Article Contents
Higher qualification and job experience both seem too obvious in the 21st century. So, as an youth what should you value more? Should you keep pursuing educational degrees or take up an entry job with basic education? Hello everybody! This article is little different from my previous articles. It has very little economics content in it. This is a very common question which every individual needs to answer for themselves sooner or later. Should you bet on higher qualification or a better job experience?
We serve unlimited knowledge with zero sign-up fees. Please enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new articles by email. Remember, knowledge is the new currency that serves the best return!!!
In this confusing world, we all are seeking answers to something or the other. But given the current career scenario, our generation is definitely yet struggling to find that perfect job. After my bachelors there were two sets of people: the first group took up corporate jobs, and the second group decided to study further. After the master’s again, the game was repeated! Some took up a job, and some decided to study further. So how to decide the strategy between higher qualification versus a job?
Well, I agree that one might say (without even thinking twice) ‘to be financially independent, you need to take up the first job opportunity you receive’. I took up mine when I was 20. They used to pay me INR 2,500 per month. I used to work for an hour, one day a week. Along with that I was studying for my master’s entrance exams and some other exams.
The Background: Higher Qualification or Job Experience?!
Whether you should carry on with your education or take up a job? Well… seriously speaking, nobody can ever answer that question for you! You need to first decide if you want to enter the corporate world, the academic world, the glam world (theaters, YouTube channels, small screen/big screen acting so on, and so forth) or be an entrepreneur. Some jobs in the corporate world aren’t easy. I met this finance guy the other day. He was promised 35K per month (sounds good for a 21-year-old?) but he was receiving only 10K. Now the catch that he missed was ‘even though he was in the finance department his work was to bring customers and he would receive the entire pay only if he completed his target’.
So jobs are a bit tricky… pick yours carefully. If you have convincing power go for target-oriented jobs. On the other hand, a YouTuber (who May be less educated) can earn more than a business tycoon. For the corporate sector; experience counts. In the academic sector higher qualification is important. And in the glam sector talent is needed. If you want to be an entrepreneur, start-up capital, luck, and market knowledge is crucial.
Can we use mathematics and economics to make a decision?
Let us now take a look at a model. The weak point of any model is that it works on assumptions. So, we are bound to take some assumptions here. We will assume our individual has achieved his bachelor’s degree and decide if he should take up a job or pursue a master’s degree. Assuming the bachelor’s degree is important because there are no decent jobs available for school pass outs. A master’s degree involves two years of commitment. Again, we are assuming that our individual representative is not earning (like part-time or night shift employment) prior to completing his education. We will try to compare the opportunity cost between the two scenarios and come to an end result.
An employment opportunity means a salary. Let us assume the salary to be ‘x’ in the first year. We all know that every year there is a minimum hike of 10% in every job. This implies that next year our representative individual will earn additional 10% of x; i.e. 1.10x. In the third year there is an additional 10% hike. Hence, the salary should rise to 1.21x in the third year.
Now, if he takes up education he has to bear certain costs. Let, the tuition fee be ‘y’. Since master’s is a two year course, the total cost suffered will be ‘2y’. Now, after completing master’s degree an individual is only benefited if he can make up the for cost of two year education and still earn more. In other words, he should earn more than 1.21x plus two years tuition fee. Let us assume that after a masters he earns a salary of ‘z’ per anum.
I.e. he should go for masters only if 1.21x < z – 2y.
Just an opinion
Truly speaking, nobody would ever sit and calculate to decide whether he should pursue higher qualification or take up a job. So, how do make a decision on this matter? I would say… go with the flow… If after Bachelor’s degree you feel you don’t want to indulge in books. Take up a job! Maybe after a year or so you will feel there is no career growth and hence you would be mentally ready to study again. Or it may so happen that experiences and company switches/shifts help you to land your ideal career position without a master’s degree. However, one must never be scared to explore options and take career breaks. Rather I would say whenever confused, take a career break and enjoy the beautiful life. Who knows the break might help you to get a more clear vision of your career.
We are looking for interns. If you are interested please click here.
Research Intern – (i) MA/MSc in economics or Pursuing MA/MSc in economics. (ii) Should have a good command over English (iii) Should know to read and interpret data. (iv) Command over Microsoft Excel and Word
Marketing and finance Intern – (i) BBA or B.Com (Completed) or MBA or M.Com (Completed or pursuing) (ii) Should have a good command over English (iv) Command over Microsoft Office
Work Pressure: Light-medium
This article was Published by Ecofunomics LLP in the year 2018 and it was repurposed in 2022. The article was edited by Team Ecofunomics.
Simplified and excellent
Very beautifully explained
outstanding and interesting
Very nice interpretation of today’s major confusion in younger mind…
I would add one more thing.. we should never leave self improvisation during job … We should always focus on excellence and learning in any job… Money should be a second focus..
Enjoyed reading your article. Would love to see more of such articles. Good job Shreya!
Very interesting and very clearly explained.