Do You Need a Master's Degree? 🎓 Grad School Advice and Q&A

i had so much fun filming this grad school q&a (read: drinking wine) with my friend megan. thanks for submitting questions! OPEN FOR MORE INFO ⬇⬇⬇
🎵 music by dyalla: / dyallas
❗skip to questions:
1:15 how did megan decide to go into gerontology?
2:13 how was the transition from undergrad to grad school?
4:29 how did your degree contribute to your career path?
5:21 do extracurricular activities matter for grad school applications?
5:59 how much/how long did you study for the gre?
7:09 how did you plan and write your dissertation?
8:23 do you intern while you study?
9:35 will you continue your education and get a phd?
10:49 what if you don't want to work in the same field as your master's degree?
11:56 what was your biggest challenge of grad school?
13:38 who were your most impactful mentors and how did they help you career-wise?
16:13 is a master's degree a must to find a good job?
▶️ related videos:
↳ how to change careers: bit.ly/2TxDY7V
↳ how to get a good grade on your dissertation: bit.ly/2VBPjWr
↳ writing a dissertation + my grade: bit.ly/2Ty8QoX
↳ should you get a master’s degree?: bit.ly/2RGLU9S
↳ all about my master’s degree: bit.ly/2CscJDd
↳ uk grad school q&a: bit.ly/2Fgopxw
💛 follow megan:
↳ youtube: / findmp
↳ instagram: / findmp
📱 follow me:
↳ instagram: / kristinachoi
↳ foodstagram: / kchoieats
↳ twitter: / kristina_choi
🎥 production:
↳ canon eos m6 + 15-45mm lens: amzn.to/2ou7OMA *
↳ final cut pro x: www.apple.com/uk/final-cut-pro/
↳ mini tripod: amzn.to/2r2l4uH *
*this is an affiliate link.

[@lalalozer]

Ahh, I wish saw this before entering my masters program! I honestly didn't know what I wanted to do with my life after I earned my bachelor's degree. I got into corporate, but that bored me so I decided to go to grad school without really expecting much. My first semester of grad school, I felt to guilty because I left a stable job. But after two years, it was the best decision I made ever. I wouldn't recommend grad school to everyone simply because it's not for everyone. It entails commitment, patience, sacrifices, and yes, uncertainty (having a master's degree does not gurantee you a good job!). But it surely opens opportunities and fosters growth on a personal and professional level :)

[@bykchoi]

glad everything worked out for you! :) thanks for watching!

[@wiadomolabel7716]

Having a GOOD (!!!) master's degree does guarantee you interviews, though. Coming from a non-target BA, I leveraged my another alma mater's name, where I did my master's, to secure interviews at Lazard, Rothschild, Bridgepoint and so on. From that point onwards, it is all about you - whether you will impress during your interviews and therefore get a job or be left with nothing.

[@alyssaforteza4835]

I really love your content and the way you speak is very soothing. The way you filmed this, like having conversation with friends is good. Have you ever considered making podcast? Because I would definitely be glued to it ❤️

[@ryanvillegas5843]

I just recently finished my Master's and all your answers from your guys' experience is spot on with how I would have answered based off my own experience. Cheers

[@Ricccardo80]

Happy New Year :) Thanks for this very interesting video. Looking forward to see more videos from you in 2019, love watching your videos and listening to your voice.

[@janekan8221]

I love your videos ! They r so informative and interesting at the same time !💓

[@sunnykwak4384]

This video could not have come at a better time for me! Loved hearing you two and pls do more like this x

[@bykchoi]

Yay!

[@jordanevans3500]

I love your videos so much please keep it up!❤

[@nodnsmile]

Nice video! I like the conversational style with two ppl better than with one, it feels like I'm listening in on a convo rather than being dictated to (which I enjoy). Thanks!

[@bykchoi]

Glad you enjoyed!! Hope to do videos in this style with other topics in the future

[@weiliqiang7142]

Loooove it! I was expecting for the update for so long😂🥂🥂. And I am glad that I can find your channel and get so much positive things from you! Thank you Kchoi and happy 2019~

[@bykchoi]

Thank you for the support!! Happy new year!

[@theartesana]

Love your content! ❣️✨

[@bykchoi]

Thank you!

