[Steffis]

Hi all,

I'm currently in my final year of my Bachelor's degree and I am completely unsure whether i should do a Master's or apply for Graduate Schemes. What's more valuable?

I think I'll end up applying for both anyway but some opinions would be much appreciated

[Smack]

Valuable for what?

Why do so many people on TSR ask such ridiculous questions?

[Steffis]

(Original post by Smack)
Valuable for what?

Why do so many people on TSR ask such ridiculous questions?

It's not really a ridiculous question, is it?

Valuable in terms of the future career path, etc.

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

(Original post by Steffis)
It's not really a ridiculous question, is it?

Valuable in terms of the future career path, etc.

Well it is a bit of a ridiculous question to be honest... what career path are you hoping to have? If you want to be a scientist then a Master's is the way to go, followed by a PhD. If you want to be an accountant then a Master's is unlikely to make a difference, you're better off going straight into a training programme.

What do you want to do?

[Smack]

(Original post by Steffis)
It's not really a ridiculous question, is it?

Valuable in terms of the future career path, etc.

It is ridiculous because there are so many different answers depending on what you mean valuable for.

Even now you haven't really narrowed it down at all.

No-one can answer your question because no-one knows what you want to do as a career or what else you mean by "etc.".

I am afraid you are going to have to do much more of your own research. People here aren't psychic, we can't tell exactly what you're thinking without you actually writing it down and we're generally not even going to bother answering such open ended questions.

Tell us precisely what you are considering as a future career, and hopefully people with relevant experience or knowledge can provide an answer.

[ak9779]

I'd say Masters for research, placement for a job

[MagicNMedicine]

Well on a typical Masters degree you will be paying £6000-10000 in fees and spending about the same in living costs and you will be unemployed at the end of it.

On a typical graduate scheme you will be paid £20000-24000 in salary and probably getting some training towards a professional qualification in that year.

At the end of the Masters you would just be applying for graduate scheme jobs anyway. Obviously there can be certain highly specific careers where a Masters will increase your earning power afterwards but as you are just asking in general terms I would always say graduate schemes are better than Masters, however most people can't get on graduate schemes and that's why they apply to do Masters and then they just apply to graduate schemes again.

[Aack]

If you have the money to be able to afford another year of education, then you should do it if you really think you need it bearing in mind what career you want.

It's tough getting on a graduate scheme at the moment - although having said that, universities are pumping out more and more "graduates" every year.

[Steffis]

I want to become a manager so work experience and graduate schemes seem to be the better option as it's not guaranteed that i'll know more about management after having done a Master's...

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

(Original post by Steffis)
I want to become a manager so work experience and graduate schemes seem to be the better option as it's not guaranteed that i'll know more about management after having done a Master's...

Ok, go into a graduate programme then after you have a few years experience think about doing an MBA

[BO'H]

if you are interested in management there is precisely no point doing a masters in management if you don't have relevant experience

unless your first degree is in something completely random

[Jake22]

(Original post by Steffis)
I want to become a manager so work experience and graduate schemes seem to be the better option as it's not guaranteed that i'll know more about management after having done a Master's...

You want to be 'a manager'?

Quit university and get a McJob. As long as you are on the ball and work hard, you will be 'a manager' in 6 months...

but seriously, people need to be more specific when asking questions (and indeed when planning out there life and career)

It isn't going to help you in 'graduate scheme' interviews if you have a vague idea that you want to work in 'business', wear a snazzy suit and have some vague level of authority over other people.

[cookie_monster333]

Hi all, Im going into my final year at the University of Sheffield where im doing BSc Economics. I got a high 2.1 in 2nd year and am pretty confident that i will come out with a 1st class degree. However, in 2nd year the maths module is 100% examined on the summer exam and i sort of cocked it up. I got 53% so a lowish 2.2! Next year im going to get my head down and work to get a 1st.
But in the mean time, like the OP, im not sure on whether a grad scheme or a masters it the best path for me!
Career wise I, like many people, am still not 100% sure on what i want to do. Im attracted by the consulting side of business working for one of the big 4 in an advsory role would be ideal.
Do you think applying to grad schemes or a masters MSc in Economics at somewhere like Warwick should take priority. If it changes anything i love economics and would seriously consider doing a masters just for my love of the subject. However, career wise, what would people suggest/ reccommend

Thanks in advance!!