I did a masters straight after my undergrad, though at a different uni. I basically didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up so I kept being a student. Neither of my degrees are at all useful in securing employment that would pay off the debt but it is all paid off now, so it is possible. The first five years after my MA were hard though as it was basically paying a bank loan rather than a student loan, and my early wages were pants and my partner was in the same situation. So basically we were well educated in random niche subjects, working, and still skint. But it did get better. I think it would have been very difficult to have children in those five years, unless you were already quite good at managing your funds well and didn’t totally panic at an unexpected cost.
I didn’t find work at uni level in my field without a doctorate and then some. I was offered a spot to do my doctorate but I was out of money. I found work quickly in secondary education though and my masters did open a few extra doors in the world of independent and private schools - but my MA was in my subject, not in education. I have a few friends who did the same in maths and sciences and we all interviewed in fields of people with zero education qualifications but all advanced degrees in our subjects. Admittedly that was a long time ago, so I’m not sure how often that still happens, but if you’re interested in teaching at a boarding school or similar, then advanced degrees are more respected there.
I eventually moved across to teaching in state schools and did the on-the-job version of a PGCE. I basically never mentioned my MA there. The only thing it helped me get in state secondary was starting one step up on the pay spine. Didn’t hurt but not exactly earth shattering.
but! I loved doing my course. It made me a stronger person. It’s worth knowing that every time you step up in degree level, it’s basically the top of the class carrying on, so if you felt very able in your undergrad, you may find yourself looking around the table unable to follow all the genius conversation, but you can make it through. It also made me realise I was okay not doing a doctorate! My course was 12 months but essentially no breaks. 14 people started the course with me and 10 of us finished at the set date. I have always wondered what happened to the other four, because that is a lot of cash to invest and not finish the degree. Although I don’t regret my choice, I was broke for a while and didn’t go on holiday or live anywhere nice and had about four takeaways a year until I was about 27 or 28.