Masters Degree: Is It Worth It?

[dezinerite]

Before my undergraduate degree, I planned to study until I got a Masters degree.

One year into my undergraduate course I thought about how overrated it all was (getting a degree).

Here I am, almost done with the undergraduate course and I don't know if I should continue on to Masters.

I still think it's a little unnecessary but what do I know? Anyone here with a Masters Degree...is it worth getting or do you feel like you just wasted a few years of your life?

 

[Mike]

It was worth it, then again it wasn't.
It really depends on the field of study i would say. Mine was worth it, from an educational and overall knowledge standpoint, but in terms of what i'm doing career wise, i should have chosen a different track.

What's your field of study and where would you like to go in life?

M.

 

[yilduz]

Before my undergraduate degree, I planned to study until I got a Masters degree.

One year into my undergraduate course I thought about how overrated it all was (getting a degree).

Here I am, almost done with the undergraduate course and I don't know if I should continue on to Masters.

I still think it's a little unnecessary but what do I know? Anyone here with a Masters Degree...is it worth getting or do you feel like you just wasted a few years of your life?

I don't have one, but I want one - mainly because I think the title "Master" is the coolest, by far. "Master Yilduz," kinda catchy.

My wife's dad has a master's degree, and he seems to be very proud of it. I think it really just depends on you and the career path you want. If your ambition is to be a mechanic, a masters degree may be a bit more than what you should be looking for, but if you want to be a teacher, it couldn't hurt.

Also, most importantly, you need to think about what you want. Just go with what feels right.

 

[GF]

It depends on your field of study.

Since nowadays in order to land a job that pays well you need a college degree. Everyone competing for the job has a college degree. It's almost like a high school diploma nowadays.

The master's degree gives an extra boost.

For some jobs, a master's degree is the minimum requirement to apply.

 

[VisualArtistFrankBonilla]

Money?

I don't have a Masters, not even a BA (almost). My daughter went the next level (see below).
I would think a Masters Degree would depend on one of two things:
1) Did you get the degree in hopes of making that extra money you should be paid? I have heard of many people who have a Masters, who are unemployed, or make $35,000 a year. A lot of extra years were spent in school, for very little in more income.
2) Did you get your Masters because it was in a field you just love, are crazy about, or just want to help man, such as a doctor, nurse, teacher, etc.

I would think most people do it because the goal is to make more money.
My two cheap cents

Frank

 

[RageD]

If not for your career, then why not for your educational purposes? The more you learn, the more you understand how everything in the world connects and relates. I say go for it if it isn't going to sink you financially. Any type of knowledge cannot be categorized in "wasted years". This is because no one can take it from you, it's yours until you do. (Or God forbid have a disease like Alzheimers.) But God Willing, that won't happen. So knowledge is yours.

For example, if you're a construction man your whole life, by the time your 40 and your body is starting to wear down, you won't be able to continue your work much longer. However, a man with knowledge (the more vast, the better - you will earn many more people's respect which also helps in the prestigious job world if not for just the title alone of having the degree) will always have that. A lawyer (yes, I know; generic. But seems to be one of the best examples) can practice law, provided that he keeps updated on the law, until he is dead. He could be paralyzed even, but could still be a very successful lawyer making a good amount of money unlike the construction worker who depends on nothing but his body.

That's normally an argument just to go to college in the first place really :p But it holds true through all academic endeavors. So in my opinion, learn all you can and share it with others the best you can and make a difference in the world.

Hope that helps and wasn't too confusing (just about to go to bed :p about 12:13 AM here and got to wake up for work lol)

So with that I say good night and good luck in making your decision. When it comes down to it, whether you decide to take the courses or not to obtain the degree, I'm sure it will be the right choice

Cheers!

-RageD

 

[Anderson777]

Of course if you want to get Master degree in music or something like that, you shouldn't do this. But you it will definitely worth it if you get a master degree, as it will be more useful in your future career instead of being only a Bachelor.

 

[Keral_Patel]

I don't need a master's degree but yet I would love to have one.

It feels good to have a master's degree

 

[Alan Glennon]

Depends on the discipline, school, person, and circumstances.

 

[Keral_Patel]

I don't need a master's degree but yet I would love to have one.

It feels good to have a master's degree

How do you know this?

Because I don't have a degree and I don't need it in my career but I want it just for the sake of it, that is why I know this. :D

 

[mulligan]

Because I don't have a degree and I don't need it in my career but I want it just for the sake of it, that is why I know this. :D

Ok .. I'm baffled .. could you expand on your reasoning a bit more?

 

[Keral_Patel]

Yes sure I am master in that thing though.

First thing is I do not have a degree.
Second is I do not need a degree to be a full time webmaster.
Third is it would look cool if I had a degree and it was hanging on my wall where I sit.

Does it makes sense?

 

[holyroller]

I have a MSc in Information Technology and too be honest although it looks good on paper and to have the letters after my name, the course was pretty much useless. There was too much theory and very little practical stuff relating to real life situations. Also having previously completed an Economics & Marketing Degree I had issues with one of my tutors who frequently tried to apply his limited knowledge of Economics (and marketing) to Information Technology and did it extremely badly. He did not take kindly to me suggesting he was wrong, unfortunately I could not go against my beliefs in the subject and did badly in his exam (still passed, but he marked me down due to my differing opinion, which was of course the correct opinion :lol

My advice, do a Masters because you want to, not because you think you need it. If you have a passion for the subject, then yes, if not, perhaps leave it for a few years and see how things go.

 

[mulligan]

Yes sure I am master in that thing though.

First thing is I do not have a degree.
Second is I do not need a degree to be a full time webmaster.
Third is it would look cool if I had a degree and it was hanging on my wall where I sit.

Does it makes sense?

Ok .. so it's essentially 'cool' .. ie. not going to further your career .. help with job prospects .. etc

Do many prospective employers see where you sit?

 

[useless]

what is ur discipline ...it all boils down to that ....if ur studying social sciences or music or something similar thn i would nor personally not recommend a masters ...

i my self am goin for a masters as soon as i finish my under grad course . i am in a technical field(mechanical engineering) , so a masters will always show me in a better light, and the same is true for all engneering or even medical domains............... or if u want to get into research.......

 

[dezinerite]

Thanks a lot for your replies. My current discipline is New Media Design, if I decide to do Masters though, it'll have to be in the field of business (if it's possible). I just don't know yet if the years + money spent will be worth it.

My long-term ambition is to continue in the field of New Media Design, but not as a freelancer...more like a business owner.

I know quite a few people in my life who have successful businesses and they only have high school diplomas. I feel higher education can actually be a curse when it comes to dealing with real life situations, esp. if you become dependent solely on what's in the books.

Nick, tbh I think it's more impressive to achieve your goals in life WITHOUT a degree...it just proves how much you can do without much help.

 

[Mike]

Unless you're going into business consulting, where your degree matters to get a kick start, for your own business, i'd say you should be fine with a bachelors in economics. For media design, an associates degree should do fine, as your creativity and portfolio matter more than the degree on paper.

just my .2€

M.

 

[useless]

if u r determined to work for ur self , then u dont need a masters imho, u just need to make a solid plan for ur self and stick to it, and as u said ppl with high school diplomas have done a lot

 

[Hurley4540]

It certainly does not hurt to have one!

 

[Keral_Patel]

Ok .. so it's essentially 'cool' .. ie. not going to further your career .. help with job prospects .. etc

Do many prospective employers see where you sit?

I do not need to get employed as I am self-employed But I do all things for myself and that is why if I get a degree then it is good. If I don't get it then it isn't bad.