Is it worth doing a Masters degree?

billyhead

I am a civil servant for the last 15 years with a degree, 2 grad diplomas (IT & Mgnt) and a diploma and cert in other subjects. I am of 2 minds as to whether I should do a Masters. I would get a full reimbursement of my fees once I pass the exams. The subjects in the 1st year of the masters I was contemplating doing are similar to the subjects I completed in one of my grad diplomas but unfortunately you cant get exemptions. In order to get promoted in my job you need to pass aptitude tests so having the qualification wont guarantee me a promotion. It would take 2 years to do the masters part-time and was just wondering for feedback as to whether its worth the effort.

BabySlam

I think you should do it. Why not.

boobar

I think the way you've written your post suggests that you're leaning towards not doing it.

Do you have a major interest in the subject?

Can you commit 2 years to it?

Are you ok with the fact that it won't guarantee you a promotion?

every individual takes something different from a course, at any level

if you have an area in mind and have an interest, thats two good signs

if you think it will further your career, thats another

if you think you can manage it time, ability and cash wise then thats a fairly strong case

midnight city

If you have not been successful with aptitude tests and intend on staying in the civil service then don't waste your time and money on a masters.

kaltz

While it won't guarantee promotion, it may give you an edge if you get past the aptitude tests. I just started a masters and 2 recent interviews asked me about my Degree and the masters course.

Manach

I would say it is worth it, depending on the Masters. In that one close to one's primary degree would allow a greater degree of understanding of the subject or that one say is tangenteral (say an Arts if one has a STEM degree) would allow a sense of perspective that would aid in judgement. Thus getting a masters is a good move, both for career and personal progression.

billyhead

Thanks for all the replies folk. I am in the same grade the last 11 years (junior management role) and having no joy at recent aptitude tests for promotion. It would be great if it helped with promotion but the interviews for the CS are all competency based so having it will have no effect on my promotional chances. I am still 2 minds as to what to do. The last thing I want to do is waste my time doing one.

Elessar

Getting an education is never a waste of time. Would you be interested in getting the masters for yourself rather than the job? Nothing wrong with that. Similarly I am completing an honours degree part time (4 years) partly because it will help with jobs but mostly because I want to, I never did the college thing when I was younger and I want achieve a third level education for myself. I love it and learning for learnings sake is one of the best things you can do IMO.

Zipppy

billyhead wrote:

The last thing I want to do is waste my time doing one.

Further education is never a waste of time...it will develop you and your skills which you can apply in a non work as well as a work context.
A lot of further education is teaching you how to approach matters in general rather than the subject itself..
I'm a public servant...debating a PhD at moment...it will never really get me further promotion...but it will develop me as a person and influences how I approach other people, work and life.....
you should do further study in an area you're passionate about...

youll need to get through the aptitude tests, granted, but the interviews and even the shortlisting for further progression in most public sector jobs now would make a masters a requirement (not just a luxury imo) once youve cleared the first hurdle

Skommando

I'd do it if you were genuinely interested in the subject and have the time to devote to it, but doing it primarily for potential promotion purposes, to tick a box, as a means to an end, is always a poor reason to do a Masters, and won't improve your skills / knowledge / thinking much.

Dave0JV

I would think that the worth of the master's entirely depends on what you want to get it of it and your reasons for doing it in the first place. You mention that doing the master's won't guarantee you a promotion, if your reason for doing it is to get promoted then it may not be worth it. Then again, it may help you a lot with whatever it is that you do, which could lead to a promotion down the line.

You need to keep in mind that a master's is a commitment, especially over two years and it will be hard work on top of your regular job. In addition, you'll be footing the bill until after you pass your exams. If you genuinely have an interest in the source material, don't mind the extra workload, and are prepared for the scenario that you might not get a promotion from it, I'd say go for it

Jodotman

Depends really what your planning to do the masters in.

billyhead

Jodotman wrote: »

Depends really what your planning to do the masters in.

Msc in Business and Management. I have a graduate diploma in Management already.

Turtle_

You don't have to stay in the public sector..? Masters could help you get a better job in the private sector without the aptitude tests.

