Perspective from grad school: Master’s degrees matter

Abstract

Graduate students have a lot on their plates. They are expected to do exceptional research, publish frequently, take classes, teach, train new students ... the list goes on and on. Eventually, the primary tasks become finding a job and graduating. An issue that can affect these fledgling chemists is the lack of information and support for those facing the decision between master’s and doctoral degrees. The availability of more information about this decision might eliminate the population of graduate students without clear career goals who stay in grad school because they see no other option. In my experience as a chemistry graduate student, a master’s degree is viewed with contempt even though there are a significant number of jobs in chemistry for applicants with a master’s degree. Yes, these are frequently “limited” to jobs in industry—another idea that is often viewed with contempt by those in academia—but that does not