Is a Masters Degree Worthwhile for a Crossover of Pathways? Music to Business...

Hi,

I'm currently in my third year of a BA (Hons) in Commercial Music and the prospect of entering the big wide world of work has dawned on me, which is rather daunting...

I'm on course for a definite 2:1, but a first is definitely achievable and I'm currently deciding on my dissertation topic and believe it would be a good idea to base this on a potential masters degree.

I have been researching the pros // cons of a masters degrees and considered a few different options, but I've concluded that if I am to further my education I would like to study a business related MA/Msc. I've looked into both standard business masters and also ones that are related to the creative industries.

One of two things really:
- Is a crossover a good choice to enhance job prospects? I'm fully aware music was probably not the best choice of undergrad degrees, but I've definitely evolved as a musician and person over the past two years and it has been an enjoyable experience.
- Is a MA/Msc in business actually going to be at all relevant to employers, both in the world of music industries and the broader world of business, or are they just going to be looking for hands-on experience?

At the moment I'm fairly open to where and what I would like my job to consist of. Preferably within the music industry, but if not I am interested in working within business.

Thanks very much for any replies and useful information, it's much appreciated.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

beautifulbigmacs

If you can see relevance in a subject then studying it as masters can be an economic and constructive way to improve your prospects.

I did BA drama and then did MA music and four years later have began MSc food this week.

So yeah you can use a masters as a vehicle to diversify with.

Reply 2

returnmigrant

The clue here is in the first sentence of your post.

At some point you have to get a job. Just 'doing another course' in order to put that moment off is not the solution. You will still be a fresh young graduate with nothing on your CV. If this degree in 'Commercial Music' hasn't given you enough to go out there and get employment then what on earth have you been doing for the last 3 years?

The way into a career in the music industry is from the bottom up, not by waving a Masters degree about. It will impress no one. You need to get a low level job and work your way up. This will be quicker for you because you are bright enough to have a degree (its the sharp brain that is important not the degree itself), but you cannot side step this stage - this is where you learn the realities of what makes this industry work, and its an essential 'apprenticeship'. Have you seen any job ads for 'person with no experience, must have a Masters degree'?

A Masters degree is expensive and, at the start of your career, a total waste of time and money. Bite the bullet, get out there and get a job. Get some internship experience, work for low pay/no pay and you will get your career going.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

beautifulbigmacs

I know from experience that the music industry is hard to get into and all of that networking in the arts isn't everyone's cup of tea no matter how much they enjoyed studying the subject.

My understanding of the op is that they wanted to do a masters to diversify because they don't want to work in music. If this is the case it sounds like a good plan.

Loads of people do arts degrees and then choose to do further study to help them increase their employment options and I see nothing wrong with that because it's about widening your options and doing something about it rather than grieving over doors that are currently closed that could be opened.

Reply 4

bisforbenj

Thank you both for your replies.

I'm not particularly looking to put off work, I've just become concerned with the prospect of how my life is going to unwind (I'm a bit of a worrier). My idea behind a masters was to crossover between two pathways that potentially interlink, therefore gaining knowledge in a second industry and potentially developing or enhancing my job prospects in a broader range due to having a BA (Hons) and a MA/MSc in different areas. I've been working hard and pushing to get a first in my degree thank you!!! (Why are so many people so uptight on this forum?! Of course it's a serious topic, and I appreciate any reply, but ease up pal)!

Of course I agree, it's pretty much the same with any industry, especially music, I'm well aware of that. I just wanted to know if a crossover of pathways has the potential to enhance job prospects, and if a masters in business is relevant to employers, but with your reply I'm gathering your opinion is no to both.

When would you suggest it is a good time to study a masters, if any? I am hopeful of an internship and I've been searching around, I've not set myself on 'this masters is going to happen', it was just an idea, because the creative industries and business interest me, and I am looking to do as well as I can in the world of work.

I agree, Laurakate, the music industry is rather who you know a lot of the time and networking is of upmost importance.

I would love to work in the music industry, but I'm also open to developing a career within business also!

I'm assuming you believe it is worthwhile studying a masters and that crossing over would enhance job prospects?

Thank you again, to both of you.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 5

Sarah2611

My father worked within the music industry for many years, It used to be about who you know, not what you know, however, there are employment opportunities in the music and arts industries.

Networking is a major part of getting yourself out there but it's more than this, it's how you conduct yourself too. Very rarely do things just arrive in our laps so prepare for a lot of hard work to make it but the rewards can be great and greater within an industry you love.

A friend of mine did a "Business Course" that was around the Music Business and opened many doors for him so I believe choosing the right course, with the right qualification and one that gives you the tools to make it in to industry are vital.

As mentioned by someone above, just having a degree doesn't automatically get you a high flying job in any industry let alone the Music Industry.

Reply 6

El Salvador

I thought people just slept with people to get ahead.

Reply 7

bisforbenj

Sarah, do you know what course your friend studied, and if it was a masters or an undergrad degree?

Of course, I completely understand that degrees aren't going to give me the right to a high flying job, I know it has to be earned. I just wanted other peoples perspectives on my two questions, because I'm really struggling to decide!

Thanks for the replies.

Reply 8

beautifulbigmacs

In response to your question op, I strongly believe that casting your net wide (at least in the early days of your career) keeps your options to make money as wide as possible.

The thing with music and drama is that if you don't get a job in those fields specifically it leaves you with more soft skills as a result and its easy to fall into crappy retail/customer service type jobs that you don't want to do (at least not forever!). Therefore if you can enhance your education to give yourself more choices then definitely go for it.

