Left my job for a Master's?!

The idea of pursuing a master's may have crossed your mind in your early career stage and if you have been considering it, I hope this post helps you alil:) I just started my first sem so I'm also figuring things out here as I go as well!!

Here are some of my reasons for pursuing:

🎖️Self Fulfillment/Personal Growth

- I always believe in investing in yourself and staying competitive.

- I have a strong passion and urge to return to school to expand my thinking.

- Sense of achievement!!

- I personally just believe in higher education :)

- A mini restart to life (leaving your old life that you built, leaving your comfort zone)

- Independence as you figure the visa to housing.

💼 Build local networks, leveraging school career services

- Going abroad to do your masters gives you the leverage to build local networks and be immersed in the culture.

- My school is known to have a really strong alumni/network and responsive career service. I took advantage of it by attending as many career events and sessions.

- Possibility for internship/in-school positions

✨New Environment/Culture

- I got to experience American culture (tailgating, football games, bonfire etc)

- Learn how to "small talk"

- Made many friends from different states, every one is super diverse!

- Change in the environment was much needed after being in Singapore for my whole life. (saw this as a mini break from working 9-7pm)

- Living abroad for a period of time isn't the same as doing a semester exchange (you are just there to have fun vs intentionally working hard to eventually find a job locally)

📖Broaden your knowledge/future opportunities

- Learning new things everyday, US politics/context

- Improve articulating your thoughts and participation in class

- Leveraging the master's to career switch

- Doing a master's guarantees you a 1 year OPT and if it's a STEM designated degree, you can apply for an extension of two more years. This means you have a higher chance to work abroad via a master's vs job search online

- Truth is in certain fields... majority of your competitors have a master's..it's better to stay competitive than to be on an uneven playing field. Don't get me wrong! work experience is equally valuable however there are people out there with both 😭

I have been going back and forth with my decision for the last few years and eventually decided to just apply and see how it goes! I was only aiming for the top tier schools hence my ultimatum was to only enter a good school or not go at all. I was kiasu🤣 Applications to US universities are highly competitive so start early if you do intend to go! My process took me almost a year👀

It's not about whether it's right or not but the experience that matters 🤍

lmk if i should share more!!

#masters #MyLemon8Diary #studentlife #MySelfCare