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How feasible is a Master's program in an area I am only vaguely familiar with from my undergrad?

I am a university student entering my final year and am looking for possible Master's programs to apply for. I am open to new areas of study but am not sure if it would be a good decision to go for an area I am not fully familiar with

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Sophie’s Answer

It's great you're thinking about a Master's program, and you'll want to ask yourself both *why* and *how*. Why do you want to pursue a Master's program? And how you plan to tell the story of your choices to future employers? For example, if you got all the way through undergrad before realizing you want to specialize in something different and unrelated, that's okay. This happens for many people. But if you just want to deepen your studies in the same field as your undergrad, I would recommend working full-time for at least 2 years before pursuing a Master's Degree. This will help you understand better what you do and don't like or what you do and don't want to be learning or doing professionally. It can also make it easier to enter the workforce after the Master's program having years of full-time work experience under your belt.

I completed my undergrad in a very specific field, and by the time I completed my studies I realized I did not want to be so specific in my professional experience. I worked full-time for 3 years before deciding I wanted to up-level my quantitative skills and my job prospects, so I pursued an MBA at that point. It was challenging to pursue a degree so different from my undergrad studies but I learned a lot in a short time. It also felt like a good choice to pursue a generalist's degree but where I could specialize in what interested me most. That way, the "story" of my choices paints a well-rounded picture of who I am and what I bring to future employers.
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LISA’s Answer

I think you need to ask yourself why you want to pursue a Master's degree, especially if it's not related to what you studied in your undergrad work. If you're not entirely sure where you're going with your education, I would suggest getting out into the working world and try getting a job in a field you think you're interested in, or at least find some people to talk to who are doing jobs you think you might be interested in. If you're a learner like I am, you may just like going to school, but there are other ways to learn without having to get degrees -- you can pursue industry certifications, skill-based certifications, etc. Take some time to really think through what you want to accomplish before committing to a Master's program.
Thank you comment icon Hi Lisa, these are some great insights I did not previously think of. Thank you for your time, I appreciate it. Blessing
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Janet’s Answer

Hi Blessing, I will agree with the previous answers - really consider your "why" first - is it about the job market now? If so, that is an excellent reason to stay in school, but keep in mind that things may change by the time you graduate.
Personally, I don't think more education is ever a bad idea, but make sure you know what you are getting into. Perhaps you can visit classes on your current campus in the graduate area you are considering? Or at least look up a professor or advisor in that department and go visit with him or her (or several). Find out what deficiencies you may have, and what you can do to prepare in advance, before plunging in. Best of luck to you!
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