One of the big decisions a lot of graduates have to make following their degrees is whether they want to do a master’s degree. It’s undeniable that a master’s can open a lot of doors, and will advance the higher learning experience. You will probably have ideas about what you want to do when you graduate college, and a master’s could be in the running.
There is no rule to say you have to do a master’s degree, and, similarly, it is not something that just anyone can do. You need to understand what is involved in the process of getting a master’s, as well as determining whether or not it is worthwhile. These are some of the things to consider when determining whether getting a master’s is necessary.
It helps with career progression
It is undeniable that a master’s degree can help you a lot when it comes to career progression, however, it largely depends on the career you’re looking to go into. In fact, some professions and fields require applicants to have a master’s degree. However, this is not always the case, and it does depend. But, you have to be careful, because a master’s degree can actually harm your chances of applying for a job at entry level.
Develops a personal passion or interest
One reason a lot of people choose to do a master’s is because it’s a great way of developing a personal interest or passion. In fact, a lot of people who choose to do a master’s may do so because of the fact that they have a vested interest in what they are studying. It’s a big personal commitment, and very intellectually challenging, but this is something that you need to be sure about.
Do you have the money?
However, before you commit to studying for a master’s degree, you need to be aware of the fact that it can set you back a large amount of money. Sure, there is the possibility of grants to help subsidize this degree, but, for the most part, you will need to fund it yourself. Forbes estimates that some master’s degrees can cost around $200,000, so this is something you have to be sure you want to commit to, and you need to have the money to do so as well!
Time commitment
There is also the issue of time commitment as well. Doing a master’s is adding more time to your degree, and will mean you spending more time in higher education. You’re looking at at least another two or three years committed to your studies, and you have to decide if this is something you feel strongly enough about to commit to.
Getting a master’s degree definitely looks good on paper and is certainly something that can help you improve career prospects as well as earning potential. However, there are also drawbacks to doing a master’s, so you need to be sure this is right for you. While a master’s can certainly be useful, it is not the be all and end all, and this is certainly something to consider.