Nb. My post here is heavily flavoured by my own experiences and attitudes so other people's milage may vary but this is my story.

Reply 9

returnmigrant

How will you pay for a Masters degree?

There is no automatic funding like Student Finance at postgraduate level.

Reply 10

bisforbenj

That is part of my thinking behind studying a Masters degree, to broaden my possible career path. As I've said I know music probably wasn't the best choice of degree for employability, but it was my favoured subject area, and we all aim to work in an industry we want to be in.

That's all I can ask for, your opinion and experiences, both of which are very useful and I appreciate it, so thank you. :smile:

Of course I've looked into the cost of a Masters degree and know about 'career development loans'. I've almost all my undergrad student loan saved, as I've managed my money well, so I can use that to cover at least the course fees in most cases.

I'd prefer to pay £6000 in course fees (obviously), but I know many business Masters are in the region of £10000, and of course it would depend on the course being right for me rather than choosing the cheaper option, if I did decide to study a postgrad course.

Any other help is much appreciated, cheers.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 11

yabbayabba

What kind of masters are you considering - strictly business masters or masters with creative industries in mind?

Reply 12

bisforbenj

I've considered both. At first it was just creative industries, but I was surprised to see that a fair few strictly business Masters are aimed at students who have no background in business. Would you suggest either one of them as better, or do you believe that a strictly business Masters would reap more rewards?

Thanks!

Reply 13

The_Lonely_Goatherd

It's not my style to be as blunt as returnmigrant but I think he has some valid points. Like you acknowledge yourself these are VERY expensive courses, with no 100% fool-proof job prospects at the end of it. It is all about networking and tbh I think you would be better off starting on the bottom rung of a ladder at a music industry company (EMI has low-paid internships, IIRC, as an example - but you may well have to intern for free) and then work your way up. Even the Simon Cowells of this world have to start off by making tea and running errands.

Just network like crazy and put yourself out there. Later on along the line, if it turns out a Masters might be conducive to your career, you could ask your employer to perhaps sponsor you and pay (part of) the fees :dontknow:

Reply 14

yabbayabba

Original post by bisforbenj

I have no idea, I'm still mulling this all over too tbh. I'm actually considering a more business oriented masters myself - I've just started my final year of a humanities degree. I want to work within the media and considered a straight business masters but have also seen masters which teach business but specifically within creative industries - and as masters are meant to be specialised it makes sense.

I just assumed that straight business masters weren't really for me as most people will want to become CEOs at banks or whatever, and I don't want to do that.

Reply 15

bisforbenj

Aha, I completely agree, he does have some very valid points, my aim was just to get as many opinions as possible :smile:

They are indeed very expensive and I understand it won't guarantee me anything, not least a job!

I've been looking into internships, and I will apply to many of them that I feel suited to. That EMI one won't be available anymore though, as it was bought out by Universal, and I think Warner as well! I just feel that surely I'd be rather fortunate to get an internship at one of the major record labels? Surely thousands of people apply for them... I mean I'd personally rather work at an Indie, but right now I'm not going to worry about that, because any opportunity would be useful! But I would have thought they'd be just as hard to get an internship at also.

I have thought about that, that would be the perfect outcome to this all, achieving a decent job and then them sponsoring and contributing to a Masters... Obviously a fair way off that right now though!

Similar situation then! What's the reason you want to study a business orientated Masters, in the hope to enhance job prospects? I suppose that's a good shout, perhaps studying a creative industries Masters would be more suited to me as well...

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 16

yabbayabba

Well yeah it's only to potentially help job prospects mainly, also my ideal uni course would have been English and economics/business, but that doesn't exist so masters courses like this would cover at least a bit of that while also being directly relevant to the field I want to go into. I know it isn't a magic key or anything and work experience is more important but every little helps. However, I'm set on one year masters only and only those that offer any sort of funding. I too have a fair bit saved from student loans that I plan to use after I graduate. I don't think it's worth it if I have to stump up all the money myself, I'd rather spend that on rent or travelling or something, as a masters is not a definite guarantee of anything.

Reply 17

Sarah2611

Hi bisforbenj

My friend is studying a diploma level four certificate in Business Management but it's taught at a Music Academy so it's with music being the main ethos.

He references to me that it's great to actually get industry knowledge and training about business ethics which he hasn't got from any other course.

Reply 18

Sarah2611

Hi bisforbenj

Can I ask what specifically you'd like to do as a career in the Music Industry, as mentioned before, it's a global music industry, which specific aspects of the industry attract you to it and which sections of it do you most want to impact?

I think this is why my friend did the diploma level 4, because it armed him with the necessary to accomplish within many different genre's of opportunities.

With Music, think where is music going to be in five years and if today's educational opportunities match a similar plan.

Hopefully I am being a little bit of help, feel free to ask any questions that you might have.

Reply 19

bisforbenj

Original post by Sarah2611

Thanks Sarah, sorry I've taken a while to reply! At the moment my main wish is to work at an independent record label, such as Rough Trade Records, Domino, XL etc. Perhaps in the AR department or something... I think I've decided to leave the Masters Degree for a while and perhaps study one at a later date. I'm going to apply for internships and see if I can get some work experience at a label, and hopefully go from there. My dissertation is going to be based upon the music industry and possibly more specifically on record labels.

You have been very helpful, so thank you!