re: What value does a graduate degree represent to you

I'm in physics, so going on to graduate school is pretty common. Even if you're not in academia, many research positions in industry expect some sort of graduate degree.

I'll be starting an experimentally focused MS program next fall (fully funded), but I'm not sure if I want to do the long haul for a phd.

My sister has a masters. She is a school teacher in North Carolina and it limited her options.

Got my Masters at LSU. I got a cheap masters because it was in a field that was not worth a big spend And that was all dependent on networking. My undergrad didn’t have this field so that’s why I did it.

It’s basically a year and a half to two years of not having to be an adult kind of like an extension of college. And no one I mean never in an interview has anyone been even moderately interested in it.

It’s a math problem, if your job tells you to get it for a good raise or pays for it, do it. If you get scholarships and don’t have to pay for it, do it.

If you will rack up insane debt for no return other than feeling good about your name on a diploma then skip it.


Did MBA program at Ole miss, was completely paid for. No brainer in my specific case even though I’m in a role currently where it doesn’t give me a pay increase. It probably will be useful if I ever get considered management position. Would’ve skipped it if I had to pay for it.

Promotion and salary increase. Working on my post-grad degree now.

I have 2 of them... 1st one was basically pointless but allowed me to delay growing up. Second one was PA school which was worth it.

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People who don’t have a graduate degree always say it isn’t worth it

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Yeah but in my field I'm right. Not going to find many ChemE's with a Masters in ChE.

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Accounting?

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Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Truly depends on what field you are in.

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Anyone here get a masters degree?

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I do. It's done shite for me. In fact, it's messed up my life more than it's helped...sort of. I messed up my life, but that's a whole 'nother story.

I got an MA in English Rhet/Comp with the intention of going on to get a PhD. Was on track to get it but life happened.

I've been told by multiple people that I'm overqualified and over-experienced to get an entry level English job (tech writing, copywriting, social media, etc). These jobs fetch at most $40k/year with little benefits for those without direct experience and many fresh graduates fully capable of doing the job are 22, with a bachelor's, and just fine making sub-$40k knowing they'll build their careers over time. So why even consider the guy who has a salary history of $50k+ in the classroom?

And speaking of the classroom, academia is oversaturated, so community college jobs are being filled by those with PhDs and most high schools that call me first want to know what sport I can coach.

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If you we’re in favor of getting one/have one how much would you be willing to spend to earn it?

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I spent $0 on mine besides the paycut from having a full-time, tenured teaching job. I was on fellowship, so they technically paid me. I supplemented my stipend with teaching music lessons. Further, my wife got a job at a school that had a good stipend and the cost of living in the college town was significantly lower than Birmingham.

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What value does a graduate degree represent to you

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I think it's highly beneficial for many fields. I grew more in my graduate studies than I did in my four years of undergrad. It's incredibly satisfying delving deep into your field of interest, and it's made me a more intelligent critical thinker. However, unless it has a direct path to a higher paying position, I don't think it's worth it.