Master or work?
Hello. According to statistics, there are quite a few people at the hub who are students and also want to build their careers in the field of software development. Therefore, I decided to write an article in which I will discuss a little about the advantages of work and a magistracy, and also try to evaluate each of these options.
So, we are finishing our undergraduate studies in Russia. Over the years, we have become acquainted with the basics of mathematical analysis, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, probability theory and statistics. In addition, we learned basic algorithms and data structures, touched electronics / artificial intelligence / data processing / databases / something else specialized. We also completed several course projects, thereby studying a couple of new modern “trending” technologies (Node.JS, MV * javascript frameworks, NoSQL, JavaEE / Spring, ASP.NET MVC, QT, Xamarin, etc.). In general, we got intro in those areas that are of interest to us.
Also, do not forget that some of us have already gained experience. At a minimum, all had summer internships / practices that allowed them to see how adult uncles work.
To summarize what we, average students, are after graduation. I think we are ordinary juniors in the field in which they specialized and performed their term papers.
Let's appreciate the advantages of a magistracy. Master's program is:
Higher degree. It is believed that in Russia for a long time, bachelors will be "undergraduates." It is also believed that soon all vacancies (not in IT firms) will include the item “MD required”, and not “higher education required”.
Arguments for:
The arguments against:
More serious theoretical knowledge. Indeed, in some universities you will be able to pump well. This is the Academic University in St. Petersburg, this is the program of Yandex and ABBYY Lingvo in Moscow, this is the master's program in Kontur in Yekaterinburg. However, unfortunately, most graduate schools do not pump you additionally. Therefore, if you can enter the programs listed above - act, it will only benefit. Otherwise, I relate this paragraph to the cons.
Two years that you can spend on something of your own. Indeed, this time you have. But is it true that all graduates are future CEOs / cofounders? What prevented you from doing your project during your undergraduate studies? Roughly speaking, the item is quite controversial, and it is individual for each of us.
Simplification of emigration to some countries. This item goes unambiguously to the piggy bank "for" the magistracy. If you want to move, think about this item. So far, BD is enough for the move, but what will happen next is not clear.
An opportunity to move to Europe / USA with the help of a magistracy. Again, the item goes to the piggy bank “for” the magistracy. If you can enter a foreign magistracy, then there’s nothing to think about - do it!
Now about the minuses of the magistracy:
There is no way to work 40 hours a week. Many combine work and study in a magistracy. However, is it so convenient? Working 20 hours, we do not get all the experience, and we also have a smaller list of companies where we can work. Working 40 hours, we practically do not appear at school: but then the point is in admission (entered - study!).
A waste of two years of life. This item is controversial. It depends a lot on where we can go. The item has something in common with More serious theoretical knowledge (one of the advantages of a magistracy).
To summarize the option - to study at the magistracy. If we can go to a decent place where you can really draw knowledge - then this is really a good option. As a bonus, we get a move to another country (if this master's degree is not in Russia), or some bonus when emigrating (if this master's degree is in Russia). As another bonus (albeit a small one) is the improvement of the crusts. Otherwise, the magistracy is a very dubious occupation that will not allow you to start building a career (and go to the rank of middle for those two years of the magistracy).
We proceed immediately to the advantages of choosing Work as a further stage of development after undergraduate studies. So, work is:
The ability to grow from junior to middle in 2 years. During this time, you will improve your practical skills. This will allow you to move to the next level, moving from performing simple tasks (which usually go to juniors) to more interesting ones.
Salary. A very dubious point for a programmer. Who wants money - has long had it at this point (good, no one canceled freelance).
Lack of formal routine. If you are lucky to get into a normal company, then most likely you will forget how to write numerous reports, and even less such a nasty word as Gost and Standards.
Cons of work:
No MD. We have already discussed this item in the section related to the magistracy. Here everyone has to decide for himself whether he will receive pluses from MD and a steeper crust.
Emigration to another country can be complicated. Yes, probably this is true. For example, if you move to Canada, MD before BD will bring you some extra points in the competition.
So, as we can see, the pros and cons of work are practically opposite to the pros and cons of the magistracy (which is logical, when choosing from two orthogonal options). The work will allow us to grow faster as engineers, but it will completely ruin our career in high school (and, a lot of where, in R&D) science. Is it scary - everyone decides it for himself.
To summarize the article. The pros and cons of both work and master's degree are very obvious. Work is a real experience. Learning is a crust and, possibly, theoretical knowledge. Which is better - only you.
It would be interesting to hear your comments in the comments. If you are a supervisor, are you looking at a degree, or is it only important for you to have it? If you are an employee, have you often been asked what your degree is, or were you hired solely because of your knowledge and experience.
So, we are finishing our undergraduate studies in Russia. Over the years, we have become acquainted with the basics of mathematical analysis, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, probability theory and statistics. In addition, we learned basic algorithms and data structures, touched electronics / artificial intelligence / data processing / databases / something else specialized. We also completed several course projects, thereby studying a couple of new modern “trending” technologies (Node.JS, MV * javascript frameworks, NoSQL, JavaEE / Spring, ASP.NET MVC, QT, Xamarin, etc.). In general, we got intro in those areas that are of interest to us.
