[TMA] Postgraduate Education

[Grendelfreak]

As there are a number of people on FHC who have done/doing Postgraduate courses (isint Yuto a lecturer or something?) I figure this would be a good place in asking the pros and cons of myself undertaking a Masters in International Politics or something along those lines. I did some quick googling but most on the info is U.S. specific and I don't know how it relates to Australia.


Also what can you tell me about going into Academia as a career? I admit it is not probable for me atm but just exploring my options.

[Spaztick]

If you're anything like me you will be lazy about getting your actual masters thesis done.

[hippoking]

Ask me again in 4 years (starting my PhD in October).

[Aphyd]

PhD checkin' in.

I can't contribute much except to say that I was so sick of academia by the end of it that I never looked back from industry. It takes a special kind of mind to enjoy the ultimately aimless path of most theoretical research fields.

Still, the qualification opened lots of doors. Wouldn't be in my current job without it.

[Lallante]

Ask me again in 4 years (starting my PhD in October).

Wait what? I remember when you were like 17, last tuesday

[Exortius]

Starting my Masters in August yo

[lt]

Ask me again in 4 years (starting my PhD in October).

Wait what? I remember when you were like 17, last tuesday

I thought HK started uni 2009? And shortly after started to post less and less.

[Morax Marbas]

Doing a Masters is definately worth it imo. Shouldn't be all that hard either if you are not a lazy bint.

PhD and further is a bit of the question what you would like to do with your life really. Just doing a PhD for teh lulz is not advisable (Ask me about alot of work and shit payment). If you plan to work in the Industry it all depends on the actual field of work. E.g. a PhD in Media"sciences" won't get you a payment that makes up for the years you had to put into the PhD
Don't know about International Politics but my educated guess would be that after the Master it's not worth it unless you plan to go the academic route.

Also for Hippo doing a PhD is pretty much the only option with that haircut

[Laundry]

planning on either doing a masters in msc politics or msc economic and social history when i finish with this politics degree

[mitch]

I have to do a Masters. Architecture ftw.


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[GeromeDoutrande]

Do you have more specific questions regarding academic careers? I can answer general research career things myself and can ask my brother who is a working in academia in International Political Sciences if you have specific questions.

[Narmio]

Where in Australia and in what field? I'm finishing up my PhD at Sydney Uni - I actually should currently be not on the internets and be writing thesis instead. I'm hoping to get it done in the next month or two.

If you intend to get into an academic or professional research career, do a PhD. In Aus it's especially a good idea as there's no tuition fees. After working on one problem for four years I'm pretty burnt out on that individual thing, but not on the idea of research itself. If you want to do it, do it. If you decide at some point that it's not for you, just stop. It'll have cost you nothing but time.

As for an academic career, I can't really talk from personal experience as I'm not an academic *yet*, (I've got a few applications in for positions that start after I'll graduate, but I probably won't get them), but the lecturing and researching that I've done have been lots of fun.

[Lucifer Fellblade]

Depends entirely what you are doing it in, some shit it's pointless.

[Grendelfreak]

Ok some personal info: I'm finishing up my B.A. in Sociology/International Relations this year part time, and due to some on my behalf my grades suck so I can't directly get into masters BUT what I can do is go Postcert - Postdip- then Masters assuming I keep a distinction average and as far as I can tell it'll take the same amount of time as direct entry as the cert and dip can be credited. My thinking is that with a Masters i'll have a far better chance of getting into a graduate programme especially as my work experience is mainly fixing computers.

Also is there an 'ideal' uni to attend in Australia for IR/Public Policy/etc? I'm currently at UTAS in Launceston and it looks like I will have to move to Hobart if I go postgrad (bigger campus, state capital) and I figure if I can it'll be better to go back to the mainland (as well as improve my job prospects).

Lastly am I right in assuming that Masters can be paid through HECS or whatever it is called these days? And if so does it work the same for PHD?

[Narmio]

Great thing about research degrees in Australia (if you're an Australian):

All commencing higher degree by research places for eligible domestic students are funded by the Australian Government under the Research Training Scheme (RTS). The RTS place entitles the student to a maximum period of four years of tuition fee exempt candidature to undertake a PhD program or two years of tuition fee exempt candidature to undertake a Masters program.

[Evil Synns]

10 years ago a Degree was the normal, with a Honour getting you ahead of the pack
Now a 1:1 honour is the normal with a PG/Masters getting you ahead of the pack
10 years from now, Masters will be the normal with a PHD... WAIT no.... I don't want a fucking retard who has spent YEARS working on something new.

MASTERS FTW!

[Draycar Hazaran]

Currently 2/3 of the way through my masters in Information Assurance. Sooo ready to be done. I want my life back. I recommend either working or taking the classes part time, not doing both full time.

[hippoking]

Ask me again in 4 years (starting my PhD in October).

Wait what? I remember when you were like 17, last tuesday

I was 17 when SHC started up, now I'm 22. Time moves fast.

[Grendelfreak]

Currently 2/3 of the way through my masters in Information Assurance. Sooo ready to be done. I want my life back. I recommend either working or taking the classes part time, not doing both full time.

Looks like i'll sponge off centrelink next year

[Exortius]

Ask me again in 4 years (starting my PhD in October).

Wait what? I remember when you were like 17, last tuesday

I was 17 when SHC started up, now I'm 22. Time moves fast.

I always forget that we're the same age.

o/\o