Quote:
Originally Posted by svenrufus  If you want to and you think it will help your career, do it, but if you are not sure where you want to be working in 10 years time, perhaps even in what exact field, leave it for a bit and think it through very carefully before you do it. The more you specialise in study, the narrower the field in which you can use your qualification - and if you're not doing it to learn something you can use, are you really sure you want to study it? ...
... I know plenty of other people without Masters who have been very successful in their fields. |
I don't think that you can be as specific as svenrufus has suggested here. Some are lucky enough to know exactly what they want and can focus their education accordingly: most (like me!) are less organised or is it just luck when you find the employment you've always dreamt about?
Initially I didn't do a Masters: I did a PhD in engineering and not animal or environmental management; it was only a few years ago that I went back to to an MTh in applied theology ... because I wanted to and by then I had the time and space to do it.
My thoughts for what they are worth, if you want to do a Masters, do it(!) and probably do it now. If you leave academia it is difficult to go back particularly if you have started a new job, got personal commitments like payments for a car or, dare I say, started a family (as I did when I was still writing my thesis - I had completed 3 years research and nearly chucked it all away because I was under so much pressure with a new job, new home and new family. Do it because you enjoy it and find a place that has a good reputation for the subject you want to study but don't look on it as an increase in your future earning potential. Higher degrees may get you into an interview but after that you are on your own! When it comes to jobs you will find that people with higher degrees are up against those with ordinary degrees + experience and the playing field is pretty level for good candidates.