I was considering doing my Masters Degree before entering the
work field. Is this a wise venture? A lot of people have been telling me that starting work after your bachelors is a better idea. My concern is that I may never get my masters degree if I get a job after my bachelors
degree. Salary and demand wise, will I be in a better position if I get a job after my Masters or if I get a job with my Bachelors degree and possibly pursue a Masters in the evening? My major is Computer Science.
P.S. The other responses helped a lot. Thanks!
From: Khurram Nizami, Junior, Oakland University
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Khurram -
The answer to your question is contained within you, not me. You
must first answer the question: "Why a Master's?" If it to enhance your opportunities for current or future job choices, you would probably be making a mistake. If you have a Comp Sci undergrad, there will be
relatively few jobs that will require the M.S. Is it for the prestige? Then you will certainly have the fortitude to complete the degree part-time. Is it for the future career growth? Again, completing the degree
part-time evenings will provide you with much greater career opportunities (since you will have greater work experience) than if you completed a strictly academic Master's.
There are very few professions that I
recommend going on immediately for the Master's--only those where the barriers to entry are significant at the B.S. level (such as Psychology). Otherwise, you are wisest to take the courses at night on a part-time
basis. Sure, it will take longer, but the real need for the Master's level learning will be further out in your career anyway. Plus you have the dual advantage of applying you schooling in your work and your work in
your schooling. And many companies will provide you with tuition reimbursement (my employer, Keane, offers $4000 reimbursement--possibly not all-encompassing, but a definite help in meeting tuition expenses).
Will
you complete the degree? That depends. On whether you have the tenacity to stick with the program...and whether it is truly worth the extra time. If you decide to cancel part-way into the program because you can see
that your time would be better spent, you have just saved yourself the up-front time you might have otherwise spent in a full-time program.
No easy answers on this one. The real answer will come from you.
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