Masters Degree?

Submitted by pokie on Fri, 2007-07-13 03:14.

Member's Forum

Anyone have one? I am seriously thinking about getting one. I have been researching a lot trying to figure out what would best suit me but I am not sure.

The only MFA program is 3 hours away and I would have to commute. Which, working full time with a family would be nearly impossible. From the local university, I could get a Master of in Liberal Arts (very vague degree, seems like most classes would be Art History which I love). The other would be Public Administration (yep, so I can run the place some day, lol).

I guess I'm wondering which would be more beneficial for me to become like an Art Director or something someday. The MLA or MPA? Neither?

The main thing with the MPA is that my work would probably be more likely to pay for it than the MLA.

I looked at it but am still debating TBH...

Submitted by plugz on Fri, 2007-07-13 03:29.

I don't know if what I'd learn is worth the time as when I've been in for interviews last year they have categorically told me that they don't want me working for clients during the degree. This is for a full time course mind you, but going on to student loans and grants would take me down to about £8000 (US$16,000) per year and after accommodation I'd be left with about £2000 to live on for the year.

I can't justify that right now and what they're offering isn't worth it to me at the moment.

The only reason I'd go and do something would be if it was more multimedia/marketing based and could crank my salary by tend of thousands, something I just don't see happening.

Still, I got accepted last year and deferred my place until this September so technically could make a snap decision and go for it. Decisions, decisions...

The program here would be ~1

Submitted by pokie on Fri, 2007-07-13 03:41.

The program here (as I understand it, but could be wrong) would be ~1 class per semester for 3 years.

The one I looked at was more intense than that...

Submitted by plugz on Fri, 2007-07-13 03:51.

But something like that would probably be worth it.
It all depends on the trade-off and hat you can/are willing to make.

Anyhoo, I must go and have a power nap, it's almost 5am and I have a meeting at 9am.

Damn these deadlines, I must learn to walk away and let things be late sometimes. If you change the spec then I change the date, that's my new rule.

Did you ever decide on anything?

Submitted by plugz on Sun, 2008-05-11 12:29.

I made an enquiry of the back of seeing an advert in a newspaper and I've been offered a place on an MSc (Masters of Science) course in Business, they didn't ask for anything other than my CV and I have a place waiting for me if I want it.

Nice result!
I gould take a year out from work and do it full time in 1 year, or alternatively do it part time over 2 years, 2 evenings per week, which looks like the most likely option, hopefully I'll be able to do it in October.

You should get a MPA because

Submitted by JobMatchNow on Wed, 2008-06-11 14:58.

You should get a MPA because you will have barley any limitations on what you can do. You could easily start your own business with the knowledge you receive from going to school. You will also make more money with a MPA degree rather then a MLA degree.

Don't waste your money

Submitted by mara06 on Wed, 2008-05-14 01:33.

You're already learning more in the field than you ever will in academia, unless you want to stay in academia for the rest of your career. If you need to sharpen your skills in specific areas, sign up for targeted workshops sponsored by software manufacturers, design gurus, marketing wizards, etc. Try out some non-degree courses at the most prestigious university you can afford; even Harvard has adult education night courses in a variety of fascinating subjects, for which the only requirement is a high school diploma and modest tuition. (It's part of their community outreach effort, for which they get public service brownie points.) Their cachet will follow you around for life, assuming you keep mentioning it on your résumé ("Post-graduate study in Semiotics for 21st Century Media, La-Di-Dah University") and you don't have to deaden your soul (or mortgage your baby sister) to go through a whole degree program there.

I think the bottom line is still your portfolio, how you present yourself in meetings, what kind of clients you can bring to a new employer, and stuff like that -- things that you often can develop better on your own, or maybe with a mentor, than by sitting in a college classroom. Of course, if you're thinking of starting into business on your own, you will need some skills you might not have yet, but again, most good colleges and universities offer classes in these things on an easy schedule and a cut-rates. Some government agencies exist that will also provide help. And there are groups like S.C.O.R.E. (the Service Corps of Retired Executives) who will give free advice, one-on-one, in a variety of specialties such as small-business management, marketing, accounting, and so on.

