Is doing a master’s degree course abroad really worth it? If you’re an Indian student, you will be likely mulling over this question while awaiting your bachelor’s degree exam results. The job market is full of candidates with undergraduate degrees—will a good master’s help you stand out in the crowd? Is it the answer to finding a well-paying, fulfilling job? Or is it just a matter of two or three extra letters after your name that mum can boast about to her neighbors?
The money question
The most important factor in decision-making here is the financial question. The tuition fee for a postgraduate course depends on the reputation of the university/school, the program’s standing, and its duration, and could …show more content…
But a master’s right after graduation is a good option for bright students to gain new perspectives on life: for example, an MBA student can gain direct experience through internships and also build a network of professors, career services personnel, and fellow students.
However, don’t imagine that recruiters are waiting for you to show up with your PG degree. Postgraduate job-seekers should keep in mind that master’s degrees make sense in some fields and not much in others. For example, a graphic designer would be hired not for her PG degree but rather for her portfolio. However, a medical postgraduate would be seen as a much better candidate than a medical graduate.
A master’s degree may also impact salary differently in different fields. For example, a biology graduate with a PG degree can earn double the salary of one without, but an arts student with a master’s only 25 percent more.
Recruiters say that regardless of the field, young job-seekers or employees should look at what seniors before them did—if PG is apparently rewarding in their line of work, then that is the way to go. But even if PG degrees are not too common among your senior colleagues, you should still consider alternative training programs or apprenticeship to hone your …show more content…
Some experts ask whether, instead of handing over substantial fees to graduate school, it isn’t better to receive salary checks and gain precious work experience at the same time.
Rosemary Guzzman Hook, executive recruiter at Hook The Talent, Inc., sees value in work experience, but says experience is even better when it comes with a master’s degree, which, she says, will show recruiters that the candidate has practical knowledge and also theoretical expertise.
Those who discount the value of full-time, on-campus PG courses point out that there are a number of online and part-time courses that allow employees to study master’s without taking a break from work. Some online courses are self-paced and suitable even for those who are struggling to balance 40-hour work weeks with personal life. Is your school good