It’s that time of year when recent graduates approach us, their former professors, asking for recommendation letters. Employers typically provide us with a form to assess potential hires based on their essential skills and character traits. One question always amuses me: “Would you hire this applicant again? Why or why not?” Although this question is included in a template that may be used for applicants with previous work experience, it seems out of place for fresh graduates. My response to this question is always the same: “No! This individual has already graduated. Don’t bring them back! Take them away!” Nevertheless, some students do experience a sense of separation anxiety before leaving school. Some wish to prolong their time in academia, while others consider pursuing a master’s degree in our department. However, we always decline such requests and remind them that a master’s degree in communication requires at least two years of work experience in the industry.
Fresh graduates from our department need to venture into real-world production settings, where they may encounter challenging actors, meticulous producers, or demanding directors. They need to be a part of actual companies, collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and generations. They must experience working in a newsroom, where they could start with the police beat and read blotters at three in the morning, or handle social media and deal with trolls without losing their integrity. They should work in government institutions to understand true bureaucracy or with non-government organizations to closely interact with various communities and challenge their existing assumptions about the world. Only after they have dealt with difficult clients, overcome crises, and worked on projects without worrying about grades, can they truly consider applying for a master’s degree.
In general, a master’s degree in the social sciences requires immersion outside of academia. This immersion allows students to observe the real world, where they have no rubrics or classroom walls to provide a safe and predictable environment. An M.A. comes after students have identified the real problems that society faces, not before.
Unfortunately, many students (and their parents) mistakenly perceive an M.A. as an extension of their undergraduate experience. Some secondary schools hire M.A. graduates with the assumption that they possess more knowledge and teaching abilities. Certain employers require an M.A. for promotion, assuming that their employees will become writers or public speakers without prior training. However, the purpose of an M.A. is not to gain more knowledge or learn new skills. In our department, M.A. students are expected to possess excellent writing and public speaking skills from the start. These skills are not introduced or taught in graduate school; they are acquired through high school education, workshops, or certificate courses. M.A. classes are designed to refine existing skills. The M.A. serves as an initial step towards a career in academia, preparing students for a life of research, critical thinking, conceptualization, presentation, and publication. It is a space for students to discuss their experiences with theories, which can only be achieved through time spent in the professional world. Teaching at the secondary level becomes possible for M.A. graduates who understand how different types of knowledge fit together and can guide younger students in organizing their thoughts. Additionally, research skills acquired through an M.A. can help manage people systematically in the workplace.
Recently, there has been considerable debate regarding university rankings based on research output. However, I believe this is a separate issue from the value of systematic research outside of academia. An M.A. offers great value by teaching students how to conduct thorough research.
So, would we hire the applicant again? No, dear student. It’s time for you to leave the classroom and the school. Let your diploma be the wind in your sails, leading you to new horizons. An M.A.? Not yet. Off you go.
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