Getting my Masters a waste of time?

[Arlec]

Hey Guys,
Just wanted to post a quick question and gather some opinions.

I just graduated college with a Communications degree (I was unsure of a direct route to take, but I felt I needed some guidance and to be honest, wanted the college experience). I was also able to study abroad in London and travel around Europe which was a great character building experience.

All along I've wanted to be in the music industry in one way or another, but now this passion is stronger than ever. I found a program at Berklee College of Music to get my masters in Music Business and Global Entertainment...BUT it is based in Valencia, Spain. Now I wouldn't normally be gung-ho about futhering my education in an institutionalized setting, but being that I would be able to travel more (a huge plus for me), and gather more worldly opinions within the industry, it would help me when STARTING my own business within the music industry after (which is my goal).

What do you guys think? It's only a year program, with a lot of useful classes (as it highlights entrepreneurialism within the music industry) and it could give me the opportunity to network overseas, work with internships, and acquire more knowledge first hand of the industry from professionals.

Thoughts?

I appreciate any and all of your input!

Thanks,
Alec

 

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[Arlec]

Bumppp

 

[Amail]

Immersing yourself in a foreign culture for a year will be a rich and rewarding experience. I'd jump on it - sounds like a
blast!

 

[EastWind]

No one can answer that but you. The experience of living in a foreign place will be priceless tho.

 

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[InMotion]

Foreign travel would be a plus...but what are you wanting to do out of the gate; start a business or get a job? If I was looking for a job, before I got my masters, I would call some employers of interest in your field and get the opinions of people in the industry. Its only a year long, time may not be the issue, is this a good monetary investment? Who do they hire, will this masters degree give you a leg up? Perhaps there are some employers in Spain your interested in?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

What is the cost? Will it shackle you for life? Paid for? Does your business requires a Masters degree? You're asking an opinion on a multi-variat equation with the constants unknown, since they are inherent in yourself.

The experience could be a lifetime of memories ... but so are vacations that you can't afford.

 

[EastWind]

What is the cost? Will it shackle you for life? Paid for? Does your business requires a Masters degree? You're asking an opinion on a multi-variat equation with the constants unknown, since they are inherent in yourself.

The experience could be a lifetime of memories ... but so are vacations that you can't afford.

Very good point, I was thinking after my post before I came back and saw your post. After I wrote that the experience is priceless, I also realize that him retiring in 5yrs would be even better, and then he can travel anywhere he wants. Like I said, only he can answer it, but you are absolutely right, he needs to look at what it will cost, if he's going to be saddled with debt, then he ought to skip out on it. If it's not going to cost him money, he still needs to look at the opportunity cost towards other things he wants to do. He might have a business idea on hold, and his opportunity window to capture the market might be the next 8 months, in which case, he should also skip it, and get to work.

 

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[MartinV]

I don't know much about the music industry, but I would guess that it isn't exactly hung up on formal education. Of course, you should be very aware of the value (or lack thereof) of the degree in your field. If you don't then you REALLY need to start doing research on your industry.

I think the cost would be the big decider here for me. It would be a nice experience to live in Spain for a year, especially if you come out on the other side with a useful degree. However, you need to know what you're paying for, a vacation or a degree. Don't get me wrong, I think both can be fine, but you need to know.

Having said that, I would say that any advanced degree is almost always a waste of time unless you're getting it to fill a very specific need (that you are 100% sure that the degree will fill). Also, contrary to the actions of many, not being able to find a job isn't usually a problem that another degree will fix.

 

[Jake]

I think the cost would be the big decider here for me. It would be a nice experience to live in Spain for a year, especially if you come out on the other side with a useful degree. However, you need to know what you're paying for, a vacation or a degree. Don't get me wrong, I think both can be fine, but you need to know.

Having said that, I would say that any advanced degree is almost always a waste of time unless you're getting it to fill a very specific need (that you are 100% sure that the degree will fill). Also, contrary to the actions of many, not being able to find a job isn't usually a problem that another degree will fix.

I agree. What's the cost and would you learn just as much moving out there for a year and spending time networking with people in the industry? Might turn out to be cheaper and more valuable.

 

[Arlec]

I probably should have mentioned this early on...but the degree focuses on entrepreneurship within the music industry. Throughout the year various classes highlight the industry and where it is headed within the next five years in order to help students be successful and forward thinking. Does that change any opinions?

Thanks again for all of your input guys.

 

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[MartinV]

I probably should have mentioned this early on...but the degree focuses on entrepreneurship within the music industry. Throughout the year various classes highlight the industry and where it is headed within the next five years in order to help students be successful and forward thinking. Does that change any opinions?

Thanks again for all of your input guys.

Doesn't sound terribly useful to be, but this is a very industry specific question that you should really be researching in places devoted to the music industry. You may get lucky and find someone with relevant experience here, but you'd have much better odds in a place with lots of music industry veterans. Imo, before making any decisions, you need to spend a at least couple of weeks learning everything you can possibly learn about your industry.

 

[Kak]

I have my BBA, I just pay about 1200 bucks/month on my student loans (mostly to pay them off faster). It blows, that is seriously an S class and a new bay boat. I do have em down to about 5k now. I'm not even using my degree to get me anything. I might as well have just said I have a BBA on linkedin to lend credibility because a little credibility is all my $120k degree got me.

 

[Lights]

It depends on the cost. If it's payable within a short time, then do it.

 

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[LamboMP]

How many more of these education threads are we going to get. Can someone make one of them a sticky, so the same questions do not get repeated?

Only you can decide if its worth it. As MJ says, there are too many different variables in everyones life, no one person is the same.

 

[Chris_Willow]

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't pay for my BA. Luckily, it's easy to get free education here.
Unless you've got a huge social circle, getting your masters can keep you sane while you dwell on your business.
Not to mention you'll be studying something that interests you, which is great.

 

[Vigilante]

I think you should go for it. We need more MBA's and less people with real world experience. The people the are the most impressed with MBA's are... other people with MBA's.

I think MBA's make the best sandwich artists.

 

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[mayana]

I think MBA's make the best sandwich artists.

Hey! I have an MBA... hahaha... I actually took a job as a cook at a restaurant after I graduated with it, though... lol. Seriously. So, yes, sandwich artists, yes.

(The reason I took the job at the restaurant was so I cook work on my business, though

My personal advice would be to only do it if you absolutely NEED to, or if you don't think you'll do anything else constructive with your time AS LONG AS it wouldn't put you in debt.

While my masters classes were interesting and fun, and I did learn (I, too, did an entrepreneurship focus), it wasn't anything that I couldn't have learned by reading and real-world experience.

You're asking an opinion on a multi-variat equation with the constants unknown, since they are inherent in yourself.

This is pretty much the answer, though. It's whatever you feel like you should do.

Good luck on making your decision!

How many more of these education threads are we going to get. Can someone make one of them a sticky, so the same questions do not get repeated?

Ditto.

 

[InMotion]

AS LONG AS it wouldn't put you in debt.

Right on...if you want to go the job route then go get a job, with a large or midsize company, ask in the second or third interviews if they would pay for your MBA, and get the company to pay for it...I would never pay out of pocket for an MBA.

 

[Kak]

I have a BBA and just hired an MBA...

 

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[Skys]

Getting an education when you can afford it and when you do it for the right reasons... can never go wrong.