subject: Postgraduate Studies: The Rationale From Students Perspective [print this page] Currently, postgraduate studies gained wide popularity among many graduates. The reasons for such popularity are numerous including the truly banal ones. The reasons focus on staying in the student status for a longer period, or gaining a higher social status. It is difficult to discuss whether such reasons as the aforementioned justify the expenses, the time, and the efforts needed for postgraduate studies. Thus, this article will attempt to discuss the rationale for postgraduate studies, and the cases when postgraduate studies are necessary for students.
Different Perspectives of the Rationale
The first thing to mention is the fact that not all postgraduate students devote their time to science. Most of the reasons revolve around raising ones qualifications, which in turn is directly connected to professional careers. At the same time, it cannot be stated that for most careers such decision is justified. Thus, should students consider postgraduate studies? Well, if main intention is an interest in science, research activities, or a work in the academia, then the answer will be definitely positive.
For representatives of other professions, which are unrelated to science, research, or teaching, the answers are not so unambiguous. Such decisions should not be relied only on desired status or other irrelevant factors. The pros of cons in each individual situation should be weighed carefully, including the costs of postgraduate studies, the time, and the efforts required to meet the degree requirements.
Accordingly, the latter implies that students should regularly attend seminars and lectures, not to mention the process of writing the dissertation. At the same time, the justification of those investments, including career advancement, incentives or rewards, is not guaranteed. Many employers might prefer experience and competencies rather than a postgraduate degree, studying for which, by the way, students might lose their qualifications, if they did not work while studying.
