When people are struggling with this problem, they have already got a bachelor's degree and are at a crossroads to consider whether to continue their studies or get a job. Getting another diploma may bring higher salary, and early work experience may give you skills that you can't learn in college.
Of course, before making a choice, there are several factors to consider, so as to determine which choice best meets your needs, or whether it can bring you the greatest benefits in the long run. It is wise to consider the pros and cons of both sides, so that you can make the best decision.
Some factors to consider include the size of your study funds, the subjects or fields you want to study, the skills that study will help you acquire, your return on investment, and your perseverance and determination. First of all, whether you choose to continue your graduate studies or get a job directly, ask yourself why.
First, get a master's degree.
One of the key reasons for considering graduate school is that you will get a generous salary after getting this extra academic achievement.
Labor cost
According to Scholar Advisor, although people with higher education in some fields will get extra salary, there are still some employees with master's degrees who earn the same as those with bachelor's degrees, and in some cases even lower.
In 20 13, an analysis by the National Center for Education Statistics showed that occupations in business, finance and sales brought the highest salary premium to employees with master's degrees. In addition, the sales agents of securities, commodities and financial services have the highest salary premium, which is nearly 90% different from their peers without master's degree.
Learning cost
Although getting a graduate degree may bring you more income, you also need to consider the extra study cost.
First, determine whether you have enough funds to pay all the expenses of higher education. If your budget is insufficient and you still insist on pursuing this degree, you can consider applying for a scholarship or financial aid.
Some universities also offer the opportunity to work as teaching assistants to help reduce the financial burden. You can also consult your employer to see if they can bear part or all of your tuition in exchange for your continued service to the company.
Have an in-depth understanding of this subject
The goal of some postgraduate courses is to develop a deep understanding of this topic. In this case, evaluate whether learning will ultimately benefit your career, especially if your goal is to get a higher salary.
Some employers may attribute extra pay to specialization, but others will not. You also need to consider your enthusiasm for a course, because if you are not particularly interested in this subject, completing a master's degree may be a challenge.
Two. Join the labor market
Economic reasons may explain why you are not keen on reading more books.
You may still be paying off your previous student loan, or your budget is not enough to get a master's degree. One advantage of joining the workforce immediately is that you gain the ability to make money. It may not be as much money as you expected in your dream, but it may be enough to support yourself.
practical experience
Joining the workforce will make you start climbing the career ladder earlier. You begin to gain professional skills and experience, which may be beneficial to your future career. You will acquire these skills and experience earlier than those who spend two years or more to get a master's degree.
You may also get career development opportunities, which can be used to make up for the salary compensation that employees with graduate degrees may get. Another advantage of starting a job is that you have time to build personal networks. You will meet the right person who can help you achieve your career goals.
You can also assess in advance whether you really need to continue your studies to achieve your career goals and avoid unnecessary master's investment. As mentioned above, some majors do not mean extra degree compensation, because they may prefer a solid professional background. In this case, entering the workplace early will give you a competitive advantage. After all, not all skills can be acquired through learning.
professional accreditation
If you think that studying more may be good for your career development, you can look at those professional certificates that only focus on the knowledge or skills in the specific field you want to strengthen. Although it is not as expensive as graduate school, it can improve the skills you need.
In some cases, if you are considering further study in the future, work experience will actually give you an advantage. If you are in the business field, several years of work experience is definitely an advantage, because some MBA courses attach great importance to experience when considering applying for postgraduate courses.
Whether you choose to study or find a job, either choice can improve your professional quality. Only when pursuing the goal, choose the priority that suits you best, and what is a more cost-effective problem in the long run.