Has an MA made a difference to your career?

[slipperandpjsmum]

I know there can be vast differences in careers, however, was just wondering have you undertaken an MA and has it made much difference to your career? Was it worth it?

I did an MA is a subject I love. Don't want to out myself but it was basically studying a period of history.

I don't think it has helped my career at all. There are next to no jobs directly relating to it. However, I think it has got me noticed by potential employers and it is always remarked on in interviews.

I work now in publishing, and it now seems that all the entry level jobs are taken by young graduates who have done a publishing MA, usually at City or Oxford Brookes.

My MA (in translation) gave me the confidence to step out into my field with my head held high. Even though I'd been translating for years as a second job, the MA made me reflect and reconsider everything I thought I knew about translating. I am very glad that I did it.

Same as madness. No relation to job I do. I did my BA and my MA because I loved it. Does get commented upon at interview, nearly always.

Depends on whether MA is vocational and also what point in your career you do it.

EG MBA done by a 22 year old straight after a first degree is not worth the paper it's written on, whereas same MBA done by someone in their mid 30's is a huge career-booster in some industries, and meaningless in others.

My MSc was vaguely vocational but in a totally different field to my career at the time. Despite doing it simply as a passion, it opened up my career and helped me become very specialised and very successful in a short space of time. Collapse of Lehman's helped hugely too but I prefer to think it was all me