Life Master's degrees - Page 3

Discuss Thrower · 06-04-2014, 12:45 PM

Who has one (or many)?

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

Was it worth the time and money?

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

planetdoc · 06-04-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Who has one (or many)?

1 master's along with a doctorate degree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

~ yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Was it worth the time and money?

probably not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

master's doesnt prevent me from working in other fields b/c I have a doctorate as well. That being said, I am somewhat limited to healthcare field...though I invest/own in other areas.

mr. tegu · 06-04-2014, 02:51 PM

I would strongly disagree that life isn't about being happy.

**lewdog** · 06-04-2014, 02:57 PM

I have a Master's in communication disorders. I work in the field I have my degree in. My bachelor's was no where near related to this field. While the out of state tuition was expensive, in my field I could have found a job in any part of the country BEFORE graduation. And I did just that with choosing to live in Phoenix and I had my job lined up 2 months before I graduated. Since I am "specialized" with this advanced degree there really isn't another line of work that I would be doing in another field.

**Rain Man** · 06-04-2014, 03:05 PM

I tend to think of a master's degree as a focusing force. Ideally, you get your undergraduate degree and go out and work and figure out what you like and what you don't like and who has the cool jobs that you really want. Then you get a master's degree that will help you move into that area by giving you a foot in the door.

In real life, I think people get a master's degree for one of the following reasons:

1. The reason above.
2. To move up at their current job (usually more for qualifications than for skills, but hopefully both happen).
3. Because they don't know what else to do.

The third reason is not great. You can argue that it's better than working a dead-end job, and maybe that's true, but probably only for broad degrees. Getting a specialized master's may not be worth the cost if you're not really thinking about a specific career.

**ChiTown** · 06-04-2014, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confused

I'd bet my left nut that my Harvard MBA has gotten me further in life than anything you could fathom.

**ChiTown** · 06-04-2014, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I would strongly disagree that life isn't about being happy.

Life is all about WHATEVER makes you and your Family happy.....it can't just be about money

**lewdog** · 06-04-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Life is all about WHATEVER makes you and your Family happy.....it can't just be about money

Agreed but there is a great sense of happiness that can come with financial security, especially if you are the main provider for the family. It's not that my wife and I make a lot either. And it's not that I need the money for a bunch of toys because we are very frugal, but knowing we can pay our bills and any extra expenses that comes up is a good feeling. Maybe not happiness but just security I suppose.

**Anyong Bluth** · 06-04-2014, 03:42 PM

a couple, and a Doctorate. Need to borrow one?

**bevischief** · 06-04-2014, 03:44 PM

Only if you plan on staying in the same field and company you are with.

Discuss Thrower · 06-04-2014, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

a couple, and a Doctorate. Need to borrow one?

Already having enough trouble finding jobs that hire HS diploma / GED holders with my awesome bachelors degree from a supposedly well-regarded college so no.

**Anyong Bluth** · 06-04-2014, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

Agreed but there is a great sense of happiness that can come with financial security, especially if you are the main provider for the family. It's not that my wife and I make a lot either. And it's not that I need the money for a bunch of toys because we are very frugal, but knowing we can pay our bills and any extra expenses that comes up is a good feeling. Maybe not happiness but just security I suppose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Life is all about WHATEVER makes you and your Family happy.....it can't just be about money

As a comedian once said wisely,

"Sure, money can't buy you happiness. But it can buy a jet ski. And, I've never seen anyone in my life driving one without a ****ing stupid happy ass grin stretching ear-to-ear across their face."

**Rain Man** · 06-04-2014, 03:50 PM

Anyone who says that money can't buy happiness has never done a regression model to isolate its impact as an independent variable.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-04-2014, 03:56 PM

MA in Lit.

I've taught college for the last seven years. At various points I strongly considered going back to get my Ph.D.

Last fall I finally realized that my reticence came from my dissatisfaction with the evolution of college from a place of higher education and the pursuit of knowledge to a business concerned primarily with churning students through and jacking up administrative pay.

