Hi, I'm a fresh graduate and still pondering whether to pursue Master.

I like lab work but my lecturer told me once that doing research is all about the efforts you give in which means you need to sacrifice lots of time in it. I'm thinking that if I really choose to pursue Master then sooner and later need to get a PhD as well.

So, I hope that I can get some feedback and opinion from you guys.

Oh and from my final year project experience is that you'll like go to the lab early in the morning and go back "not on time" like you have to korek more and more time for your project. I never seem to hate holiday until I'm doing my project because that means that the lab will close and no progression.

So is it like going to PhD like you probably won't have time for anything else and just to your work?

Life as a Doctoral Student? Some find the balanced lifestyle and some are struggling. At the end of the day, you will get the ratio of those with the similar experience to those without (e.g. 1 = 50/50). Making a wise decision is essential to career planning. Therefore, what is your threshold to clear or confirm your doubt?

Honestly, at the first place, why do you want to further your Master? I personally think that the only reason for one to take up MSc and PhD in Science is to go into the lecturing line. Other than that, it's almost non beneficial.

Having the same doubt too. For me, pursuing Masters and eventually PhD is somehow like a target for me to achieve in my life. From what I heard, life of postgrad students is most likely dependent to the research you will involve in, and also yourself to balance it the most

It is good to have something else (other than a career) to look forward to, and to work on. I believe that makes a person well-rounded.

The problem with graduates nowadays is they'd prefer to continue their study even without knowing what they actually want to do. In the end, having a PhD or a Master may not be beneficial anymore as it may not be related to their future job

Based on your findings, Why do graduates nowadays prefer to continue study?

1. unsure of what they want to do-thus furthering study because they are not ready to face the working world

2. naive; thinking that the higher you go, the better it'll be without considering IF this is what they'll be doing in the future.

3. study till the highest level; then only search for job without considering if that job requires this kinda qualification?


I personally never encourage my students to take this path. One should know or at least have some idea of their pathway before pursuing further. I myself took 2 years off after my Bachelor to identify exactly what I'm into, then only pursue my MSc. Took me 3 jumps of jobs in 1 year to find out.

We call this group of people "anti-visionary"... these people tend to go down the rabbit trails.

Does this [statistics] have something to with "Culture"?

This post has been edited by Critical_Fallacy: Oct 9 2013, 10:10 PM

When you said you took 2 years off, did you mean you were actually working in industry, and finally found your true calling in pursuing a MSc? Or did you mean you did not do anything at all, then spent a year with 3 different jobs, before pursuing your MSc?

Were the 2 years well-spent, in your opinion? And are you advocating your students to follow your path, or not?

I must be a confused old man for failing to comprehend what you wrote.

Meaning I do intend to pursue my MSc after my Bachelor. However, I've decided to work for 2 years just to (1) gain some working experience in the industry (2) see what exactly I want to do (3) identify which area I would want to further into (4) do I really need to take up MSc.

My third job-which is a tutoring job, answers everything. After tutoring for about 2 years I applied for a MSc relevant to my teaching. It was very well spent of course because without it, I wouldn't even know my direction.

I'm not advocating them to follow my path. Just an advice to them IF they do not know what to do next. Why do something if you are unsure if it will be useful to you in the future?

This post has been edited by LoveMeNot: Oct 10 2013, 11:38 AM

Thanks for elaborating and glad hearing you have found a pathway for yourself.

The point I would like to make is that: who amongst us actually could tell exactly what we want to do, if not after some trials and errors? If life is often that straightforward, it wouldn't be as interesting.

Yeah understood. I was a little lost too right after my degree. And that's why working is the best way to find out isn't it? I was job hopping among 3 industries within a year to know. If indeed I'm alright with my 1st job, my MSc will not really be beneficial at all already. They won't even pay higher for it.

I suppose every individual has unique reasons for pursuing MSc. Some pursue it because they like teaching (like you), some do it for monetary returns (as you had expected), some do it to further their knowledge, some do it to hone their research skills, some do a field that was never their forte, some do it because they want to stick to their comfort zone on campus, some do it because it is a natural progression from a BSc.

There is no right or wrong in wanting to pursue higher education. It is like asking why get a Mercedes, when a MyVi would suffice to bring you to point A to B, without examining the intrinsic values people attach to driving a Merc.

You got your points there. Indeed different individual has their reasons. I guess mine is applicable for those who kinda have their mind set and wants to move forward rather than dilly dallying. Also, money play an important role too. I personally don't have that much money to do it just to further my knowledge.

And thus, most of the time I'll have a long chat with my students just to understand better their reason before I advice them. Mine is not always right.


ps: you should add on this reason why people wanna pursue their Master these days : peer pressure; seeing everyone is doing it and you are left out.

Study master or phd no future. Better start career early. In sales line when u start after degree u already own a house when ppl finish master/phd. When they start buy house u already finish paying for your house.

You can have a career while pursuing postgraduate too..be it in the academic or industry line

u mean part time study? Depend on what your master/phd is about. If MBA and stuff sure ok.

But if scientific then alot ppl drop out from what i seen real life experience. Its too tough to be doing master and phd part time and take along time that u just give up naturally

One of the limitations with this reasoning is that it does not explain Why do so few sales people get rich?

In fact, WintersuN's argument seemed to rely too heavily on time comparison. It also seems that WintersuN's understanding of the postgraduate study is questionable. Like LoveMeNot, postgraduate study can be the foundation to a great career. WintersuN's interpretation of "Study master or PhD no future" tends to overlook the fact that postgraduate studies can help one's career in lots of ways, such as specialising in the field of study, increasing your salary, gaining access to industry and forging invaluable contacts, etc.

Its difficult to explain to ppl who never experience before cos if u experience study masters/phd beforeand look for job in the corporate you will know. If continue as lecturer in academic field ok la..