By Felix Rante
Competition for high-quality jobs is getting tougher, so it’s more important than ever to have the best qualifications possible. Sure, young billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Dorsey can drop out of university and still be successful but following in their footsteps would require an extraordinary amount of luck.
Studying for an MSc won’t be enough by itself to get you to their level, but it could be extremely rewarding in other ways.
It allows you to stand on the shoulders of giants
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants” said Sir Isaac Newton. Getting an MSc from a reputable school is exactly like this, as you’ll have an opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences and develop your knowledge more before entering the workplace.
You’ll have a better chance of getting the top job
Upgrading your qualifications and getting an MSc is a brilliant way to prove to potential employers that you have what it takes to work in a high-profile position. Not only does it demonstrate you can handle additional responsibility, it also suggests you can add value to their company. There’s a reason many of the senior managers at leading companies tend to have a master’s degree.
You’ll learn new skills and discover new areas of interest
One of the reasons I enjoy my MSc so much is that I’m constantly upgrading my skills and learning from experts. Rather than having to teach myself about different technologies, I’m learning about particular areas from a professional developer. This also improves my knowledge of different technologies and provides me with more options when it’s time to choose a career path.
You might work on something truly life-changing
Doing an MSc is intellectually challenging, but it’s worth it if you end up working on something that’s potentially life-changing. Who knows, you might even discover something so brilliant that you can afford to drop out of university altogether?
It’s a second chance to attend your dream school
Didn’t get into your chosen university at undergraduate level? Competition for graduate places at top universities is actually less intense so you might find you’re finally able to get into your dream Ivy League/Oxbridge study destination. Time to find out what you missed first time around.
An MSc could be perfect if you fancy a career change
If you’re reading this and it’s been a while since you left university, you might be feeling like you’ve hit the wall in your career. If that’s true, graduate school could be a great way to move into a different career. You might even find an MSc course you can do without having needed to study a relevant BSc first.
There are tons of interesting and industry-specific MSc courses available for you to take, so have a think about what industries you might like to work in and pick something that fits your goal.
MScs are demanding, intellectually challenging and (unfortunately) expensive, but they could be worth it in the long-run. Good luck!
Felix Rante is a Software Engineer and a part-time MSc student who likes travelling, photography and coffee.
Lead image: Southern Arkansas University (Flickr)