A question that came up during my studies was whether it made sense to continue, after finishing my bachelor’s degree in economics, and enroll in a Master’s program. The question arose naturally because this decision would mean at least two more years of study and delaying entry into the job market. I was aware that this would require more sacrifices, because I would be a further burden on my family, on my mum and dad. After thinking about it, I understood that I had to “complete” my studies — I say complete because until a few years earlier it was possible to enroll in a single five‑year degree in business administration, so the Master’s option did not exist then: you enrolled in the five‑year course and you finished with a respected degree. My decision, however, was not to stay at the same university where I did my bachelor’s; I chose another university in a different region from where I lived.
To understand whether doing a Master’s makes sense, I think you need to consider your own life and decide if studying is worthwhile. Let me explain. If a person already has a job they like, does not find studying satisfying, and maybe finds even a bachelor’s course difficult, then it does not make sense to enroll in a Master’s. It might make more sense to take a postgraduate Master (a specialized one‑year program) if they want to study something more specific. On the other hand, for a student who has completed or is completing a bachelor’s degree but does not have a full‑time job — maybe only a part‑time job to cover some expenses and reduce the burden on their parents — it could make sense to pursue a Master’s. The decision should not be made by comparing yourself to others; it must be a personal choice. You should ask yourself what your life goal is, which might not be clear at that moment, or it might change later. Based on what you want to do, enrolling in a Master’s can make sense or not.
It seems obvious to say that if you want to continue to the highest academic title recognized in Italy, the PhD, you must have a Master’s degree, unless you are enrolled in a single‑cycle degree. So the Master’s is mandatory for that path, but in that case I don’t think those years will feel heavy because studying would not be a problem. The only doubt would be which course and which university to choose; I will talk about that below. A separate point is if you want to apply for public competitions or other positions that require a Master’s degree. In those cases there is nothing to do but enroll in a Master’s program that meets the requirements of those positions and study. One aspect that people greatly underestimate, in my opinion, is the network you build during a Master’s if you attend classes and participate actively in university life. By this I mean meeting many new people who can be very useful for your future. Some of these people can become close friends; you can compare ideas and improve a lot, both in your studies and personal life, or they can offer new ideas and opinions. This way you gain more points of view and learn many new things. Some people may become colleagues in a future job or, when you look for work, they can be bridges to reach a position or give you a better chance of finding one. Of course, it also means having people to go out with and have fun with outside university life. Choosing a course in another region can bring many challenges but also more future satisfaction, and it allows you to leave your comfort zone.
Another aspect to evaluate is the university where the course will be held. In each university the same program can vary because there are different subjects to study. So it is very important to compare the courses at all universities and understand which might be best, also based on the subjects. It can be useful to carefully read each university’s website because they list the objectives and aims of the course. After understanding what you want to do and whether that course suits you, you can start excluding others and see which course could be useful for you. (Obviously, choosing a university in another region, or even in the same region, can involve significant expenses. You should always consider these aspects.)
Finally, depending on the path you choose, it is obvious to say that a Master’s degree is mandatory for some fields. For example, Medicine or Law, and sometimes Engineering, require studying for at least five years; for the first two, the degree is often a single‑cycle degree.
In conclusion, like everything, there are disadvantages. From my experience, a Master’s can make you lose time because you enter the job market later. Depending on where you work, for example in the private sector, it is sometimes more important to have experience than an extra degree, and in that case the degree can become useless. If you know what you want to do, it might be more useful to spend time and resources on a specialized Master’s program because it is more specific. A Master’s usually lasts one year and allows you to specialize in something precise, which is different from a two‑year Master’s degree. Another disadvantage is the financial cost, which can be significant as I mentioned several times.
The Diary of a Sicilian 