Masters/Graduate School

SunDancer · 08-28-2003, 03:23 PM

I am a few years away from completing my Bachlor's degree in hotel and restaurant management and either Sports& Entertainment Marketing or Travel and Tourism (?) at Niagara University.

Only a soph. (full-time), I have started thinking of pursuing a Masters program after finishing up my undergraduate here. Decided between a MBA, which I can stay here in a "five-year" program, or going to a diff. school for a hospitality masters.

Our hospitality and tourism college is one of the best in the country, prolly be a top-five/six school if rankings were compelled on this day. However, our school does lack a graduate program. I have become very interested in University of Houston for the masters program, another top-tier school for this program.

Just curious for those who are going, or have, a Masters degree....do you feel "satisfied" with one? Are you glad you went? Is it basically worth it?

KevinNU7 · 08-28-2003, 03:25 PM

If you get a Masters degree in something you've pretty much done as an undergrad then you have pretty much pigeon holed yourself for the future. Why not go out and get an MBA and then you'll have more options once you are done with school.

Samdari · 08-28-2003, 04:31 PM

MBA's are a dime a dozen and add no value beyond the Bachelor's. You'd be better off in a program where you learn something.

SunDancer · 08-28-2003, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Samdari
MBA's are a dime a dozen and add no value beyond the Bachelor's. You'd be better off in a program where you learn something.

That may be, but a MBA is what will take you up, or whatever program it is you want to study. I personally thinkin of hospitality, as all it is a specificied business program, and the field I LOVE.

wbonnell · 08-28-2003, 08:27 PM

I'm a software engineer with a computer science degree. After a few part-time semesters pursuing a master's degree in software engineering, I decided to drop out and pursue something altogether different: philosophy! I still intend to develop software; indeed, I've managed to move up the tech ladder rather quickly. However, I feel a solid, liberal education can do more for me as a person (and, consequently, employee) than acquiring more technical knowledge which is seemingly antiquated by the time it finds it way to a textbook. In short, consider focusing more on avocational pursuits. You'll learn a lot more about yourself and the world.

JPhillips · 08-28-2003, 08:31 PM

Wbonnell: I wholeheartedly agree. My almost history minor(enough classes, but not the right ones) has served my theatre career as well as any theatre training. The more rounded you are the better person and hence employee you become.

wbonnell · 08-28-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JPhillips
Wbonnell: I wholeheartedly agree. My almost history minor(enough classes, but not the right ones) has served my theatre career as well as any theatre training. The more rounded you are the better person and hence employee you become.

At the same time, I'm sympathetic to someone who has yet to break into the increasingly competitve job market. It's easy to espouse liberal education when I'm already well established. Still, if I could go back, I'd double major in math or computer science or computer engineering and philosophy or history.

Think of the kind of thinker a dual math/philosophy curriculum would produce?

JPhillips · 08-28-2003, 08:46 PM

Wbonnell: As I get farther in my theatre theory class in my MFA program we can discuss art theory of Plato, Aristotle, Hagel, Nietsche and Kant!

wbonnell · 08-28-2003, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JPhillips
Wbonnell: As I get farther in my theatre theory class in my MFA program we can discuss art theory of Plato, Aristotle, Hagel, Nietsche and Kant!

Didn't know they had something to say about art!

SunDancer · 08-29-2003, 02:16 AM

Hi guys....

Thanks....I been considering possibly a triple Major (trust me, it's less classes then you think). I am a hospitality student majoring in Hotel and Rest. Management, and am seriously considering adding, another conceration of Sports and Entertainment Marketing, to that. It's 9 more classes (I have 8 slots for elevatives, with four have to be within the hospitality and tourism department). So I would have a double major, without having the overload and graduating on time. However, philosophy has got me interested. I believe I have to take 5 or 6 philosophy course (already have to take 3 as part as our liberal arts requirements) to get a bachlors in philosophy. While I would have to take an extra semster of course, it's something I would very much considered doing and something I wouldn't mind.

