Gap Year or Master’s: What to do after Graduation? !

Now that you have graduated, you are faced with a tough decision. You could continue with the student mindset and go for a Master’s or get some experience instead. How do you decide? Well, most students follow in the footsteps of their older siblings or peers. If you’re lucky, that strategy will work out for you. But this just means going with the flow instead of taking your life decisions into your own hands.

Occasionally making small decisions based on external opinions is fine. Such impactful choices, on the other hand, determine your future professional trajectory and personal growth. Let’s break down the pros and cons of going for a master’s or taking a gap year after graduation!

Master’s
Pros
1. You’re in the right headspace. You could be one of those people who, after moving out of the education space, finds it difficult to go back in. If going to work will put you in a comfort zone that you cannot escape, taking up a master’s can be suitable. Not only will you have better educational qualifications for a job, but you also won’t have to worry about things left undone. Instead of being on the backburner, a graduate degree can accelerate your growth.

2. Timing a master’s is also important. Many students are worried about studying abroad in a post-pandemic recovering economy. To them, we say only one thing, you can invest in yourself and your education now to reap the benefits of a healthy economy by the time you have the degree in hand. Not only will that give you a leg up against the competition, but you will also have used your time productively to full fruition.

Cons
1. Conversely, you don’t know what you want to study. Going abroad to study just because everyone is doing it is not a good solution. If you need the time to figure out what you want to study and where you want to pursue a graduate degree, take this time to explore. There is no timer on when you can get your master’s. So forget rushing and think about what makes sense for you now.

2. Financing is a major consideration when studying abroad. If going for a master’s now puts you under a financial strain, you might be pushed to consider postponing it. There are a lot of financing options in terms of scholarships, fellowships, and more. Despite that, a master’s may not be viable. You could take some time working on/planning your finances before you apply.

Gap Year
Pros
1. Taking some time off for introspection and exploration can be an almost meditative experience. And if you have no idea what you want to pursue as a career, this is the time to find out. Get some work experience, learn a new language, and volunteer in a different country. The possibilities are endless. And the best part, all of these experiences will not only add to your personal growth and help you decide what you want to study but also take your college application a notch up.

2. This also gives you the time to perfect your master’s application. If for some reason you didn’t have the time or resources to work on your application during your undergrad, this year can be the buffer you needed. Add the slew of experiences you gained and that application will be perfect.

Cons
1. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have time. And then, you end up wasting a year having left all your grand plans incomplete. Unlike school where you had the pressure of exams and assignment deadlines, learning to work by yourself can be difficult. Take this as a learning curve and push yourself to get better.

2. As we mentioned earlier, you may not want to leave your comfort zone once you have started working. Studying, working, and then studying again can be a series of changes that you may not be comfortable with. This can lead to professional stagnation as well.

Now that you have the pros and cons of each option, figure out which fits your needs and plans. And if you still need some help, reach out to us today!

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