Is the Master’s degree the new Bachelor’s?

The deadline for SSE BSc graduates to apply to a SSE MSc program in the autumn of 2012 is fast approaching (February 29th). Subsequently, one of the most frequently debated questions for the moment is: is it worth it? Will I really get a much better job/higher salary/brighter future if I invest two more years of my life in academic education? What’s the employer’s view?

There are, of course, no simple answers. The Bologna curriculum (3+2) is still a novelty to most Swedish companies recruiting at SSE. Our Placement Reports have not yet had the possibility to cover all our new programs, so there are no facts and figures to rely on. There is, however, a discussion going on all over the world about whether we are facing a general deflation in university degrees. Is the PhD becoming the new master’s and the master’s the new bachelor? An interesting article on the subject from the U.S point of view was published in NY Times a while ago – read it here.

In Sweden, many recruiters are still a bit confused when it comes to telling the difference between degrees. It will obviously take a while to get used to the fact that the former four-year SSE MSc degree(Civilekonom) doesn’t exist any more. On the other hand, many of our senior Alumni, now on recruiting positions, have themselves a three-year degree – because, in their time, the “Civilekonom” program was only three years long. The recruitment requirements are continuously changing and developing. It’s very possible that  we more and more often  will encounter the phrase “bachelor’s required, master’s preferred”  when browsing the Placementboard in the future. But there is no rule against taking the time to reflect.  Gaining some more experience from working or internships may be just what you need to make a better decision. And whatever that may be, rest assured that your SSE degree will still prove a first-class ticket to the future.