A job or a master's degree?

Q I am a second-year student of bachelor's in computer applications (BCA) at Techno India University in Calcutta. I want to join the workforce for a year or two and then return to academics. Many people, however, are suggesting that I complete my master's degree before I take up a job. What should I do?

Shreya Khandelwal

While a university education helps develop critical and analytical skills, there is a gap between what is taught in college classrooms and what is required in the professional world. This is particularly true in the swift-moving world of technology. By the time a new technique is incorporated in textbooks, it has usually become obsolete in the real world. It has been common knowledge for the last several years that a university degree does not add substantially to our ability to manage work challenges.

If your goal is a successful career, which is what most of us want, get a well-paying job. Nothing else can teach you about work culture and professional requirements. Work experience is underrated in our country.

There are several reasons to recommend working for a few years between degrees:

1. It helps you figure out which sector you enjoy working in. You can also identify your own strengths and the areas where there is scope for improvement.

2. Basic work skills - the ability to meet deadlines and understand the requirements of a client, be a team player, manage your time properly - are learnt best on the job. They make you an attractive proposition for a company once you have the next qualification.

3. The biggest advantage of returning to academics after having worked for a few years is that you will know what is required in the workplace and can make the most of educational opportunities available to you. An understanding of the professional world will also allow you to discuss practical problems with the faculty and even complete your projects with greater insight. It becomes much easier to understand and process theoretical knowledge once you know how it is applied in the real world.

4. Work experience helps make your resume focussed and makes you an attractive proposition for employers. Some educational institutions also give preference to applicants with experience.

Working for the sake of working, without learning new things, is, however, not beneficial. Showing initiative and a willingness to learn new things is what will help you stand out in the workplace.

Since you are still at university, consider taking up internships and summer jobs. If you can do a couple of internships while still in college, it will mean you can hit the ground running when you bag a job. These days employers are getting increasingly worried about recruiting graduates with no practical knowledge or soft skills. So, if an employer finds an internship on your CV - proving that you have hands-on experience - he or she will be more likely to offer you a job. You need a judicious mix of education and work experience to forge a successful career.

Shivani Manchanda has master’s degrees in career counselling and child development. She has been counselling about opportunities in India and abroad since 1991. Mail questions to telegraphyou@gmail.com