[@dearsaturdays]

UGH such strong smart kickass women!!!!! love you two

[@bykchoi]

right back at ya

[@leondaventus6981]

@Momo yeah

[@kingkylie9655]

@Momo how fragile are you man. seriously. how fragile...

[@joannetay5472]

love your videos! 💕

[@bykchoi]

thank you!!

[@sorayi6857]

Great Video!

[@Dmimima]

Love this video (also enjoying a glass of wine as I watch!) I'm actually studying at UCL right now in an MSc program and unfortunately, I'm not crazy about it. So far it hasn't felt worth the money and I'm just not loving UCL as an institution (I've found it super disorganized ). But, I do love living in London (originally from North Carolina) and I'm currently applying for grad schemes in hopes of finding a permanent job here once I graduate. Second term has just started so I'm hoping it will improve!

[@bykchoi]

My program was also pretty disorganized!! But fortunately I met great friends :) good luck with your job applications!

[@skyatnight2910]

Heyy Kristine! I absolutely love your channel, so glad I found you through joan's :D I was wondering if you could make another video about your consulting work? Like what type of projects do you work on and what you enjoy and don't enjoy about consulting. I've been working in market research but considering to transition to consulting as well. Any insights would be so helpful!! Thank you!!

[@hyerin7101]

I am so happy I discovered your channel! Subscribed :-) I'm starting my master's education in global management this August. Eek! I'm going straight into the program from graduating undergrad in June (last month)... excited to start grad school but also can't deny that I'm a bit scared because I know it won't be undergrad 2.0. Because I'm entering with no extensive work experience, I'm worried I'll be an outlier. Would love to see a follow-up video on how grad life was in detail (jobs whilst studying, loans, networking, etc.) and some tips on how you managed to stay proactive.

[@bykchoi]

great topic! would love to talk about balancing life in grad school (especially in comparison to undergrad). best of luck!!

[@swannmannbaggywaggy]

Best of luck to you guys, and I hope you finished the bottle too :)

[@elliotchung]

A great video! I hope you will be my daughters' mentors one day. Thanks for sharing!

[@bykchoi]

aw thank you!

[@linayoung_ny]

love this video❣️❣️

[@bykchoi]

Thanks for watching!

[@awliyanisa486]

I really enjoyed your video.. Thx a lot

[@TheYoonjooshin]

안녕하세요 ! 유씨엘 매니지먼트 리뷰도 해주세용 >_< i love the idea of wine talk and grad school review video!!

[@bykchoi]

I have a video all about my MSc Management program, I think it’s linked in the description box!

[@katierejoice]

This was so interesting and fun to watch! Thanks for sharing~ ^_^

[@bykchoi]

thank you :))))

[@its-dynaisha]

I’m graduating from undergrad in August and still unsure about my decision to further my education for academic, financial reasons and not knowing what I want to do 😞. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@bykchoi]

Post-grad can be a confusing time!! Best of luck xx

[@its-dynaisha]

kchoi thank you ☺️

[@diemcarpe3921]

Hello kchoi. Thank you for your video. I’m watching it in Korea. Actually I’m not good at English so I barely understand the contents but,, I get some positive energy whenever I watch your video. Anyway I like your videos and thank you for uploading these good videos:-)

[@bykchoi]

Aw thank you!!

[@aisyahputeh4740]

Hello, it's such a relieve that I found your channel! I too was an English major and gonna pursue my masters in management so your videos helped me a lot! I was just wondering if it's possible to pursue lecturing as well with the masters and wondered if you have ever thought of being a lecturer? Thanks! Keep on inspiring others! ♥️

[@alankovacevic6826]

I love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make this video, as the topic is very important for me right now (trying to get into management/ starting to prepare for GMAT probably shooting for 2020/2021 cohort for grad school).

[@bykchoi]

Good luck!!

[@alankovacevic6826]

@@bykchoi Thank you! And thanks for sharing your story, very inspirational. :)

[@kennychan7355]

I feel proud for last year that I have completed my business undergraduate degree on last August. It was a remarkable six years journey from failing paper to resilent, hardwork and confident graduate. I love learning and setting my fresh challenge. I hope in 5 years time I can return to uni and do postgraduate study such as postgraduate certificate on the pathway to master degree my gpa meets a required good performance.

[@avav3488]

I loved this. Please make more videos together

[@rynae44]

Thank you so much! This was very helpful!

