If you’re considering investing a few years of your life studying for a Masters, you may want to first ask whether or not employers value such […]
If you’re considering investing a few years of your life studying for a Masters, you may want to first ask whether or not employers value such a qualification. James Donald finds out.
What is the point of a Masters degree? It’s a lot of work, a lot of expense, a lot of effort and a lot of sleepless nights – you want to be sure you’re going to benefit at the end. The QS Top Grad School.com masters and PHD applicant survey 2009 questioned the study motivations of over 3,000 candidates, asking them what they expected to get out of a graduate degree. Over 70% said they wanted to undertake further study as it would help to improve their employment prospects. It seems that prospective postgraduate candidates believe they will not only land a better job, but progress faster up the career ladder with an MA next to their name.
Whilst this may be true for some graduates, Steve Icampo, Manager of Worldwide Staffing at Amphenol Corporation, sounded a note of caution for those who believe a Masters will be a passport for future success. “You should not assume that education will get you to where you want to go; what will get you there is you.”
Icampo says anyone contemplating studying for a Masters should be armed with two things. Firstly, work experience. “I would hope that candidates have worked a bit before they make a decision,” says Icampo. “The further you go with education, the more specialised you become – so you really need to make sure that the course is for you. I have seen young people make mistakes, and that can be really discouraging for them. A Masters is a major investment and it will determine how you will be perceived in the market place.” Icampo says candidates should use their time in work to plan for the future and to work out where they want to be in years to come – that will make it easier to choose the right course to achieve those goals.
Icampo says candidates should also research where they want to work once finished. “Ask yourself, what project do you want to be involved with? You have to be able to capitalise on your course, and show the market place that you have something that people need. You won’t know what that is unless you find out for yourself and sometimes the only way to do this is by working.”
The second thing Icampo believes potential graduate students should have before they make their course choice is passion for their subject. “If you’re not passionate about what you are doing, you shouldn’t do it.”
Icampo believes that school and course choice will become much easier once a candidate has thought through their decision. “You could end up going to a small school with an expertise that is highly regarded, so make sure you research both the school and the department’s reputation.” For career prospects, Icampo says if candidates have thought through their decision, finding a job at the end should be easy.
Amphenol is a S&P 500 company involved in making connectors and inter connectors for high speed data. The company is the second largest maker of connectors and has 85 facilities in 30 countries. Icampo says that recruiting is often done locally, but once someone has joined the company it is very easy to be noticed, despite the company’s size. “There are plenty of opportunities to shine. In this industry it is impossible to say with any certainty where the industry will be in ten years time, so the company relies on people who are happy to work in flexible environments.”
Hannes Vedin is HR Senior Consultant for Capgemini Sweden. Over 75% of the company have a Masters degree and 7% a PhD. “There is a big difference between a bachelors and a Masters. I find, and I don’t know why, that people with a Masters have much more maturity in their work. It is much easier for them to use their knowledge and to switch their knowledge into practice.” Vedin says he has noticed a big difference in the quality of the Masters around Europe thanks to the Bologna Accord. Capgemini Sweden is involved as a consultant company with IT and management and the company recruits through networking, contacts, searching databases, ads on the internet and their website.
“The Masters definitely gives you an advantage but we are also interested in finding the people who have the right ambition and the right attitude – as these can be just as important as the Masters qualification,” he says.
About QS
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About the QS World Grad School Tour
The QS World Grad School Tour offers a unique opportunity for potential graduate candidates to meet admissions officers of the world’s top universities face-to0face at venues around the world. Candidates can register for free at www.topgradschool.com. Now in its 10th year, the Tour will be visiting 61 cities in 37 different countries in 2010.