In a message dated 11/6/2009 1:21:39 P.M. Pacific
Standard Time, a student writes:
Dr. Bill,
Recently someone suggested that after I get my bachelors degree that I
should consider going for an MA or Doctoral degree.
To be completely honest I was not even planning to go to college after High
School. I wanted to go to a technical trade school for Automotive. But
luckily my ex-girlfriend's family convinced me to try out a year at the
university and I have been loving it ever since. As an interpreter are there
any advantages of getting an MA or doctoral degree in Deaf Studies?
-- Name on file
Dear Student,
As a terp? No there isn't a strong benefit to holding a masters or
doctoral degree.
Looking 25 years down the road--when your arms wear out--yes it is nice to
have a few letters after your name.
However, advanced degrees may be totally worthless to you and a waste
of time. (Really, I'm being serious here.)
If you are financially disciplined as a terp and set up your own 401K and
other retirement planning so that when your arms wear out you will have
already amassed sufficient resources on which to retire, then you have no
need for advanced degrees.
If you get a chance borrow the book "The Millionaire Next Door" from the
library, if you aren't into reading that kind of thing you order an audio
version from Amazon.com. You will see from that book that realistically, a
degree is not necessarily the answer. (http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/0743517822).
Ask yourself if there are any "causes" you plan on fighting for during your
life. If so, an advanced degree can help you "fight harder" in some ways.
Then again, chasing a degree and "failing" to get it can mean two or three
wasted years of your life (financially) and can leave you wracked with debt
$30K and up, not to mention the opportunity cost of lost wages that you
could have been earning instead studying.
Thus for you I'd recommend going for advanced degrees if:
1. You need a place to "hang out" prior to deciding what you want to
"really" do with your life.
2. You can get into a free program (scholarships, grants) without excessive
loans.
3. You don't think you can discipline yourself to save for retirement as a
freelance terp.
4. You like the idea of teaching and the schedule of an educator appeals to
you.
5. Your social network is something you can put on hold. (Will you lose a
girlfriend who is a "keeper" and could have been "the one"? Will your
parents die while you are off chasing a degree?)
6. You enjoy studying.
Cordially,
Dr. V