A lot of masters are useful to gain connections to get a job in glamorous or competitive fields (journalism, international relations, arts) or to signal that you understand the field (MBA). If you already have the connections, through a high quality undergrad program or post undergrad work experience or family, then you may not need the masters. But for those who were born on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder, education can be the great equalizer.

I find the Masters in Journalism posts interesting. I got that degree from a top school, but my journalism career didn't take off until I got a second master's and experience in a specific field. Now I'm successful writing about my area of expertise. In my first jobs out of J school, I worked for trade publications and freelanced for local papers. So I would tell a budding journalist to become something else, then write about that. I don't regret the MSJ though. I learned a ton that I use now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Masters in Library and Information Science. Useless.

Nope, very useful. Know many fully employed librarians, several who have transitioned into data science.

Much like some of the other degrees, it's only useless if you don't have related work experience before getting the degree or during the program.

How did they transition?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Journalism. I am shocked anyone still goes to J school. It is totally possible to go into journalism without a J school degree and the job market is bad so why spend money/take on debt for a field that doesn't pay well and where it isn't necessary.

I have an MPH and there were a lot of government and think tank jobs available to me once I got my degree. So I am glad I did it.

I have a kid in high school who loves to write (editor for school newspaper) and has expressed interest in studying journalism in college. Are the job prospects that bad in this field? What would you recommend for a kid who has a passion for journalism to study in college?

Journalist here--

Have them major in something else and encourage student paper/internships. You can always pursue the "business" with a degree in another field.

I would never "recommend" a young person to pursue a career in journalism. That's a call they have to make on their own. If someone came to me and said "I'm thinking about doing this," I'd tell them the truth. But I'd never recommend it out of the blue. You have to WANT IT.

MA in creative writing.

Anonymous wrote:Masters in Library and Information Science. Useless.

Nope, very useful. Know many fully employed librarians, several who have transitioned into data science.

Much like some of the other degrees, it's only useless if you don't have related work experience before getting the degree or during the program.

International relations.