Would exactly does philosophy teach you? Do you find yourself using it in your jobs? Is it a great degree to add to my hospitality and recreation degrees? Would these three be better then going for a Masters?

wbonnell · 08-29-2003, 02:01 PM

Philosophy teaches you to think for yourself, to *really* analyze a situation, and communicate effectively. It doesn't provide vocational training, but it provides an excellent foundation upon which to build a vocational career.

Abe Sargent · 08-29-2003, 05:42 PM

I have an MPA and that distinguishes me from my colleagues who have all of the MBAs. I have training in politics, they dont. In public budgeting, they don't. In city and local planning, they don't. And in fundraising, they don't. In exchange, I lost a lot of accounting specializtion and some stats.

You'd be amazed at how many bosses in the private sector actually like the MPA better for their position when I explain what training I have received and how it distinguishes me.

-Anxiety

BillyNYC · 08-29-2003, 07:00 PM

I worked in PR and customer service for 2 years after my bachelor's and went back for my MBA. Just graduated and am having a MISERABLE time with the job market. Am doing admin. temp stuff and will end up taking a job that likely pays less than I made pre-MBA. (Granted, I'm not looking in PR or customer service; fields I wanted to get OUT of, thus going for the MBA).

You have some time, so play it by ear. But in this current economy, an MBA without experience is a terrible position to be in. In the past, a young MBA would be snapped up, trained, and be all set with a company for good things. Now, training programs have been cut and most places aren't willing to invest in that.

So my Catch 22 is:
1. Not enough experience to get a job that actually wants MBAs
2. Having my MBA scare the hell out of any company that's hiring near-entry level stuff where I could gain experience, since they figure I wouldn't accept the lower salary and/or would jump ship as soon as the economy improves (they might be right...)

Still, if it's only 1 extra year to get an MBA, might not be a bad idea long-term. (And I know my MBA WILL hopefully help me in 5-50 years, but it sure isn't right now...)

SunDancer · 08-31-2003, 11:31 AM

Thanks guys...

I'm prolly will take this year and experience philosophy alittle more, and might consider adding it to my major.

What is the MPA? As noted before, I have considered getting into charitable organizations, like fund-raising arms for a local hospital. I considered starting my own. Is this would be it? Would my hotel and restaurant management and sports and entertainment marketing major ( basically a business degree focus on the hospitality and tourism industry, expect hospitality and professionalism is a major emphasis) work well with a MPA, and give me a good "background" bringing the fund-raising, budgeting together with the basis of business, professional and much higher focus of hospitality to customers, employees, ect...

08-28-2003, 03:25 PM	#2
KevinNU7 College Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Beantown	If you get a Masters degree in something you've pretty much done as an undergrad then you have pretty much pigeon holed yourself for the future. Why not go out and get an MBA and then you'll have more options once you are done with school. __________________ Boston Bashers - III.14 - (8347)

08-28-2003, 04:31 PM	#3
Samdari Roster Filler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Cicero	MBA's are a dime a dozen and add no value beyond the Bachelor's. You'd be better off in a program where you learn something. __________________ http://www.nateandellie.net Now featuring twice the babies for the same low price!

08-28-2003, 08:31 PM	#6
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	Wbonnell: I wholeheartedly agree. My almost history minor(enough classes, but not the right ones) has served my theatre career as well as any theatre training. The more rounded you are the better person and hence employee you become. __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

08-28-2003, 08:46 PM	#8
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	Wbonnell: As I get farther in my theatre theory class in my MFA program we can discuss art theory of Plato, Aristotle, Hagel, Nietsche and Kant! __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

