The Student Room Group

should I do a Master's

-Psychology related
-Have no work experience/ never had a job
-Not sure of exact career
Original post by hiìiiiiii
-Psychology related
-Have no work experience/ never had a job
-Not sure of exact career

Hi @hiìiiiiii,

What are your interests?

People choose to do a masters for a number of reasons including the following:

They want to explore a subject they like on a deeper level

The masters is more of a stepping stone to pursuing a PhD (sometimes the case with Psychology as you usually are required to have a masters to apply for PhD funding)

It might help with career prospects in your field of interest


I am a final year Psychology student who has just completed my degree at Kent. I have chosen to stay on to do a Developmental MSc at Kent largely because of the faculty and the developmental Psychology community that I do not want to leave. I also hope to do a PhD so having staff around who do interesting work and are equally as friendly and kind is a bonus for sure!

I have friends who are masters students and one thing they often say to myself and others is to do a masters if we feel like we really want to and if it would genuinely help our career as its a step up from undergrad and a whole year of commitment. A lot of students are part time students (doing the course over 2 years) so they can balance outside commitments and studies in a manageable way. This could be an option for you as in the time you are not studying you can gain experience with different types of Psychology to see what you are truly interested in.

For more information about the courses at Kent have a look at this link: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/78/psychology

Finally, I just want to say, there are many masters students coming to the end of their degree who also dont know what they want to do and even some PhD students so I would say listen to your interests and see what can come from those!

I hope this helps and I am more than happy to answer any questions.

Alia
University of Kent Student Rep

Reply 2

Original post by University of Kent
Hi @hiìiiiiii,
What are your interests?
People choose to do a masters for a number of reasons including the following:

They want to explore a subject they like on a deeper level

The masters is more of a stepping stone to pursuing a PhD (sometimes the case with Psychology as you usually are required to have a masters to apply for PhD funding)

It might help with career prospects in your field of interest


I am a final year Psychology student who has just completed my degree at Kent. I have chosen to stay on to do a Developmental MSc at Kent largely because of the faculty and the developmental Psychology community that I do not want to leave. I also hope to do a PhD so having staff around who do interesting work and are equally as friendly and kind is a bonus for sure!
I have friends who are masters students and one thing they often say to myself and others is to do a masters if we feel like we really want to and if it would genuinely help our career as its a step up from undergrad and a whole year of commitment. A lot of students are part time students (doing the course over 2 years) so they can balance outside commitments and studies in a manageable way. This could be an option for you as in the time you are not studying you can gain experience with different types of Psychology to see what you are truly interested in.
For more information about the courses at Kent have a look at this link: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/78/psychology
Finally, I just want to say, there are many masters students coming to the end of their degree who also dont know what they want to do and even some PhD students so I would say listen to your interests and see what can come from those!
I hope this helps and I am more than happy to answer any questions.
Alia
University of Kent Student Rep

Thank you sm for your response, it's really helpful. I'm interested in mental health.
Original post by hiìiiiiii
Thank you sm for your response, it's really helpful. I'm interested in mental health.

Hi @hiìiiiiii,

No problem. Since you first posted about this, are there any personal pros or cons you have identified for doing a masters?

A masters (especially in clinical Psychology) will help you get a better understanding of the topic to know whether it is for you, combined with some volunteering you could set yourself up well for after a masters when looking for a job as you will have some qualifications under your belt and experience!

Going to university open days would be helpful to talk to lecturers to see if a masters is the right choice for you. You can talk to them about the course, potential career options after masters and discuss financial options with staff at the university (there is usually a stall at postgrad open days at Kent who can discuss that with you). Here is a link you can use to find out what happens at these days: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/open-days?utm_source=google&utm_medium=performance_max&utm_campaign=ec_ug24_101420&utm_content=gb_b_open_day&gad_source=1.

We actually have one coming up on the 6th July if you are available to join us: https://www.kent.ac.uk/events/event/65542/canterbury-undergraduate-open-day-4.

I hope this helps.

