Further study vs furthering your career

How much difference does a year make? Weighing up the pros and cons of doing a Master's degree

Hi, I’m in my final year at university studying English literature, and I really want to go on to do a Master's. This would purely be because I enjoy it and not because I see myself making a career out of it, but I’m scared of being a year behind everyone once I do think about careers. Should I be more focused on getting on the career ladder? I have no idea what area I want to get into.

I don’t think that being a year behind everyone else is a problem. With many working years ahead of you (I won’t break your heart with the fine details of just how many), a year is really a drop in the ocean.

The real problem, though, could be spending a lot of money on a Master’s degree purely for the sake of not knowing what else to do. At the end of the year you could potentially be in the same situation as you’re in now and a few thousand pound more in the hole.

I definitely wouldn’t discourage you from doing the MA or MSc that you are clearly passionate about, but there is more than one way to do it. Have you considered doing the Master’s part-time and working part-time as well? You could try and get some work-experience in industries you’re potentially interested in to try them out for size at the same time. That way at the end of the MA, you’d have both the qualification and experience that you had wanted and also a clearer idea of where you want to go with your career, and be financially more stable through studying part-time and working.

If you decide to go ahead with the Master's full-time, I’d still recommend getting as much work experience as you can in your spare time - you’ll have to work hard to find some! Future employers wouldn’t penalise you for doing an MA – far from it – but they will want to see a career focus and some practical work skills too.

Good luck!

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