Question

Topic: Student Questions

Advice For Graduate School Decision

Posted by Anonymous on 5/31/2012 at 10:57 AM ET 125 Points
Hi everyone

I am currently a senior studying public relations and marketing. I recently decided to look into MS programs and would like some help with the decision. I have internship experience at a medium sized integrated agency assisting with accounts.

Here are the programs in which I am most interested:

Virgina MS in Commerce, marketing
Loyola MSIMC
Johns Hopkins MS in Marketing
Georgetown MPS in PR and Corporate Communications
VCU Brandcenter
USC Communications management

Can anyone give me a general idea of the industry perception of the programs and potential value-added of holding a degree?

My aspiration is to work my way up on the account side of an integrated agency. I will eventually pursue a masters in order to advance my knowledge, increase my credentials and become more competitive for new business and for gaining entry into the field. That said, I would like to finish my education early so I can focus on my career entirely.

So my question is this: would getting an MS make me a more viable candidate for entry-level positions?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 6/3/2012 at 10:52 AM Accepted
    An MS from any of the institutions you mention will certainly set you apart from the thousands of folks with undergrad degrees in PR and Marketing.

    Question: Why are you not including an MBA as one of your options? Having an MBA really signals that you are serious about business -- not just marketing -- and it is pretty widely recognized as THE badge of professional business management.
  • Posted on 6/4/2012 at 12:48 AM Author
    Hi mgoodman thanks for your response.

    My main reason for not wanting to pursue an MBA is time. I'd like to get a graduate degree right after undergrad and not wait a few years and then apply. I figure it would be easier to complete my studies basically all in one shot, though I'm not entirely ruling out an MBA eventually.

    I certainly agree that an MBA would be perhaps an unparalleled credential to have next to my name.

    I am also very much in the exploratory phase of this process and am basically doing my diligence on all options.

    In regards to pursuing a degree immediately my dilemma is if I should pursue a communications oriented program like Georgetown, an analytical one more along the lines of Virginia or Duke's MMS or an IMC degree.

    I am more inclined to focus on an analytical and more traditional program though as my communications education is already pretty extensive.

    I suppose this brings us back to an MBA, however, for the scope of my question I'm really just interested in MS programs at the moment.
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