is doing a masters degree worth it? (1 Viewer)

[spiderfan44]

im planning on doing a bachelor of environmental management. im wondering if doing a masters degree is that beneficial in terms of employment in the field of environmental science, mainly environmental consultancy, enforcement or site remediation

 

[wollongong warrior]

Masters are moreso if you want to pursue academia
Masters is only relevant if you can't secure an internship by the end of the degree

 

[carrotsss]

Masters are moreso if you want to pursue academics
Masters is only relevant if you can't secure an internship by the end of the degree

it can also be a slightly longer alternative to an honours year if ur looking to work overseas, since honours works differently in a lot of countries whereas masters is pretty standard

I wouldn’t worry too much about it yet unless you’re looking at an integrated degree program though since you have 3 years to figure out if u want to do a masters

 

[wollongong warrior]

That's true
On the topic of integrated degrees: you won't need to waste money on general education if you do pursue one since it's counted as a double degree (at unsw at least)

 

[carrotsss]

That's true
On the topic of integrated degrees: you won't need to waste money on general education if you do pursue one since it's counted as a double degree (at unsw at least)

at usyd at least for the b sci/m maths you reduce the bsc base requirements I think but also the bsc requirements are pretty tokenistic anyway it’s just 2 maths units and 2 non-maths science units including majors. you also save half a year on the masters though

 

[spiderfan44]

That's true
On the topic of integrated degrees: you won't need to waste money on general education if you do pursue one since it's counted as a double degree (at unsw at least)

im planning on doing a single degree so im gonna have to do a gen ed course. ill prob do whatever i think is fun or one of those courses that are known for being easy but good for wam if my wam is shit

 

[enoilgam]

im planning on doing a bachelor of environmental management. im wondering if doing a masters degree is that beneficial in terms of employment in the field of environmental science, mainly environmental consultancy, enforcement or site remediation

I have hired Environmental people back in the day and I would say timing is key. If you do a Master's straight away, then no it is a waste of time. You need to build your career up first before doing the Masters. It probably is good for people looking to make the jump from junior roles into management/leadership or maybe if you are focused on a hyper-technical niche environmental field.

More broadly, you need to be very intentional with education pathways. Given how expensive degrees are and the impact of HECS on your ability to get a mortgage, I would not be doing any degree (Masters or otherwise) unless it is directly linked to career progression and earning more money. Once you are working in environmental science, you will be able to gauge whether it is necessary.

Take me and my partner. Im in HR, she is in nursing. For her, a Masters is highly valuable for career progression especially because the Masters is quite technical and gives you skills beyond a regular nurse. Furthermore, a Nursing Masters is heavily subsidised (less than $5k). In contrast, a Masters in HR is not really very beneficial in terms of content and it will do little for your career progression (this is dictated mainly by experience in HR). Also a HR Masters is $60k - for that I could get a sports car which would probably be a better use of the money.

 

[spiderfan44]

I have hired Environmental people back in the day and I would say timing is key. If you do a Master's straight away, then no it is a waste of time. You need to build your career up first before doing the Masters. It probably is good for people looking to make the jump from junior roles into management/leadership or maybe if you are focused on a hyper-technical niche environmental field.

More broadly, you need to be very intentional with education pathways. Given how expensive degrees are and the impact of HECS on your ability to get a mortgage, I would not be doing any degree (Masters or otherwise) unless it is directly linked to career progression and earning more money. Once you are working in environmental science, you will be able to gauge whether it is necessary.

Take me and my partner. Im in HR, she is in nursing. For her, a Masters is highly valuable for career progression especially because the Masters is quite technical and gives you skills beyond a regular nurse. Furthermore, a Nursing Masters is heavily subsidised (less than $5k). In contrast, a Masters in HR is not really very beneficial in terms of content and it will do little for your career progression (this is dictated mainly by experience in HR). Also a HR Masters is $60k - for that I could get a sports car which would probably be a better use of the money.

thank you very much, ill have a look into scholarships for masters when the time comes