Has anyone studied for a Masters...?

[graduate]

Hello to whoever is reading this!
I'm just looking for some advice really. I graduated last year with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Management and I was talking to some people the other day who recommended I should study for a Masters Degree in the future.
I would just like to know if anyone here has studied for a Masters? Where did you study? What made you choose your course? What was it like? Where do you hope it will take you in your career?
Sorry about all the questions but I would like to find out a bit more in this subject and the best way is to ask those who have been there!
Thanks x

[Dan Salter]

Hi there graduate.
Where did you study your BSc in animal management?
Im currently doing a degree in Countryside Management at Hadlow.

Im curious too about a masters? im not even sure how long it is but i think its one year? on one specialist topic or subject.....One of our "Animal management" lecturers strangely did her masters on " The nutritional value of the cucumber"......hmmm? i think i would have struggled to get a word count of one after typing "Zilch"? god knows how she stretched it to a thesis of 16,000 words or whatever it is? ha ha

Sorry i cant be of proper help but i look forward to reading some proper advice in this thread?
Dan

[eeyore]

i did a masters in countryside management at birkbeck college, university of london by distance learning. It is definitely career enhancing and worth doing one day ... however i would suggest that a more important focus for some one who has just graduated should be getting some experience together.

another advantage of doing your masters later is that many employers will fund or part fund it

[ciuk]

Dear Graduate,

I have to say that studying for my MSc was the best thing I ever did! I studyed the MSc in Wildlife Management and Conservation at the University of Reading and it was a great course...

It has a great balance of practical conservation and science AND you get to do a four month research project of your choice. I did mine at the Warburg reserve in Oxfordshire (BBOWTs flagship reserve) and studied orchids for 4 months! What more could you want?

What makes an MSc good is that your are working with like-minded people and there is a totally different work ethic to an undergraduate degree - it's much more professional as everone is passionate about conservation.

I have to confess that I do have a vested interest in the Reading MSc because I now work at Reading as a lecturer. I teach the MSc students GIS for wildlife managers, plant conservation and conservation genetics. Having said this the MSc at Reading is an excellent course and its part of the Centre for Wildlife Assesment and Conservation (Untitled Document) at Reading.

If you want more info go to the website: MSc Wildlife Management and Conservation Postgraduate taught courses and study at the University of Reading - University of Reading

If you go to the links page on my website (Conservation Issues UK) I have links to the main Universities that do ecological or conservation MSc courses.

Hope this helps,

Ciuk

[ripplingwave]

Hey!

Im planning on doing a Msc in Conservation and Environment once I finish by Bsc (am 2nd year at mo) I think its worth doing as competition for the type of work I want to do is HUGE!

I also think volunteering is extremely important as just studying isn't enough for most employers!

Good Luck!

[svenrufus]

Horses for courses.
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 got my degree, not a great one due to enjoying myself at Uni too much but have not really had any problems in getting a job or at least no greater problems than I have seen Masters graduates experiencing too - the bottom line is as Eeyore says, experience counts.

I know plenty of other people without Masters who have been very successful in their fields.

Also, think about what constitutes 'success' in your mind - is it moving up through the ranks to more senior positions? In which case be prepared to not get to do much of the work you enjoy and came into your career to do. Or is it about doing the job well, and enjoying that 1/3 of your life to the fullest extent possible? In which case be prepared to hang around in lower paid jobs, and not be able to afford some of the things you might otherwise want and see others ostentatiously showing off. Choices, choices....

As it happens, I have been considering a Masters, but not in an area that has anything to do with my professional career. Having a degree in Ecology and Conservation, I have been thinking about studying Applied Economics, out of personal interest, no other reason.

Listen to the advice, but only you will know if it is right for you or not - just make sure you are honest with yourself about your reasons either way.

[JennyS]

Does anyone know where I'd find details of what distance learning courses are available in Conservation and Environment? And (probably vital first question) would I need science A levels to apply for one? I want to try and do something with schoolkids re wildflowers, conservation etc but I've no qualifications in that area... advice and suggestions very appreciated.

[Ipso Facto]

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.

[GME]

Originally Posted by eeyore

i did a masters in countryside management at birkbeck college, university of london by distance learning. It is definitely career enhancing and worth doing one day ... however i would suggest that a more important focus for some one who has just graduated should be getting some experience together.

another advantage of doing your masters later is that many employers will fund or part fund it

Have to agree here wholeheartedly. I finished my degree and quite frankly felt the need to earn some money. Now 10 years on (Gosh that makes me feel old all of a sudden!) I am going to start a Masters in September. Not only did clocking up some relevant work experiences actually help me to decide what specific area I would like to further my studies and knowledge in but my employer is now going to fund it for me (about £4500 in total I think!?). Serious expense saved That and you are also getting paid whilst you complete it!

Hope this helps and good luck

Gareth

[Ipso Facto]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Does anyone know where I'd find details of what distance learning courses are available in Conservation and Environment? And (probably vital first question) would I need science A levels to apply for one? I want to try and do something with schoolkids re wildflowers, conservation etc but I've no qualifications in that area... advice and suggestions very appreciated.

Do you have an outdoor education centre near you where you could perhaps ask your questions?