to individual and organizational growth. Concepts such as reinforcement theory and social learning theory are relevant here.
  2. Group Behavior:
    • Team Dynamics: Effective teams are essential for achieving organizational goals. Concepts like group cohesion, roles, and norms influence team performance.
    • Leadership: Different leadership styles and approaches impact group dynamics and organizational culture. Transformational, transactional, and servant leadership are some examples.
    • Conflict Resolution: Conflict is inevitable in any organization. Understanding its sources and effective conflict resolution strategies can promote positive outcomes and strengthen relationships.
  3. Organizational Structure and Culture:
    • Organizational Structure: The formal framework that outlines roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships within an organization. Structures can be hierarchical, matrix-based, or flat, each with its advantages and challenges.
    • Organizational Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape the behavior and attitudes of individuals within the organization. Culture influences employee engagement, decision-making, and organizational performance.

Importance of Organizational Behavior

  • Improved Employee Performance: Understanding individual motivations and providing a conducive work environment can lead to higher employee engagement and productivity.
  • Effective Leadership: Strong leadership rooted in an understanding of organizational behavior principles can inspire and motivate teams to achieve common goals.
  • Enhanced Decision Making: Awareness of cognitive biases and perception can help leaders make more informed and rational decisions.
  • Better Conflict Management: Organizations that foster an environment of open communication and respect can effectively address conflicts and promote collaboration.
  • Adaptability and Innovation: Organizational behavior principles help organizations adapt to change and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Applications of Organizational Behavior

  • Employee Training and Development Programs: Investing in training programs that focus on leadership development, team building, and conflict resolution can enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Performance Management Systems: Implementing performance management systems that provide regular feedback, recognize achievements, and align individual goals with organizational objectives can improve employee performance.
  • Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Promoting diversity and inclusion fosters a culture of respect, creativity, and innovation within the organization.
  • Change Management: Understanding the psychological aspects of change and involving employees in the change process can increase acceptance and reduce resistance to change initiatives.

Organizational behavior plays a vital role in shaping the culture, performance, and success of an organization. By understanding the individual, group, and organizational dynamics at play, leaders can create a work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement. Investing in organizational behavior initiatives not only benefits employees but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of the organization.

Keeping Track of Your New Year’s Resolutions

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Now that January is done and dusted and the excitement of the new year is long in the past, it is time to look back on all the resolutions we made in the heat of the New Year’s hullaballoo. Most of us would have made many frivolous resolutions, but sprinkled among these resolutions, I am sure there are some vital resolutions and goals that have to be achieved. Click here to learn how to choose resolutions that matter.

One of the reasons why people fail to keep their resolutions is that they don’t track their progress and results. Tracking your resolutions can help you stay motivated, focused, and accountable. It can also help you measure your success and celebrate your achievements.

There are many reasons to keep track of your goals, such as:

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  • Providing clarity and refinement of your goals.
  • Monitor the progress of your goals and enable you to adjust your plans to achieve your goals.
  • Keeping track of the goals you have achieved will provide you with the motivation needed to achieve your pending goals.
  • Helping you analyse your successes and failures and learn from them to improve and grow.

But how can you best keep track of your resolutions?

There are many ways to track your resolutions, depending on your preferences, needs, and goals. Here are some of the most common and effective methods:

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  • Write down your goals and resolutions: The step might sound basic and not something you should be reminded about. But how many of us put pen to paper (or enter it into our laptops/phones/tablets) and note these so-called “important” resolutions? You can use notes to write down your resolutions, action plans, daily or weekly tasks, progress, challenges, insights, and reflections. You can also use it to express your thoughts and feelings about your resolutions.
  • Use a planner: The devil is in the details. People who use a calendar know how useful it can be to increase efficiency and keep track of progress. The organiser/calendar is a tool that can be far more useful than reminding you of your next meeting – it helps you keep track of the goals you have to achieve, how far you have gone and how much further you have to go to achieve your goals. Create a calendar that contains every milestone on the road to your goals, and break them down as much as you can – week/month/quarter (however long you can go). You can use it to schedule tasks, set deadlines, mark milestones, and plan rewards. You can also use it to visualise your progress and see how your resolutions fit into your life.
  • Data and Charts: As professionals in the modern workforce, we are all familiar with data analytics, spreadsheets, charts and graphs. Is there a better tool to use than something you already know? A spreadsheet or a chart is a powerful way to track your resolutions. You can use it to create tables, graphs, or diagrams that show your data, such as your inputs, outputs, indicators, or metrics. You can also use it to analyse your data and see the trends, patterns, or correlations related to your resolutions.
  • Use the power of technology: Can you even imagine a life before smartphones and apps? Life has become so much easier and fun because of smartphones, but a smartphone without apps is just a regular phone. Apps make everything we do so much easier and, in some cases, fun. An app or a tool is a convenient and fun way to track your resolutions. You can use it to record your actions, track your outcomes, set reminders, receive notifications, and access your resources. You can also use it to gamify your resolutions and earn points, badges, or rewards for your achievements.

Have I missed any points you feel can help someone stick to their resolutions? I hope the few ideas shared here can help you stay on track and achieve your goals in 2024. How were you planning on tracking your resolutions? Comment below.

If your resolution for this year is to do a master’s degree or learn something new, then explore the number of specialised master’s degree programmes offered by Robert Kennedy College through exclusive partnerships with top British universities. Or, if you have already made up your mind, click here to apply.