“Should I go for a master’s?” - This is a pretty common question I get asked, and here’s my take on it. If it doesn’t resonate with you, that’s fair. We’re all shaped by our experiences.
A master’s can be a great move, but only if you’re clear about why. Broadly, it makes sense for three reasons:
- as a reset button for career or
- as a reset button to geography, or
- as a gateway into academia.
If you’re aiming for research, go for a top school and squeeze every drop of value. If you want to switch domains or countries but can’t break in otherwise (via job switches), a master’s can help bridge that gap. But, doing it just because it feels like the “next step” is usually not worth it.
That said, today’s environment is tricky. Unlike a decade ago, macroeconomics and geopolitics add more uncertainty, and countries are more protective than ever. So you must assess the hard factors before committing. A few questions I recommend asking yourself:
- how hiring look like when you graduate?
- will your chosen field still be hot in 3 years?
- what income and growth will you forgo while studying?
- can you realistically repay the loan, and is it worth the cost?
When I did my master’s, fees were low and ROI was solid (for me). I went in purely to explore advanced CS subjects I missed during undergrad, and that clarity mattered more than anything else.
I took some of the best courses IIIT had to offer, skipped the project, and loaded up on subjects because I wanted to learn as much as I could. My degree cost about INR 4,00,000 and has given me a strong ROI.
But again, if you think you’ll benefit (given all the factors), go for it. If you believe you can reach the same place with a couple of smart switches, just double down on getting impact at your workplace and switch.
In tech, a master’s doesn’t usually change much. You’re paid for the impact you make. Except for a few specialized roles, companies don’t care whether you hold a postgrad degree or not. So draft your 5-7 year plan and see if you truly need it to get there.
The world changes a lot in 5 years, so be honest and rational while you analyze.
Hope this helps.