Do advanced degrees really pay off?
By jpace123
@jpace123 (95)
United States
November 12, 2010 11:04pm CST
Two years ago, I went back to school for a Masters degree, hoping that it woul lead to higher pay, easier promotion, and other tangible benefits. At times I wonder if it really has been fruitful or not. I don't make any more money working at the same job now for the two years since. What's your experience?
7 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
13 Nov 10
It use to be where the higher the degree the more money you make, but unfortunately the economy has made so many changes that there are many questioning this as well.
I guess the only answer I can provide is that it is self fulfilling. Good luck to you though, as I hope the economy will pick up where as you can then advance yet even more.
@timzbizz (5)
• United States
13 Nov 10
This is a very interesting (and personal) topic for me. Thank you for bringing this up. Actually had a conversation with a co-worker today about this very topic. You see, I have 35 years of experience in Engineering; namely drafting and design. I also have a two year degree (Associate of Arts in Mechanical Design) that I received a couple of decades after being in the business. With my current company, I have gradually worked my way up into lower management where I manage a group of Desingers and Engineers; some with no degrees and others with Master's degrees. The conversation I had today was with an Engineer who has his Masters and also, who reports to me. I told him that I thought the way that we do things is "up-side-down" and that I should be reporting to him. His response was, experience means more than a degree. I don't know if that answers your question, but he does make a point worth considering. Now for the scarey part, I am on the verge of being layed off and I am afraid that I will be "un-hireable" due to my experience level and lack of at least a 4-year degree.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
19 Nov 10
Usually speaking, working in a state company or office, you will get a higher salary with an advanced degree, but in a private company it depends on how your business gots on. I have some students who graduated from college and some without a college diploma, but their yearly salary depends on their working performance in how much benefit they can make for their company. Therefore I think that it is relative.
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
17 Nov 10
I think it depends on the job or career choice. I went back to school to finish my Bachelors but I haven't used it, I'm a stay at home dad now. But, I think its important to use that degree to obtain more money, that's why you go it right? Some fields require a Masters just to get into the door, a Bachelors will be as useful as a High School Diploma one day. So look at your field and see if your degree would be better utilized by another company who would pay you for getting it.
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
14 Nov 10
I have not seen advanced degrees yield more renumeration in my experience or lifetime, and I know it's only going to get worse.
@summerfed (82)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I have no experience to this matter since I'm still a student taking up my bachelors degree, but based on what my professor sharing to us, It is more easy to apply for high paying jobs if you already got your masters degree, as well as easy to get promoted.
@sundaesoda (42)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I'd finished my master's degree 4 years ago and somehow that helped me land a better job. I'm not actually using what I'd learned there but still, its a great addition for our CV.
@MsPatriciaDV (636)
• Philippines
17 Nov 10
I don't think higher degrees commensurate to higher pay. I've seen a lot of people with really good education --- they have accomplished "Phd"s, or graduated in law school, etc. ---- who don't earn that pretty well. I think it's all in hard work and strategy.
Graduating in college doesn't even mean you're getting a good paying job.