The only thing I'd question is the benefits of that masters when you already have that diploma. Is there incremental benefits? Maybe some other masters would provide better additional skills.

billyhead

Turtle_ wrote: »

You don't have to stay in the public sector..? Masters could help you get a better job in the private sector without the aptitude tests.

The only thing I'd question is the benefits of that masters when you already have that diploma. Is there incremental benefits? Maybe some other masters would provide better additional skills.

Thanks Turtle. I intend to stay in the job security and pension. Unfortunately I would not get exemptions from some modules in year one with my grad dip.

evolving_doors

Make it your aim to score high in the aptitude tests first if they're coming up soon! Most folk think that it's purely based on innate skill and technically it's supposed to be. But when candidates start thinking like that, they get a bit blasé and score low for the want of not trying hard enough or not practicing.
I know of 3 acquaintances in the public/civil service who went into serious practice mode when those tests came up. From quick googling, I think it's the cut-e tests they might be using, so there's loads of prep courses online as they use them in the UK too. I've no affiliation BTW but there's probably prep courses/grinds you can do in Dublin or online.

Keep in mind that your work might suffer by spending your spare time slogging through a Masters... not so much day-to-day stuff, but long term stuff like general socialising/taking on extra duties at work/positive disposition... some bosses look for that, some place absolutely zero worth on something like a masters. I spent a lot of time and energy on a Masters ... glad I got through it and all that, but wondering if it was a waste of time (career wise!), as the original boss who recommended I do one left, and the replacement had 'a different outlook on qualifications'.

Without getting too paranoid, have a look around your department and see how others got ahead (or are trying to get ahead). Maybe check out linkedin pages if you can do so anonymously.

But if you're happy to potter away at your job and haven't many money pressures then do the Masters for it's intrinsic worth, you will gain a lot of awareness and critical thinking from it.

Alternatively you could take up a musical instrument or learn a language.

cronos

I did the MSc in Management of Information Systems at Trinity. To be honest I think it was a total waste of time. I'd only consider an MBA now if I was to ever go back.

I think you should consider more relevant certifications in the areas your interested in specifically. Like a PMP or stuff like that...

dub45

billyhead wrote: »

Msc in Business and Management. I have a graduate diploma in Management already.

I think its important to ask yourself if you are going to enjoy it?

As others have said its a big commitment and it is important to be interested in the subject. I studied after I retired so there was no work pressure but I found it a great experience - there are lots of skills to be gained from doing a Masters - especially in the thinking and research areas. You will hopefully meet interesting people from other areas of life who will also broaden your thinking and life experience.

I certainly wouldn't recommend doing it just for the sake of doing it. Also have you tried speaking to any students from the course you are interested in?

psnKOB79LFC

When accountancy firms are taking on staff with masters to be trainee accountants one has to debate the value of masters nowadays

Turtle_

psnKOB79LFC wrote: »

When accountancy firms are taking on staff with masters to be trainee accountants one has to debate the value of masters nowadays

They're taken on with CAP 2 exemptions, only one set of exams left to do.

billyhead

Unfortunately if I left the CS after getting a masters I would have to refund the department. There is a clause contract you must sign before you under take it which seems reasonable. The registration for the masters course is this Friday and I am still undecided. I better make my mind up prompto:D

Aglomerado

billyhead wrote: »

Unfortunately if I left the CS after getting a masters I would have to refund the department. There is a clause contract you must sign before you under take it which seems reasonable. The registration for the masters course is this Friday and I am still undecided. I better make my mind up prompto:D

I think you may not have to refund the department if you leave after a specified amount of time. Check it with your local HR or training officer...where I work it's having to stay one year per academic year after qualifying... i.e. if it's a 2 year MA and you graduate in 2017, then you have to stay until 2019 or pay them back.

Hollister11

After I get my BSC in Computer Science, I'm contemplating doing a MSc in web technologies. The only decision is to do it in 1 year full time, or over 2 years part time while working. Part time would also be useful fees wise, as you pay the 8.5k over 2 years, instead of 1.