Why did you go back for a Master’s?

18 comments

1. Hey,

   I graduated with undergraduate degree in Archaeology in 2013. For the past few years I’ve been working in a museum, and although I’ve enjoyed it trying to get anywhere is a nightmare.

   I decided to change field (to building conservation) last year at the age of 36. I’m now 37 and halfway through my part time MSc. I’m glad I did it, it’s been challenging but I needed the stimulation and challenge.

   I’ve already been interviewing for jobs related to the subject and I’m getting loads of experience. To that end, I’d say it was definitely worth it for me. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

2. Okay, old person here, when I started out in the working world after two years I felt I was doing something that was challenging on one hand but limiting in other ways, primarily using my mind (I had become a middle school teacher).

   So in order to bring about a career change I went back to school for 2 years to get a Master’s – I was single and had not family at that time, the degree program was very demanding (with independent research and a thesis), it took a lot of time.

   I can say 100% worth it, because it led me to where I am today – even combining the teaching skills I learned in the prior career.

   Curious though why you’d find digital communications a dead end for you, however that may be for a separate post.

3. I went back when I was 29. I had quit a job, got a new one for 6 months until they downsized, then found another job that I got fired from due to politics! all within ~2 years. I realized my ability outweighed my B.Sc degree, so I went back for the masters.

   My career is taking off now, I’m in a dream position with lots of options with this position and more options once I feel like moving on. School was really hard, being the older person in the dept had pros and cons. But in my field, they don’t accept you unless they know they can make you pass- even though I had to retake calculus 3 and PDE’s, 13 years after my last calc class, it was totally worth it!

4. 1. I felt unfulfilled in what I was doing
   2. Pivot
   3. Yes, I am in a much more fulfilling position (therapist)

5. I need It.

   I’m a teacher.

   I want to be a principal, at least here in my country You need a Master’s degree for that….so I kinda need It. Or my career will stagnate.

6. I’m old (41) but just want to share some opinions.

   1. I had nothing better to do. I was 23 with an English BA working as a glassblower.

   2. Progression. I went for an English MA and then taught college english for a while.

   3. No.

   What masters are you looking at?

   If you’re in digital communications, I highly recommend you pick up some technical skills and develop a portfolio instead of pursuing another academic degree. I’m not gonna just glibly say “learn to code,” but if you can increase your value as a swiss army knife kind of person, you can open some doors.

   IMO only get a masters degree if these all make sense:

   1. There is a good job market already but this masters degree will unlock great jobs that are currently out of reach.

   2. this degree will still open doors in other industries in case you want to try something new

   3. it’s not going to be a terrible money hole that will take you years to escape

7. I did an MBA right after college since I had an opportunity to do it for free.

   It’s worthless without any work experience and I feel like I have hardly used it. Maybe if you’ve started a corporate career it’s good to do on the side.

8. 1. I did my initial education because it was wise to do. It opened many doors. But it wasn’t really giving me information about stuff I was interested in. So I decided to learn something that actually interested me.

   2. Progression. Everything is progressing even if you pivot. Your knowledge of digital communications is never going away even if you add a secondary degree. You’ll always add to what you already know. You’ll become a hybrid.

   3. Not sure yet, but yes, learning new things, getting new people in your life is always worth it in a way.

9. Late 40’s here: is it too late to get something professional?

10. I wasn’t happy with the options I had with only a BSc in Mathematical Science. An MBA was my back up plan while I waited for a lengthy government hiring process. I was accepted to the MBA program and had to commit before I got an offer from plan A. Then after the MBA I was worth more than the plan A job could offer to start so I pursued a slightly different path, still in government but with an economics focus rather than technical. Overall I think it worked out, I now meet the education requirement for any senior leadership position. I still get to use my technical skills in this role, and it’s actually a unique and valuable thing where I am at.

11. Honestly? I was aimless, couldn’t find a job, and was trying to buy time for the economy to improve (this was around 2013). I heard there was no tuition in Finland so I said why the hell not?

    Don’t regret the experience but I don’t use my degree whatsoever.

12. I didn’t go back yet, but I have often considered getting an MBA. I am capped at my job, you just can not advance into management without an MBA (or other relevant graduate degree). I haven’t done it yet, and am just kind of dealing with my job being very comfortable and low paying, but beneficial to society and easy, so… yeah.

13. 1. I was offered the opportunity (fully funded) through my employer and it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

    2. Going into it, I expected it to be a linear progression of my career, but it turned out to be something that had helped me pivot and gave me new skills that I wasn’t even aware of that were valuable.

    3. It was definitely worth it in the long run. It sucked ass for a very long time in the middle of the degree, but I am a completely different person after completing it. I’m very glad I said “yes”

14. 1. My primary reason was degree saturation. Almost all jobs require a bachelor’s at this point. To stand out, and “future proof” myself against jobs that require graduate level education.
    2. Degree progression. Undergrad in Computer Science, Masters in Software Engineering.
    3. 100% worth it – with lots of caveats. My employer covered tuition, I didn’t have any children or a mortgage, and I went within a year of obtaining my undergrad. Now, in my 30s, wife, kids, mortgage – I don’t think it would be unless I was changing careers. Missed promotion opportunity, experience, and salary, plus the huge commitment / time sink if you’re going part time are all reasons I wouldn’t go back at this point.

15. I did an MBA finishing right around your age. I went back because is had gotten laid off along with 299 other people because the company execs failed to actively manage the business. Build build build is a stupid way to run a business. It has been good for me. But my career history is eclectic. But it has added to my flexibility and ability to do many different things including owning my own business.

16. More earning potential perhaps?

    I paid $15k for my Master’s, and the new job paid me more than two times of that amount per year.

17. got a BS, MS and Doctorate. Going back for another MS in my 50s for a career shift. never to late.

18. Adding a question for myself, is it possible to get accepted to a Masters program (CS) after being in industry for ~4 years, but having a <3.0 GPA (Comp. Eng)? Any tips on this?