The Pros and Cons of Part Time Post Graduate Studies

Once students are done with their basic college education and graduate proudly out of their institutions, career and education questions still loom pretty large. People today are often torn between carrying on and studying further to do a Master's degree or then jumping headlong into the job market for the career of their choice. A part time post graduate course can offer you a fine medium path and the popularity of post graduate courses like part time MBAs and other part time Master's programs is testament to this fact.

When considering whether to continue the life of academia and take on further education, every individual has their own reasons. For some it may be to advance their career, for some to get their foot in the door or a certain prestigious company, for some it may be to get better chances abroad and for others it could be to further themselves in their professional life or to get an education in a related or ancillary field. Before you take on the additional load of doing a Master's program it is essential to first assess what your goals for doing so are and how the degree you are looking at will help you reach those goals in the most ideal way possible. Only then can you figure out whether a full time or part time course makes more sense for you and your ambitions.

If you are leaning towards a part time study program, let us take a look at a few pros and cons of going down this path -

Pros -

There is more flexibility – One of the biggest boons of doing a part time course like a part time MBA is that you can further your career goals alongside. You can start working and make the headway you need to establish yourself in your chosen field, while giving yourself the added education and degree which further enhances your knowledge as well as plumps up your resume. There is also less chances of relocation and less time and money spent on commuting and other such issues. Gaining both an education and work experience is tough to beat.

It is less expensive – Part time degree courses are usually less expensive than their full time counterparts. This is an incentive for those on a tight budget and also you can be earning a pay packet while you are studying. Some employers also encourage their employees to take on part time studies and often finance the same.

Cons -

Your schedule can get demanding – Concentrating on both a job and an education can be very taxing  and tiring for some students. Both will demand equal importance and it can be difficult to strike a proper balance to give justice to both aspects of your life.

It may feel lacking – For some students, the point of doing a Master's or a post graduate program is to get the experience in its entirety. On campus projects, the extended interaction with like minded peers and more college organised events etc. will be a few things you may miss out on.

Before committing to any study program, always consider what you want from the experience. An educated decision is a must.