Let me quickly explain my situation. I am currently coming to the end of my final year studying for a BSc in Music Technology at the University of Kent, (on for a 2:1, possibly 1st), and am desperately trying to figure out what I should do next with my life.
Since I was small, music has been the only thing I have had a genuine interest in, so deciding to study music technology seemed like a way to continue my passion towards a music related career, although at the time of deciding to go to uni I had no idea what I wanted to do within music specifically.
Although I have enjoyed my degree, and do not regret taking it, it has become clear to me that a career in the 'music industry' itself is not where I want to head, and instead would like to teach music at Higher Education (HE) level (ie. A level / University) (sorry not sure what the US equivalent of UK A levels are).
I am considering doing a Masters degree in Music (at the University of Bristol) to help me get there, as well as benefitting me generally, with a focus on composition (as this is what I enjoy most) part time over two years so that I can work along side in order to help pay for it. (For reference, the Masters degree I am considering is £6300 total)
For the direction I want to be heading in, is a Masters degree in Music worth it?
As far as I can see, I see my pros and cons as follows:
'''My thoughts FOR doing a masters:'''
I genuinely have a real interest in music (and composition) and, if I can afford it, would like to continue studying it at masters level.
To become a HE lecturer you need at least a masters degree in the subject you wish to teach.
I’m the first to admit that a BSc in Music Technology isn’t the most impressive of degrees to potential employers, and a masters would surely open more doors to me?
More and more people have degrees now, a masters degree would allow me to stand out from the crowd.
My thoughts AGAINST doing a masters:
Is it worth the extra cost / time / effort? Will the benefits from having done a masters warrant these extras?
Is doing a Masters in Music putting all of my eggs in one basket? I have read that doing a masters in Business for example allows you to go into a wide range of careers, and, although teaching music is definitely what I want to do, if that doesn't work out for whatever reason, will having a masters in music close me off to most other career paths?
Any guidance / advice / experience would be massively appreciated.