Be creative!

Mara

Actually, I plan to be a

Submitted by pokie on Mon, 2008-05-19 12:54.

Actually, I plan to be a professor or at the least, something administrative. I'm applying soon. After waiting for my 3rd reference for nearly a year, my boss decided she didn't want to since my supervisor already wrote me a letter of reference. Nice, huh? I'm going to see if one of my old professors will do it now. I need to get the ball rolling!

I am in the same boat

Submitted by onegirlcreative on Thu, 2008-05-22 23:06.

I have been contemplating getting my MFA for over a year now. I have 3 letters of recommendation, but one of them is from a client of mine, and unfortunately it is poorly written, so I didn't want to submit it. Before I was laid off in December, my immediate supervisor told me she would be more than happy (willing) to write a letter for me as a result. I sent her an e-mail 2 months ago, and still haven't heard back from her. I may just suck it up and turn in the 3 that I currently have. One is from a previous employer, one from a previous professor, and the other from an old client.

Anyway, I also feel that having that MFA will at least give me the opportunity to teach at the college level, as well as teach elsewhere if I decide to go that route.

The university where I would apply (my alma mater) dissuades you if you want an MFA to try and get a better design job or makes you more marketable. On the contrary, I have heard that it's almost a deterrent for an employer to hire you—they know they will have to pay you more with that MFA. I would imagine that would be the equivalent of a senior designer's salary? No?

So I figured if I could have the opportunity to teach, that would broaden my field a bit. Unfortunately, I am still unemployed and can't find anything. I live in a horrible area for graphic design. Ugh!

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com

Lost track of study

Submitted by dirkl on Thu, 2008-05-22 22:33.

I kinda lost track of my studie. Most of my classes went on about prgramming etc. Since I'm much more interested in the design subject I bought myself some books, followed tutorials and totally got lost of track with my studie. Now I'm at the stage of leaving or not leaving.

I know a degree is a must have, but I also see why a good portfolio can do you even more good. I guess I'm going to take a huge gamble on not having a degree, but having a good portfolio instead. I hope this work out for me :P

I think it depends on where you live

Submitted by onegirlcreative on Thu, 2008-05-22 23:34.

I know here in Colorado, I would say a good 95% of the ads for designer out there require you have a degree. Maybe that's their way of weeding out all of the applicants? I don't know.

I have heard, however, that in some areas it's OK to not have a degree, but it seems it's a catch 22. How could you get a good portfolio with good experience unless you have the degree? Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's how it is in my area at least.

Good luck to you, regardless.

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com

I have heard, however, that

Submitted by natobasso on Fri, 2008-05-23 15:40.

I have heard, however, that in some areas it's OK to not have a degree, but it seems it's a catch 22. How could you get a good portfolio with good experience unless you have the degree?

The catch 22 is ya gotta have experience to get experience. For me it was having one company take a chance on me and me coming through with flying colors. My portfolio or degree (BA in Spanish!) merely helped get me in the door. The rest was personality. :)

Seriously, 80-90% of the time if the company, and the fellow designers who you would be working with, likes you then you're in. Assuming you have some provable skill.

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Powerpoint is not a design application

You have personality, Nat???

Submitted by onegirlcreative on Fri, 2008-05-23 18:56.

Just joshing. I know you have PLENTY of personality!!! ;-x

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com

Tanks, girl!

Submitted by natobasso on Fri, 2008-05-23 21:19.

Tanks, girl! :)

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Powerpoint is not a design application

Not really sure about that

Submitted by dirkl on Fri, 2008-05-23 00:57.

I guess that even without a degree, a good portfolio could still be an advantage. I know that when I would ever have to look for new creatives I'd first have a look at their portfolio to see what they are capable of. Of course, if I would have to choose between two designers with both great portfolios and only one of them with a degree, I'd know who to pick.