Alia
University of Kent Student Rep (final year BSc Psychology)

Reply 4

Original post by University of Kent
Hi @hiìiiiiii,
No problem. Since you first posted about this, are there any personal pros or cons you have identified for doing a masters?
A masters (especially in clinical Psychology) will help you get a better understanding of the topic to know whether it is for you, combined with some volunteering you could set yourself up well for after a masters when looking for a job as you will have some qualifications under your belt and experience!
Going to university open days would be helpful to talk to lecturers to see if a masters is the right choice for you. You can talk to them about the course, potential career options after masters and discuss financial options with staff at the university (there is usually a stall at postgrad open days at Kent who can discuss that with you). Here is a link you can use to find out what happens at these days: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/open-days?utm_source=google&utm_medium=performance_max&utm_campaign=ec_ug24_101420&utm_content=gb_b_open_day&gad_source=1.
We actually have one coming up on the 6th July if you are available to join us: https://www.kent.ac.uk/events/event/65542/canterbury-undergraduate-open-day-4.
I hope this helps.
Alia
University of Kent Student Rep (final year BSc Psychology)

Hi,

That's exactly what I was thinking (about doing volunteering alongside my master's)! I was thinking of volunteering in mental health charities. Is there any that you would recommend?

For pros: There's a specific area of research that I really would like to do that motivates me to do a master's. And (this is a strange reason) so I can get out of the house.

And cons: I guess just the usual like assignment stress.
Original post by hiìiiiiii
-Psychology related
-Have no work experience/ never had a job
-Not sure of exact career

Hey there 😀

Deciding whether to pursue a master's degree is a big decision, especially when you are not entirely sure about your career path yet. The most important thing here is to reflect on your motivations and options.

Since you have not had work experience yet, it might be beneficial to gain some before committing to a master's program. Summer internships, volunteer positions, or entry-level jobs in related fields can provide valuable insights and help you determine what you enjoy.

By exploring your options, I mean to look into different careers within psychology and see what qualifications they require. Some roles might necessitate a master’s degree, while others might only require a bachelor’s combined with relevant experience. So, figuring out your direction can help you decide whether you should do master's.

Remember, there is no rush to make this decision. Taking some time to gain experience and clarify your career goals can be incredibly helpful here. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I hope it was helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Reply 6

Original post by hiìiiiiii
-Psychology related
-Have no work experience/ never had a job
-Not sure of exact career

Hey there! 🌟

I saw you're thinking about doing a master's degree in Psychology that’s amazing! I’ve been considering switching fields to Psychology too, and I have to tell you, the University of Essex offers the perfect program for people like us with no previous experience in the field. 🎓🧠

The Department of Psychology at Essex is fantastic. They have a super supportive environment and the program is designed to give you a solid foundation in psychology, even if you're new to it. Plus, the MSc Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is a huge plus. This accreditation means you'll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, opening up lots of career opportunities. 🌟

Speaking of career paths, a master's in Psychology can lead to so many exciting fields. You could go into clinical psychology, educational psychology, occupational psychology, or even research and academia. The skills you gain are also valuable in roles like human resources, marketing, and mental health support. 🌍💼

At Essex, you'll be learning from some of the best in the field. The professors are not just great teachers but also active researchers, bringing cutting-edge knowledge into the classroom. The university itself is a vibrant place with a beautiful campus, modern facilities, and a lively student community. Whether it’s academic life or social events, there’s always something happening here. 📚✨

I’m particularly excited about the hands-on experience and the opportunity to engage in real research projects. Essex has amazing resources, including advanced labs and a comprehensive library. Plus, the student support services are fantastic from academic advising to career counseling, they've got you covered. 🤓🔍

And let’s not forget the social side of things. Essex has a great nightlife and plenty of clubs and societies to join, making it easy to meet new people and have a balanced, enjoyable student life. 🎉🕺

If you’re looking for a welcoming and engaging environment to start your journey in psychology, the University of Essex is definitely the place to be. I’m really excited about the possibilities, and I think you’ll love it here too!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat more about it! 🌈🎓

Warm regards,
Essex Student Rep - Renaldas🚀
Original post by hiìiiiiii
Hi,
That's exactly what I was thinking (about doing volunteering alongside my master's)! I was thinking of volunteering in mental health charities. Is there any that you would recommend?
For pros: There's a specific area of research that I really would like to do that motivates me to do a master's. And (this is a strange reason) so I can get out of the house.
And cons: I guess just the usual like assignment stress.

Hi @hiìiiiiii,

Volunteering is great and usually depending on where you work, volunteering can be flexible.

I would recommend online volunteering as this seems to be the most flexible option. SHOUTs information is here: https://giveusashout.org/get-involved/volunteer-shout/. I would also recommend 7 cups (https://www.7cups.com/listener/become-a-volunteer-listener.php), I have not volunteered myself with either of these but know people who have.

I hope this helps!

Have you been to any university open days or would you intend to go to some (either online or in person?)

Alia
University of Kent Student Rep

Quick Reply