Get a Job or Pursue a Master’s Degree? Things to Consider before Making a Decision

Education is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets everyone needs to achieve success in the future. This is especially true in today’s modern era, where the job market is becoming increasingly competitive compared to the past.

To achieve a great career, your loyalty, hard work, and performance won’t suffice. Indeed, education plays a significant role.

With this reality in mind, many employees, both the novice and the veteran, unsurprisingly have to make a tough decision when they are at a crossroads: whether they should pursue their career or further their education, for example, by doing a master’s degree.

No option is worse than the other. Each has its pros and cons. To make an objective decision, several factors must be considered based on the actual conditions and needs of everyone.

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Pursuing a Master’s Degree

If you prioritize education, pursuing a master’s degree is the right choice. There are some pros if you choose to pursue a master’s degree first.

First, a master’s degree can provide added value that will help you build a better career path. It comes with many other benefits.

Second, with a master’s degree and additional responsibilities, you can expect a higher salary than employees with a bachelor’s degree.

Third, by pursuing a master’s degree, you can maintain or reignite your enthusiasm for learning, which may have been fading due to your busy work.

Fourth, you will have a bigger chance of getting a scholarship. This is because some scholarship programs have a maximum age limit. In other words, you are more likely to get a scholarship if you do a master’s degree at a younger age.

Fifth, you will have the opportunity to occupy certain positions that require a master’s degree. For example, C-level positions or the board of directors.

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Sixth, a postgraduate study is a higher level of education that you must take first if you want to get a PhD degree someday.

Lastly, doing a master’s degree will help you deepen your understanding of your discipline. So, it will help you develop your personality and character in the professional world.

Prioritizing Your Job 

If you prioritize experience, pursuing your career first is the right choice. There are some pros if you focus on working first.

First, prioritizing your job helps you determine which master’s program to take in the future because your work experience will help you figure out what to study later.

Second, your work experience can be a strong point in applying for a master’s study at a well-known or reputable university. This is especially true if you’re an undergraduate with an unsatisfactory grade. Your relevant work experience will obviously be very helpful.

Third, your work experience relevant to a master’s program you plan to take can add to your experience while studying as a graduate student.

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For example, if you choose the Master of Finance program, your work experience as a finance officer can help you with studying finance at the university.

Fourth, by prioritizing your career, you will have the opportunity to save the money needed to cover the costs of taking a postgraduate study someday.

Those are some pros of prioritizing a master’s degree and pursuing a career first. Each option has its pros, depending on your background, actual conditions, and goals.

In addition to personal factors, the company executive also plays a role in supporting their employees to continue their education. That’s why you should choose the right company to work for.

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When applying for a job, you need to check that the company has a positive work culture and a clear career path. Choose a reputable and credible company in the industry, such as PT Serasi Autoraya, or SERA for short.

In operation since 22 March 1990, SERA is a leading transportation and logistics company in Indonesia. An Astra Group company, SERA, regularly hires new employees to fill in certain positions.

To date, SERA has been providing talents with opportunities to occupy several positions in the companies under its corporate umbrella.