From Master’s to Leadership: Career Growth Paths for RKC Graduates

∙ By ∙ No Comments

Earning a master’s degree is a powerful step forward in any professional’s career. For graduates of the Robert Kennedy College (RKC), this achievement is more than just academic—it’s a launchpad to leadership. With world-class, flexible programs offered in partnership with prestigious UK universities like the University of Cumbria, the University of Salford and the University of Gloucestershire, RKC equips students with not just credentials, but also the global mindset and strategic thinking required in today’s competitive workplace.

But what comes next after graduation? How do you translate your master’s degree into meaningful career advancement? Let’s explore the potential career growth paths for RKC graduates, from post-degree roles to C-suite leadership.

1. Specialist to Strategic Leader: Climbing the Ladder

Many RKC students enter their master’s programs as experienced professionals—mid-level managers, team leads, or technical experts. The knowledge and global exposure gained through their studies often act as a catalyst for:

  • Promotions within their current company: Employers value advanced education, particularly when combined with real-world experience. Graduates often move from middle management to senior or executive positions.
  • Cross-functional transitions: A manager in operations might move into strategic planning, or an IT specialist might pivot into digital transformation leadership.
  • Increased leadership responsibilities: Many alumni are given the opportunity to lead larger teams, manage high-stakes projects, or take on international roles.

2. Entrepreneurial Growth: From Graduate to Founder

Several RKC alumni go on to start their own ventures. With modules focused on strategy, finance, innovation, and sustainability, graduates are well-prepared to:

  • Launch startups or consultancies in areas of expertise
  • Innovate within their current organization (intrapreneurship)
  • Use their academic projects and dissertations as prototypes or market research for business plans
Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

The flexibility of RKC’s online learning platform allows students to work on real-time business challenges during their studies, making the transition to entrepreneurship more seamless and grounded.

3. Sector Switching: Breaking Into New Industries

The interdisciplinary approach of RKC’s programs—covering law, business, marketing, AI, and international relations—opens doors to career changes. Graduates can shift to new sectors such as:

  • Tech and Digital: Transitioning into roles like Product Manager, Tech Strategist, or Digital Transformation Lead.
Photo by Ardian Pranomo on Unsplash
  • Sustainability and CSR: With increasing global focus on ESG, graduates with knowledge in sustainable business practices are sought after.
  • Education and Non-Profit Leadership: RKC alumni often take leadership roles in academic administration or NGO management, leveraging their global perspective.

4. International Careers: Becoming a Global Leader

Because RKC has a truly international student body, many alumni build or enhance global careers post-graduation. Benefits include:

  • Cross-border job opportunities: With UK-recognized degrees, graduates are eligible for jobs across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
  • Cultural fluency: Working with peers from around the world during the program enhances intercultural communication—essential for global leadership roles.
  • Remote leadership capabilities: The online learning model prepares graduates for leading distributed or remote teams, a growing reality in the modern workforce.

5. Academic and Research Paths: Contributing to Knowledge

For some graduates, the master’s degree is a stepping stone to further academic pursuit. Many RKC alumni go on to:

  • Pursue Doctoral (DBA or PhD) programs in their areas of interest
  • Publish research in journals and present at conferences

Take up adjunct faculty or lecturing roles in universities worldwide

These roles not only offer personal fulfillment but also establish credibility and visibility in the academic and professional community.

Alumni Success Stories: Inspiration for the Next Step

Many RKC graduates have shared their success stories on the college’s alumni platform and LinkedIn. From leading change at Fortune 500 companies to transforming public-sector organizations, the RKC community is filled with professionals who used their education to create impact.

Whether you’re a current student, recent graduate, or considering applying, take inspiration from these leaders. The path from master’s to leadership isn’t a straight line—but with dedication, strategy, and the right education, it’s achievable.

Your Degree is Just the Beginning

Graduating from RKC with a master’s degree is a significant accomplishment. But it’s also the start of a new journey—a journey toward leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your rise in your current company, switch industries, or become an entrepreneur, your time at RKC has laid a strong foundation.

Take the next step. Define your goals. Leverage your network. And most importantly, believe in your ability to lead.

DILO – A Day in the life of an RKC Student – Nicola M

∙ By ∙ 2 Comments

Through the #DILO series of blog posts, we have been bringing you insights into our master’s students’ lives, sharing their thoughts and opinions, ups and downs, and key learning points during their online studies. The whole idea behind this series is to make you aware of the realities of online studies and help you in decision making.    

Here are a few insights and some words of wisdom that one of our online master’s students had to share from her own experience. 

Which Uni are you studying at?  

University of Cumbria

University of Cumbria

Which programme did you choose?  

MBA in Educational Leadership

How did you plan to study each module, and what was the reality? How many hours did/do you have to put in each day/or in a week?  

I took one module per term – based on 10 hours study per week, except for a mid-term and end-term assignments when an additional 10 hours over the weekend was necessary.


In addition, I devoted an extra 4 hours per week, every week towards my assignment, except for the final term when I was studying on an average of 3 – 4 hours per day to complete it.

What part of the day did/do you find most suitable to study? (e.g. early mornings, lunch break, evenings, weekends?)

I usually studied evenings and weekends to fit around my full-time employment.

How did travelling impact your ability to study?  

Travelling did not impact my studies at all.

How were you able to interact with peers and/or professors given the time differences?  

Yes – emails was the common means of communication for me.

How much time did you devote for each assignment?  

I typically spent recommended 20 hours/week for each assignment.

Emails was an effective means of communication

What does a typical day as an Online Masters’ student look like for you?  

I would goto full time work as normal every weekday, return and eat supper. Then I would study for 3 hours each evening. At the weekend, I spent at least one full day studying, with extra reading for about 3 hours on a Sunday.

Any advice you have for students to better plan their studies.  

My advice will be to read as much as you are able to before you get into the module as then the time for each element becomes very short and you are expected to read and learn information very quickly in order to respond on the group message board.

It is much better to prepare well and not leave anything until the last moment – remember sometimes ‘Turn It In’ can take 24 hours to respond!

If you have been thinking of joining a master’s programme or have had this personal goal to gain a higher degree, now is the time! Take the valuable advice from our current students, gain from their experience, add your own unique study strategies, and make your own success stories! I would love to feature you one day on our college blog.  

Chat LIVE on WhatsApp with one of our Education Advisors for more information on all the programmes we offer, application process, and for information on discounts we might be offering at this time.