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Learn about me & my missionOctober 05th, 2008 | What To Do With Yourself After Your Master's Degree? Plans for the Future
This text was fully written by a human.
- I’ve been contemplating a major life change, focusing on travel and the possibility of pursuing my PhD studies abroad, rather than sticking to my current plan of staying and completing my studies locally.
- Considering my options, I’m evaluating staying in my current routine, heading to the USA for a competitive but intense program, moving to Germany for a shorter, English-taught PhD with the bonus of German culture, or studying in Sweden with its well-regarded university and proximity to Warsaw.
- While each option has its own set of challenges and benefits, I’m still undecided and contemplating how to balance my academic goals with the excitement of exploring new places and opportunities.
What Am I Thinking About This Long Journey?
After all, I’ve been dreaming about the next few years, and my thoughts mostly revolve around one thing: travel. Up until now, I was sure my path was to study here, finish what needs to be done in 6 years, and then spend the next 4 years pursuing my PhD studies at MISMaP.
But now it seems things might not be set in stone… This summer has shown me that life doesn’t have to be as dull as it feels now.
It’s time to gather my courage and make a change. Yes, there are options:
What Is Option No. 1?
Staying put and getting stuck in the routine back home. There are plenty of loopholes in the law, so you could survive on various things, even homegrown cannabis.
But it means continuing to blend in, pretending to care about conversations. And feeling trapped in a shell, pretending to be someone you’re not.
What Is Option No. 2?
Heading to the USA for my doctorate in two years, if they accept me, that is. The competition there is fierce. Those folks are like machines, so you better be ready for the intensity.
But the ambiance and food are top-notch! I won’t delve into the other perks to avoid making enemies :)
Unfortunately, a doctorate there takes a whopping 6 years, and you only get 10 days of vacation annually! According to the National Science Foundation’s Survey of Earned Doctorates, the median time to a U.S. research doctorate is around 5 to 6 years.
What Is Option No. 3?
Germany. It seems there’s a purpose behind everything, or at least that’s been the pattern in my humble life. This time, my eight years of German classes from primary and secondary school could finally come in handy.
Germany excels in Neuroscience, and their doctoral programs are fully conducted in English. Plus, Germans have a sense of humor, and don’t forget Rammstein! The cherry on top?
The PhD lasts only 3 years. According to Eurydice (European Commission), a German doctoral thesis has no prescribed completion time.
What Is Option No. 4?
Sweden: Similar reasons to Germany. A four-year doctorate, but Lund University is highly regarded. According to Eurydice (European Commission), a Swedish doctorate covers 240 credits, equal to four years.
Plus, it’s not terribly far away… just an hour’s flight from Warsaw to Copenhagen and another hour by train to the university.
Swedes are sharp, you know, though their youth leans more towards punk rock than metal, as it turns out.
And they say Sweden is stunning. I’ll trust the word on that.
Take a break from science and earn some extra cash. Why not? But I worry my mind might go blank, or I’d forget everything I’ve worked so hard to learn.
Or worse, after five or six years of intense studying, I might not be able to sell anything. According to Granovetter (1973), most jobs come through personal contacts rather than formal applications. That would be quite the disappointment, and it’s not unlikely.
So, there you have it, a bunch of options for now :) What will I choose? The answer remains a mystery for now!
Please cite as:
Bielczyk, N.
(2008, October 5th). What To Do With Yourself After Your Master’s Degree? Plans for the Future. Retrieved from: https://nataliabielczyk.com/what-to-do-with-yourself-after-your-masters-degree/
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