Is the bachelor's important when one has a master's degree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relevance of a bachelor's degree when an individual holds a master's degree, particularly in the context of employment opportunities in fields such as applied mathematics and physics. Participants explore whether the type of bachelor's degree influences job prospects, especially in banking and related industries.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if employers value the bachelor's degree when candidates have the same master's degree, specifically comparing applied mathematics and physics backgrounds.
  • Another participant asserts that the bachelor's degree becomes less significant after gaining several years of work experience, even without a master's degree.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the value of a bachelor's degree when planning to pursue a master's degree, seeking clarification on its importance.
  • One reply suggests that the relevance of a bachelor's degree may depend on the specific fields of study and the combination of degrees, noting that having both a bachelor's in physics and a master's in mathematics could be advantageous in certain job markets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of a bachelor's degree relative to a master's degree. Multiple competing views are presented regarding its relevance in different contexts and fields.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions about the job market's preferences and the specific industries discussed, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion also reflects varying opinions on how redundancy in degrees may affect perceptions by employers.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering further education in STEM fields, particularly those weighing the value of bachelor's versus master's degrees in their career paths.

Tosh5457
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Do the employers care about the bachelor? For example if two persons, one with applied mathematics bachelor's and other with physics bachelor's, both have the same master's, can they get the same jobs?

I'm asking this because people with bachelor's in applied mathematics usually get hired for jobs in banks (in Portugal), and I don't know if both a physicist and applied mathematician, even with the same master's, have equal chances of getting a job in banks.
 
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Bachelors doesn't matter after some years of work even if you do not have masters.
 
FAlonso said:
Bachelors doesn't matter after some years of work even if you do not have masters.

Thanks for the reply, it seems that almost nobody checks this section anymore...

I'm planning to get a master's degree after I get bachelor's, so would the bachelor count for anything?
 
In all seriousness, it depends.

If you get a bachelor's degree in physics, and the proceed to getting your master's in the same field (yes, physics), it would be incredibly redundant (not to mention making you look somewhat stupid) to put both 'BSc Physics' and 'MSc Physics' on your CV.

Should you have a bachelor's degree in physics, and then proceed to get a master's in math, it MIGHT be good to mention both. Let's say you want to work at a firm that specializes in robotics. Having a master's in mathematics is good, but if you can show that you have knowledge of physics as well (i.e. a bachelor's degree), that's even better. I think.
 

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