Also, do not forget that some of us have already gained experience. At a minimum, all had summer internships / practices that allowed them to see how adult uncles work.
To summarize what we, average students, are after graduation. I think we are ordinary juniors in the field in which they specialized and performed their term papers.
The first way - Master
Let's appreciate the advantages of a magistracy. Master's program is:
- Higher degree;
- More serious theoretical knowledge;
- Two years that you can spend on something of your own (startup, reading books, etc.);
- Simplification of emigration to some countries (to Canada, for example);
- An opportunity to move to Europe / USA with the help of a magistracy;
Higher degree. It is believed that in Russia for a long time, bachelors will be "undergraduates." It is also believed that soon all vacancies (not in IT firms) will include the item “MD required”, and not “higher education required”.
Arguments for:
- It may well be that such a demand will appear: in Russia everything is changing rapidly;
The arguments against:
- You guys want to be programmers? The maximum that is now in the vacancies is a requirement of higher education. Nobody writes about the magistracy. For interest, you can open western vacancies, there in 99% of vacancies the requirement is BD, not MD. Remember that the main thing is experience and skills, not a crust.
- It is believed that MD is needed only in order to develop towards the scientist. MD is a requirement for admission to PhD.
More serious theoretical knowledge. Indeed, in some universities you will be able to pump well. This is the Academic University in St. Petersburg, this is the program of Yandex and ABBYY Lingvo in Moscow, this is the master's program in Kontur in Yekaterinburg. However, unfortunately, most graduate schools do not pump you additionally. Therefore, if you can enter the programs listed above - act, it will only benefit. Otherwise, I relate this paragraph to the cons.
Two years that you can spend on something of your own. Indeed, this time you have. But is it true that all graduates are future CEOs / cofounders? What prevented you from doing your project during your undergraduate studies? Roughly speaking, the item is quite controversial, and it is individual for each of us.
Simplification of emigration to some countries. This item goes unambiguously to the piggy bank "for" the magistracy. If you want to move, think about this item. So far, BD is enough for the move, but what will happen next is not clear.
An opportunity to move to Europe / USA with the help of a magistracy. Again, the item goes to the piggy bank “for” the magistracy. If you can enter a foreign magistracy, then there’s nothing to think about - do it!
Now about the minuses of the magistracy:
- There is no way to work 40 hours a week (either, it will be extremely difficult);
- A waste of two years of life: no one will appreciate MD, but you will have to do a lot of formal things (GOSy in philosophy, explanatory note for a dissertation in accordance with GOST, teaching activities).
There is no way to work 40 hours a week. Many combine work and study in a magistracy. However, is it so convenient? Working 20 hours, we do not get all the experience, and we also have a smaller list of companies where we can work. Working 40 hours, we practically do not appear at school: but then the point is in admission (entered - study!).
A waste of two years of life. This item is controversial. It depends a lot on where we can go. The item has something in common with More serious theoretical knowledge (one of the advantages of a magistracy).
To summarize the option - to study at the magistracy. If we can go to a decent place where you can really draw knowledge - then this is really a good option. As a bonus, we get a move to another country (if this master's degree is not in Russia), or some bonus when emigrating (if this master's degree is in Russia). As another bonus (albeit a small one) is the improvement of the crusts. Otherwise, the magistracy is a very dubious occupation that will not allow you to start building a career (and go to the rank of middle for those two years of the magistracy).
Way Two - Work
We proceed immediately to the advantages of choosing Work as a further stage of development after undergraduate studies. So, work is:
- The ability to grow from junior to middle in 2 years;
- Salary;
- The absence of the formal routine that exists at the institute;
The ability to grow from junior to middle in 2 years. During this time, you will improve your practical skills. This will allow you to move to the next level, moving from performing simple tasks (which usually go to juniors) to more interesting ones.
Salary. A very dubious point for a programmer. Who wants money - has long had it at this point (good, no one canceled freelance).
Lack of formal routine. If you are lucky to get into a normal company, then most likely you will forget how to write numerous reports, and even less such a nasty word as Gost and Standards.
Cons of work:
- No MD;
- Emigration to another country may be complicated;
No MD. We have already discussed this item in the section related to the magistracy. Here everyone has to decide for himself whether he will receive pluses from MD and a steeper crust.
Emigration to another country can be complicated. Yes, probably this is true. For example, if you move to Canada, MD before BD will bring you some extra points in the competition.
So, as we can see, the pros and cons of work are practically opposite to the pros and cons of the magistracy (which is logical, when choosing from two orthogonal options). The work will allow us to grow faster as engineers, but it will completely ruin our career in high school (and, a lot of where, in R&D) science. Is it scary - everyone decides it for himself.
To summarize the article. The pros and cons of both work and master's degree are very obvious. Work is a real experience. Learning is a crust and, possibly, theoretical knowledge. Which is better - only you.
It would be interesting to hear your comments in the comments. If you are a supervisor, are you looking at a degree, or is it only important for you to have it? If you are an employee, have you often been asked what your degree is, or were you hired solely because of your knowledge and experience.