To do a masters after graduating in 2021

[imisshugs]

I am due to graduate from my degree in 2021. This year I did an internship in the area I would like to go into after graduation, but given the current economic climate and how the jobs market is likely to be when I graduate, would it be wise to "delay" for a year and start a masters in September 2021? It's not something I'd previously given serious thought to but I am now considering it as an option.

Hi! I'm in the same boat. I had my summer placement cancelled which is how a lot of people get their permanent jobs. Plus all this years cohort will probably be delayed in finding positions.
My plan is to apply for a job when I finish but if I don't have anything I'll apply for the masters late. Assuming I can of course I need to check that its actually feasible to do that.

My DS graduated this year (no ceremony obviously) and is now considering a Masters; hopefully the job situation may be a bit clearer this time next year.

I would never recommend a master's unless it lines you up and is necessary to go into a specific profession.

Funding for a Masters isn't readily available. How would you pay for it?

Is the Masters relevant to what you want to do?

I would if you can afford it.

I could afford it if I'm very careful this year.

The masters would be closely related to what I want to do; although my undergraduate degree is not directly related, the internship that I have just done and the masters course would be very relevant to my career aspirations.

Why wouldn't you recommend a masters @Bellesavage?

Friends daughter finished UNI in May/June and has already started graduate trainee job - on £40k.
Not necessarily her first choice of employer, but there are roles around.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay

What field? I am amazed at these people starting on so much - how are they getting those wages?

I have a masters and also teach masters courses so I would recommend one IF it is required to progress within a certain profession. For example, if it is accredited by a professional body and moves you up the path in that profession.

If you are doing a masters for employability purposes, to get a better job or land a job in a better place, I for would not recommend to do a broad masters if it's just an extension of your degree topic, no professional accreditation and is essentially just adding a year of study onto your UG.

If you are wanting to do a masters to extend your knowledge because you love the subject then of course, if you can afford it, you should do one.

I just think you should think very carefully about what it will give you on the other side and whether an internship or just a base level role in your field wouldn't put you in better stead.

This is such a different year and I'm not sure old rules apply as they did.

I was speaking to a Professor from Keele University a few years ago.
He said that he always considered a good 1st degree to be more beneficial than completing a Masters when applying for jobs.
I had told him that I was doing a Masters and his first comment was, "I hope you're not doing it just to raise your prospects of getting a good job" !

Luckily I wasn't !

@serenada - the degree was something science based, I think biochemistry, the job is in online retail

@KonTiki

What if you haven’t got a good first degree though? The levels have changed since I graduated 27 years ago.

Echoing what everyone else has said, it's an expensive way to spend a year and not necessarily improve your employment prospects. The job market could improve over the next two years, stay the same or get much worse. There are no guarantees that buying an extra year will be beneficial.

Do one if there's a specific career it would open up to you (e.g. librarian) or because you love your subject and want to learn more.

Of course you can always talk about the skills you got from a master's in job applications but it won't necessarily open new doors that an undergraduate degree doesn't (in the UK at least).

The job market for recent graduates is actually holding up better than for experienced hires and school leavers in a lot of industries, and some industries are more effected than others so it's a bit more of a complex picture than is presented in the doom and gloom headlines.