About a month ago, I graduated with a Bachelor degree in computer science from the FERIT university. My Bachelor thesis has only been uploaded to DABAR a few days ago. Namely, I missed the deadline by a few weeks, and DABAR was not allowing uploads. I told them I missed the deadline because I was not able to work on the thesis because of my psychotic disorder (which is actually not true, I was able to), so they let me submit the thesis after the deadline without having to pay 2’000 kunas as penalty. But I am not able to start studying for a Masters degree this year nor did I immediately get a diploma (I will get a diploma somewhere in mid-December) nor did I immediately get my Bachelor thesis published on DABAR.
So, what do you guys think, should I pursue a Masters degree the next year?
I am asking because many people on the Internet are advising people with mental illness not to pursue a PhD because doing a PhD is tough on mental health. In my opinion, they are right. But, what do you think, does the same thing apply to pursuing a Master’s degree in some difficult topic such as computer science?
In Croatia, people who have finished the Bachelor degree in computer science (which lasts three years) mostly pursue a Master’s degree (which lasts two years). I am afraid that, if I don’t pursue a Master’s degree, the employers would ask me why.
I don’t think any of us can answer this for you, but only you can answer it for yourself.
The questions are:
- can you do the work/commitment while also maintaining the balance you need to keep yourself healthy?
- will doing the masters contribute to your overall goal for yourself and your career?
- is it worth it to you?
Someone in your country and career may be able to help you with the second question, but only you can answer the first and third ones.
Best of luck!
First thing, lying is always bad policy. I recommend that you get a master if you think it will help you become self-employed. Unfortunately, collaborations are going to be tough for you and your colleagues, but if you are your own boss, everything will be easier.
I agree completely.
I have unpleasantly variable health and therefore have to trim back my activities to the bare essentials every now and again. What I have found helpful, is to pursue part-time distance learning to give me more time to get stuff done on my good weeks/days. If it’s an option for you, it might be worth considering.