With a degree or diploma under your academic belt, deciding your next steps and whether grad school is right for you can be a lengthy process.

With 44 graduate certificate and fast-track programs, Durham College offers graduate students the chance to advance their careers. The program typically takes eight months to one year to complete and, according to Louise Stiles, the career services outreach coordinator at Durham College, is much less expensive than pursuing a master's degree, and they can be viewed by employers as very focused in regards to employment.

Opportunity to specialize

The social media program at Seneca College was introduced in 2013 and is a full-time graduate certificate offered only two days a week allowing students to balance work, responsibilities, and school. Students enrolled in the program have diverse post-secondary backgrounds from marketing, finance, sociology, music, to political science, all with the common goal of specializing in this new career field, says program coordinator Bhupesh Shah.

Businesses are looking for social media gurus who can harness the power of social media by listening to customers, publishing engaging content, and advertising to reach new audiences, says Shah. It is taught by faculty who also work in the industry, so what students learn is current and relevant.

Career advantages

A graduate certificate can offer more than just another piece of academic achievement. It can also present long-term career benefits, like higher salaries.

In general, six months after graduation, Seneca students who complete a graduate certificate earn an annual salary of about $6,300 more than those who complete a two-year diploma, says Shah.

With a certificate, students are able to enhance their industry skills, meet the licensing requirements of a given occupation and, most importantly, increase confidence and marketability by providing the students with expertise and focus, and change a broadly focused degree (such as a degree in liberal arts) to a razor sharp career-focused package, says Stiles.

She also makes it clear that many current grad certificate students are already well into their careers. Returning to school, their goals are to simply add fresh skills to their repertoire or previous education.

The grad school decision

Deciding on whether or not to go to grad school takes more effort than just a flip of a coin, and Stiles suggests it may be beneficial to speak with your school's career advisor or counsellor. In addition, taking the time to research the programs that will benefit career advancement is crucial since industry expectations are different. These services are free. Ask questions, job shadow, or have an informational interview with someone in your chosen field. Tap into the resources available to you, so you can make very educated decisions.

Determine what you like to do and where you'd like to be, adds Shah. Jobs in high demand fields are highly competitive so you want to think about what you can bring to the table that differentiates you from other job applicants. An eight-month graduate certificate brings options.

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