Consequently, while I'm still teaching, I'm also attending school full time, getting my pre-reqs knocked out so I can start a program that will eventually lead to be becoming a Nuclear Pharmacist.

I still love teaching, but I hate all the other bullshit along with it. My plan is to adjunct somewhere for a course a term once as an addition to my daily job. A labor of love instead of working in a job whose purpose I feel is eroding.

planetdoc · 06-04-2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

a couple, and a Doctorate. Need to borrow one?

I'm actually toying with the idea of doing an online law school. I've always been interested in law, and I figure its something I can study on the side (maybe 1-2 courses per semester). Many states would allow me to sit for the bar exam, and be licensed if I pass.

I'm not planning on getting it to work in law, but I think it would be helpful as I transition away from private practice and move toward an administrative role.

Discuss Thrower · 06-04-2014, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

MA in Lit.

I've taught college for the last seven years. At various points I strongly considered going back to get my Ph.D.

Last fall I finally realized that my reticence came from my dissatisfaction with the evolution of college from a place of higher education and the pursuit of knowledge to a business concerned primarily with churning students through and jacking up administrative pay.

Consequently, while I'm still teaching, I'm also attending school full time, getting my pre-reqs knocked out so I can start a program that will eventually lead to be becoming a Nuclear Pharmacist.

I still love teaching, but I hate all the other bullshit along with it. My plan is to adjunct somewhere for a course a term once as an addition to my daily job. A labor of love instead of working in a job whose purpose I feel is eroding.

One of the professors who wrote me letters of rec refused to help if I was applying to an English or law program.

06-04-2014, 12:45 PM
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3256869	Master's degrees Who has one (or many)? Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study? Was it worth the time and money? Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?
Posts: 42,687

06-04-2014, 02:51 PM	#32
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $2001300	I would strongly disagree that life isn't about being happy.
Posts: 24,052

06-04-2014, 02:57 PM	#33
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $1931900	I have a Master's in communication disorders. I work in the field I have my degree in. My bachelor's was no where near related to this field. While the out of state tuition was expensive, in my field I could have found a job in any part of the country BEFORE graduation. And I did just that with choosing to live in Phoenix and I had my job lined up 2 months before I graduated. Since I am "specialized" with this advanced degree there really isn't another line of work that I would be doing in another field.
Posts: 45,566

06-04-2014, 03:05 PM	#34
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3348491 VARSITY	I tend to think of a master's degree as a focusing force. Ideally, you get your undergraduate degree and go out and work and figure out what you like and what you don't like and who has the cool jobs that you really want. Then you get a master's degree that will help you move into that area by giving you a foot in the door. In real life, I think people get a master's degree for one of the following reasons: 1. The reason above. 2. To move up at their current job (usually more for qualifications than for skills, but hopefully both happen). 3. Because they don't know what else to do. The third reason is not great. You can argue that it's better than working a dead-end job, and maybe that's true, but probably only for broad degrees. Getting a specialized master's may not be worth the cost if you're not really thinking about a specific career. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,252

06-04-2014, 03:42 PM	#38
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9689340	a couple, and a Doctorate. Need to borrow one? __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,914

06-04-2014, 03:44 PM	#39
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	Only if you plan on staying in the same field and company you are with.
Posts: 27,731

06-04-2014, 03:50 PM	#42
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3348491 VARSITY	Anyone who says that money can't buy happiness has never done a regression model to isolate its impact as an independent variable. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,252

06-04-2014, 03:56 PM	#43
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	MA in Lit. I've taught college for the last seven years. At various points I strongly considered going back to get my Ph.D. Last fall I finally realized that my reticence came from my dissatisfaction with the evolution of college from a place of higher education and the pursuit of knowledge to a business concerned primarily with churning students through and jacking up administrative pay. Consequently, while I'm still teaching, I'm also attending school full time, getting my pre-reqs knocked out so I can start a program that will eventually lead to be becoming a Nuclear Pharmacist. I still love teaching, but I hate all the other bullshit along with it. My plan is to adjunct somewhere for a course a term once as an addition to my daily job. A labor of love instead of working in a job whose purpose I feel is eroding. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825