Is a bachelor's degree enough?

r32 · Post by **r32** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:28 am

Do you think a bachelor's degree is enough for having a good job or you should also go for the master's degree?

In what field do you think a bachelor's degree might be enough?

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FinnBrit · Post by **FinnBrit** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:36 pm

It depends more on whether or not you speak Finnish. The Finns are pretty keen on higher education so a Master's degree is definitely a bonus, but they don't look at degrees as a 'standard of education' here. Having a degree is only useful if it directly relates to the job you are applying for (i.e. UK employers might be interested in psychology graduates for a range of positions, but in Finland it is only helpful if you want to be a psychologist) so I would suggest not bothering if you don't have a specific job in mind. There are plenty of jobs out there for holders of a Bachelor's degree, but speaking Finnish is a prerequisite to almost all of them..

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:07 pm

depends on what you want to be when you grow up?

mind you, its not a bad idea to have a "hands-on" profession as well as then an academic one

r32 · Post by **r32** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:21 pm

Pursuivant wrote:depends on what you want to be when you grow up?

mind you, its not a bad idea to have a "hands-on" profession as well as then an academic one

Is there a substantial financial difference when working, if you have a master's degree?

EP · Post by EP » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:26 pm

Is there a substantial financial difference when working, if you have a master's degree?

Only if you are a teacher. The difference comes in in a hiring situation. If there are two otherwise equal candidates, they might hire the one with masters.

r32 · Post by **r32** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:32 pm

EP wrote:
Is there a substantial financial difference when working, if you have a master's degree?
they might hire the one with masters.

They will hire the one which has master's degree only for the experience, but it doesn't mean that he will also get better pay true?

r32 · Post by **r32** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:33 pm

EP wrote:
Is there a substantial financial difference when working, if you have a master's degree?
Only if you are a teacher. The difference comes in in a hiring situation. If there are two otherwise equal candidates, they might hire the one with masters.

So, the difference comes when talking about hiring situation. The employer will choose the one which has a master's degree because he/she has extra experience, but it doesn't mean that he will get also better pay for that...

r32 · Post by **r32** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:34 pm

r32 wrote:
EP wrote:
Is there a substantial financial difference when working, if you have a master's degree?
they might hire the one with masters.

Thanks guys for your comments! Sorry for the 3 posts but something went wrong with my internet and I've pressed submit more then once.

EP · Post by EP » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:40 pm

Nobody with an ordinary job gets a better pay.

There are so many people with two masters (and doctors on top of that). Masters is more like a rule. They pay you for what you DO. Bachelors/masters/doctors is there so that they can decide if you are qualified to do it.

r32 · Post by **r32** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:51 pm

EP wrote:Nobody with an ordinary job gets a better pay.

There are so many people with two masters (and doctors on top of that). Masters is more like a rule. They pay you for what you DO. Bachelors/masters/doctors is there so that they can decide if you are qualified to do it.

Thank you very much EP! It's really useful for me to know more about the master's degree.

Have nice weekend!

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:00 pm

the difference is if you are hired to a "office" where they have govenment standards and requires a "higher degree". so like for a teacher you can be hired as a temporary filler to the "office" but as you are "unqualified" you get a lower salary. so that is with anything smelling of public jobs. not so much in the private sector... though they tend to seek "diploma engineers" for some jobs rather than your bachelor engineers.

enk · Post by **enk** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:07 pm

At least with translators, the jobs will go to the ones with Master's, especially
for languages that are offered at the uni. You also have to remember
that for the last 15 or so years, Finns have earned their Master's without
earning their Bachelor's first. So anybody who has a degree has at least
a Master's.

-enk

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