Should I study a Master degree or not?

There’s still some time left, but for some students the choosing day is coming: what do I do next year? Do I study some more or should I start working (or looking for a job)? It is true is that here in San Sebastian we’ve got an advantage: our bachelor’s degrees provide access to several Master degrees. But, above everything, we’d like to be as objective as possible and stablish

pros and cons of studying a Master Degree

We’re using as a reference the Master in Industrial Engineering, since it’s pretty close to us: Materials speciality within that Master is right here, in Galarreta. And, as mentioned, we’ll try to be as honest as possible regarding these issues that always come up when taking about masters:

1. Is it worth it?

Yes, but only if you’re really sure about the decision. This master degree opens so many doors to a wide range of jobs (even public jobs!). In return, it asks for a lot of work, so attitudes like “I’ll start studying that but I’ll take it easy, let’s see how it goes…” usually do not work out. You can learn lots of things regarding construction, mechanical design, management, energy generation, simulation, fluids, etc. So, even if you’re only looking at contents, it is worth it.

2. Is it expensive?

Yes. If we only look at the direct cost, it is (and we’re saying this when our Masters are not the most expensive ones at all!!)

But. Yes, there is a but. This master degree takes 2 years, but second year you’ll be taking part of the trainee program of a company for 75% of the course, and it is a paid training program. So costs reduce dramatically. On top of that, during first year of the degree most of students work and study at the same time.

3. Is it difficult?

It’s not easy, but the main difficulty comes from the fact that the workload is quite high, not technical difficulties. There are lots of subjects at the same time, all of them with lots of tasks. Regarding contents, depends on who’s talking (of course). There’s people who hates and others who love management, same with thermodynamics, and so on. Technical? No big difficulty here, only in punctual subjects and moments. Do not forget that most of our students study a Master degree while working, so it cannot be that hard!

4. Is it attractive?

There are so many different subjects, that chances are you’ll like some of them. But we also warn you: there will be some you don’t like so much. Most of the subjects come from a real focus, quite interesting, far from basic scientific concepts…

5. And what about work?

Let’s see: we cannot guarantee a job to anybody when they finish their master (or Bachelor’s) degree. But there’s always a project related to a company during last year of the studies, and that will provide you a chance to find a job: on top of that, everything depends on the company, the student, the moment, the location of the stars… Anyway, keep in mind that this degree is the most required one by companies. So… we can say it louder, but not clearer!!

6. And if I start working now, and I’ll study a Master degree later on?

Definitively no. This is the only thing we do recommend you not to do. Not because you can’t do it, but because, it’s pretty hard to catch uni rhythm once you’ve stopped studying. We understand that when you’re 22 or 23 you just want to start earning some money instead of studying some more. But be patient, one more year won’t harm anybody. After all, once you finish the master degree you only have some 40 years to work ahead of you 🙂

7. But, working and studying at the same time is possible?

Yes. Absolutely. No matter what you might hear, 70% of our students work and study at the same time, and they get their degree on time, so it is VERY possible.

To sum up: Industrial Engineering Master degree means a relative effor (both economically and from the workload point of view) for one year. In return, you get some very useful knowledge and a very valid title for the rest of your life. Our recommendation: go for it!!