Should Be Back In You School ?

More and more people are doing further studies to advance their professional careers. We talk to the experts to get the low-down

- Ellen Whyte

Continuing education is becoming the norm now, and not just for academics. With over 6,000 courses offered at almost 300 colleges and universities, Malaysia is ranked 12th in the world as an education destination by UNESCO. The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) records that there has been a 10 per cent increase in enrolment for master’s and PhD degrees.

Typically those with a basic degree move on to these types of advanced degrees:

A master’s degree is where you build upon the knowledge you gained in your undergraduate or bachelor’s degree. You can have a master’s in any subject, from astrophysics to zoology. A part time course typically takes two years to complete.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a mix of various disciplines typically including courses on finance, marketing, and management. This master’s is specially designed to develop the skills you need for management. A part-time course typically takes two years to complete.

A doctorate or PhD is an advanced degree. It involves doing independent research on an original topic, meaning you have to contribute new knowledge to your field. It typically takes four to seven years to complete.

What Kind Of Qualification?

“Suppose you’re an engineer,” says Simon Si, head of regional communications for Jobstreet. “If you want to deepen your expertise, then you might take a Master in Engineering and focus on a speciality. But if you want to switch focus, like become a manager in your engineering company, then an MBA makes more sense.”

It’s quite common for people to skip from a diploma to a master’s after a few years work experience, but should you aim straight for the top and go for a PhD?