08-29-2003, 05:42 PM	#12
Abe Sargent Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Catonsville, MD	I have an MPA and that distinguishes me from my colleagues who have all of the MBAs. I have training in politics, they dont. In public budgeting, they don't. In city and local planning, they don't. And in fundraising, they don't. In exchange, I lost a lot of accounting specializtion and some stats. You'd be amazed at how many bosses in the private sector actually like the MPA better for their position when I explain what training I have received and how it distinguishes me. -Anxiety __________________ Check out my two current weekly Magic columns! https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/?action=search&page=1&author[]=Abe%20Sargent

08-28-2003, 08:27 PM	#5
wbonnell College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Round Rock TX	I'm a software engineer with a computer science degree. After a few part-time semesters pursuing a master's degree in software engineering, I decided to drop out and pursue something altogether different: philosophy! I still intend to develop software; indeed, I've managed to move up the tech ladder rather quickly. However, I feel a solid, liberal education can do more for me as a person (and, consequently, employee) than acquiring more technical knowledge which is seemingly antiquated by the time it finds it way to a textbook. In short, consider focusing more on avocational pursuits. You'll learn a lot more about yourself and the world.

08-29-2003, 02:16 AM	#10
SunDancer College Benchwarmer Join Date: Sep 2002	Hi guys.... Thanks....I been considering possibly a triple Major (trust me, it's less classes then you think). I am a hospitality student majoring in Hotel and Rest. Management, and am seriously considering adding, another conceration of Sports and Entertainment Marketing, to that. It's 9 more classes (I have 8 slots for elevatives, with four have to be within the hospitality and tourism department). So I would have a double major, without having the overload and graduating on time. However, philosophy has got me interested. I believe I have to take 5 or 6 philosophy course (already have to take 3 as part as our liberal arts requirements) to get a bachlors in philosophy. While I would have to take an extra semster of course, it's something I would very much considered doing and something I wouldn't mind. Would exactly does philosophy teach you? Do you find yourself using it in your jobs? Is it a great degree to add to my hospitality and recreation degrees? Would these three be better then going for a Masters?

08-29-2003, 02:01 PM	#11
wbonnell College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Round Rock TX	Philosophy teaches you to think for yourself, to really analyze a situation, and communicate effectively. It doesn't provide vocational training, but it provides an excellent foundation upon which to build a vocational career.

08-29-2003, 07:00 PM	#13
BillyNYC High School JV Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Berlin, Germany	I worked in PR and customer service for 2 years after my bachelor's and went back for my MBA. Just graduated and am having a MISERABLE time with the job market. Am doing admin. temp stuff and will end up taking a job that likely pays less than I made pre-MBA. (Granted, I'm not looking in PR or customer service; fields I wanted to get OUT of, thus going for the MBA). You have some time, so play it by ear. But in this current economy, an MBA without experience is a terrible position to be in. In the past, a young MBA would be snapped up, trained, and be all set with a company for good things. Now, training programs have been cut and most places aren't willing to invest in that. So my Catch 22 is: 1. Not enough experience to get a job that actually wants MBAs 2. Having my MBA scare the hell out of any company that's hiring near-entry level stuff where I could gain experience, since they figure I wouldn't accept the lower salary and/or would jump ship as soon as the economy improves (they might be right...) Still, if it's only 1 extra year to get an MBA, might not be a bad idea long-term. (And I know my MBA WILL hopefully help me in 5-50 years, but it sure isn't right now...)

08-31-2003, 11:31 AM	#14
SunDancer College Benchwarmer Join Date: Sep 2002	Thanks guys... I'm prolly will take this year and experience philosophy alittle more, and might consider adding it to my major. What is the MPA? As noted before, I have considered getting into charitable organizations, like fund-raising arms for a local hospital. I considered starting my own. Is this would be it? Would my hotel and restaurant management and sports and entertainment marketing major ( basically a business degree focus on the hospitality and tourism industry, expect hospitality and professionalism is a major emphasis) work well with a MPA, and give me a good "background" bringing the fund-raising, budgeting together with the basis of business, professional and much higher focus of hospitality to customers, employees, ect...

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