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Thanks for the replies. I am applying for academic advisor/student services types of jobs.
So, do you think a MA degree is better than practical experience in the field?
Why?
For what it's worth, the academic advisors at the major universities in the states I've lived in all had Masters degree in Higher Ed or something related.
I have a Bachelor's degree and a graduate certificate in my field. I keep hearing from people that what is keeping me from finding a job is that I don't have a Master's. However, I have plenty of experience in the field.
What do you think?
Is the Master's the new Bachelor's? Or is there a chance for me?
(My field is higher education - student services).
Thanks!
Education is one of those fields that require a MS just because it is EDUCATION. The MS can give no real skills, but they just want to see that you have one. They want people that work in higher education to be well educated.
I think it is kind of stupid, because there are a lot of degree mills out there that will accept you and eventually pass you as along as you pay their insanely high tuition. Not to mention the insane amount of cheating that goes on, you don't know who really earned their degree and who cheated their way through it.
My friend has a Masters and all the student debt to go with it. After a few years of looking for work he now works at the post office delivering mail where someone with only a high school diploma can work along side him.
I have worked at a university's career services department and observed that nearly all of their job listing "preferred" a master's degree. By preferred, they mean they will throw your resume out if you don't have one. Admin assistant? Need a graduate degree or 20 years of experience. Tutor coordinator? Grad degree. Driving instructor? Grad degree. Etc.
Student Advisors are required to have a masters, preferably in College Student Personnel.
My friend has a Masters and all the student debt to go with it. After a few years of looking for work he now works at the post office delivering mail where someone with only a high school diploma can work along side him.
I suggest OP try to find a job that relates to her major. If you can't find a job now you might not be able to find one when you have that masters degree. Employers want degrees and experience. Try to get the experience. Try a YMCA and become a youth counselor, etc.
My friend has a Masters and all the student debt to go with it. After a few years of looking for work he now works at the post office delivering mail where someone with only a high school diploma can work along side him.
Everyone knows a guy who...
Anecdotes like these are meaningless when giving advice. Your friend and the choices he made have no bearing on the potential experience of the OP. Your friend gave up on looking for a more lucrative employment. That was a personal choice. It has nothing to do with obtaining a Master's degree or future prospects for Masters degree holders.
OP, after briefly speaking to one of my friends who works in higher ed about how to get a job in that area, I was told that at big universities masters degrees are basically a must, and that if you're looking into grad school you should make sure the program you pick has an internship.
Many programs encourage internships, but there are some where it's a required part of the curriculum in order to graduate. According to my friend, those are the schools you want to apply to because they apparently have more connections and the internship is always a way to line up a job before graduating.
An MA for that? Are you only looking at the higher-level universities? I have an undergrad related to this field as well, and regular colleges/community colleges do not require an MA for this. Maybe it's worth 'down-grading' employment locations rather than spending all that time and money for an MA.
I have a Bachelor's degree and a graduate certificate in my field. I keep hearing from people that what is keeping me from finding a job is that I don't have a Master's. However, I have plenty of experience in the field.
What do you think?
Is the Master's the new Bachelor's? Or is there a chance for me?
(My field is higher education - student services).
Thanks!
There is always a chance but I believe your occupation prefers a graduate degree. What does the job descriptions state?
We're approaching the point where nothing less then a graduate degree is becoming required (I have one myself as well) for many jobs, which in my opinion could probably be done with an associates degree. Some of the salaries out there for jobs asking for a graduate degree are comical to say the least.
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