Is it Better to Get a Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree First?

Deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree immediately after a bachelor’s degree, or taking a break to gain work experience, can heavily influence your career path. The choice ultimately depends on your career goals, financial situation, and personal preferences. However, pursuing a master’s degree right after your bachelor’s has some advantages in specific scenarios.

Common Path: Bachelor’s to Master’s

Many individuals opt to complete their bachelor’s degree, work for a year or several years, and then return to school for a master’s degree. This path is quite common and often helps in gaining relevant work experience, which can significantly improve your chances of getting into a top graduate program. As I personally experienced, having work experience often gives a competitive edge in getting accepted into master’s programs.

According to your situation, it is entirely possible to do this. In fact, it is often a good idea as long as you are committed to completing the master’s program and can afford the cost.

Immediate Pursuit of a Master’s Degree

Under specific circumstances, pursuing a master’s degree immediately after a bachelor’s degree can be more beneficial:

You Want to Teach

If your career goals involve teaching in schools or community colleges, having a master’s degree is often a requirement. Many school districts and community colleges mandate a master’s degree for teaching positions. Even if a master’s degree is not strictly required, it can significantly impact your salary, with engineers typically earning an average of more than $5,000 per year after completing an MS. This makes the investment in a master’s degree financially rewarding, paying for itself in approximately six years.

You Want a Master’s in Engineering

Another scenario where getting a master’s degree immediately is beneficial is if you are pursuing a degree in engineering. Dealing with advanced mathematical concepts right after a long break can be challenging. My personal experience suggests that the difficulty of relearning and applying these concepts without regular practice can be significant, making a seamless transition easier with a consecutive degree.

Pursuing Other Management-Related Degrees Later

For those who aim to later pursue management-related degrees such as an MBA, it is often advisable to take the time to gain extensive work experience first. According to the advice of a former CEO, professionals should consider focusing on being an “individual contributor” for the first ten years of their career. After building a solid foundation, one can then consider moving up the corporate ladder.

Instead of rushing into a master’s degree, you might focus on gaining specific career credentials:

Engineering Professionals

For engineers, focusing on passing the EIT (EngineerInTraining) exam and earning a PE (Professional Engineer) license can be highly beneficial. These credentials provide valuable recognition and can open doors to more advanced positions in the field.

Accountants

Accountants should aim to obtain the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) credential, which is a hallmark of professional accounting expertise.

Project Managers

If you have managed projects, earning the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification can significantly enhance your career prospects in management roles.

Conclusion

The decision to pursue a master’s degree immediately after a bachelor’s degree or to take a break first is deeply personal and depends on your individual circumstances. While there are scenarios where gaining a master’s degree right away is more advantageous, in other cases, taking the time to gain work experience can provide greater benefits. It is crucial to carefully evaluate your goals and resources before making this significant educational and career decision.