[@captainnjt131]

Waiting for your video ;)

[@imanidlamini8499]

This was so great

[@alicey8353]

really love your guys makeup!

[@jjarnold220]

Good job ladies

[@mewrrorball]

i am an international relations student and going to graduate soon, but i've been thinking to get a degree in graphic design in the future. do i have to start from the bottom once more or is it possible for me to skip ahead and get a master degree in graphic design? (i love international relations, yet designing is also a passion of mine, and i would like to be active in both fields).

[@DrAdnan]

Gerontology is fascinating! It would be great if we could help move the general public to be healthy and happy in their old age. Almost makes me wanna specialize in geriatrics.

[@kroganoperator]

I clicked this video and saw ur comment. Then I watched the nowthis video about sugar babies and saw u comment there too haha

[@DrAdnan]

M Alc Lol youtube’s my place

[@antimatter888]

Do you have any advice for other English majors (Go Bears!) looking to get into consulting? I graduated last year and have been traveling and working freelance in an unrelated field, but consulting really appeals to me as a next step. I have a lot of background in some skills that seem relevant (debate, writing, presentations) but I'm not sure how much luck I'd have getting interviews with no formal experience.

[@aniamichel5609]

Currently about to start my second semester in grad school for health administration, i don’t want to wait until im completely done to start building foundations (like experience, exposure to the field) beside trying to get an internship what would you guys suggest ? Xoxo

[@youngblisslife4308]

Do you have a shinola watch on? It’s eye catching

[@Jayisevolving]

I literally crack up everytime one of you guys goes “MMMM” “ MMMM” 🤔 🤣🤣🤣

[@dmd2803]

you seem to be such a collected, organized person (which I think you really are). Thanks for sharing these videos, they are so helpful

[@BLACKNIGHTCODING]

Question: At any point in both your undergrad studies and postgrad studies did you sit and do the cost analysis of potential income from your given degree versus the cost of the said degree? Or like the thoughts of will, the resulting income of this degree will provide me with the lifestyle that I've always dreamed of living? In my personal situation, I went to college for Audio Production incurring around 75K in student loans and at the end of it, the starting jobs were 12-15 dollar hour jobs. I ended up self-studying software development using online resources and getting into that career field and now make $80/hr minimum in a career that does not require a college degree if you work hard and demonstrate that you can do the work. I hadn't done the research on income potential #1 and #2 my income expectations were so low/out of whack from never even studying what type of lifestyle I wanted to have and how much money having such a lifestyle would cost and working my way backwards into a career that would provide the income to fund that lifestyle. I feel like so many people don't make that exercise a practice and go through all of that school and still end up not living the lifestyle that they truly want and that they continue with school post-high school because it's just "the thing to do" or it's expected of them from their parents or culture. I'm interested to hear your take on this.

[@misongchoi969]

So helpful and thank you so much 💛

[@bykchoi]

glad it's helpful! :)

[@anguswang2293]

Your video is definitely helpful.In my opinion, the master degree is so important in CN that more and more students choose to study aboard to get it.However, I think the promotion of ability is even more significant than degree. After all, my goal is to make myself become more independent and competitive, so I am looking forward my master study in Hong Kong.Thanks to your video that I learned a lot from it!

[@moniqueroman7704]

I love the career related videos you do! I think it would be really insightful if you did a video on what kind of interview questions consultants are asked.

[@herbnathan13]

you're so pretty

[@wowluckybunnies]

영어 잘하시는 게 제일 부럽습니다.

[@20bmvm]

한국에서도 잘 보고 있어요ㅎㅎ

[@latinousa5694]

Hello Kchoi! I been following your journey and is very inspiring. I'm graduating this fall with my undergrad in PR, Advertising, and Marketing. However, I started working in this field as early as I started my Freshman year, and now I know this is not a career I want to keep pursuing. However, I have been very curious about management. Especially in Change Management, which is why now I'm looking at schools for fall 2021. I'm struggling to find schools here in the United States that offer a good masters in management program with a concentration in change. Do you have any tips or advice for me? Thank you :)

[@sandy23stories40]

nice video. Your friend is so funny.

[@RajeevRanjan-wv7lu]

Hi , I would like to know that people who's holding a bachelor's degree in management with speclisation in Financial services and Marketing can get into consulting field or not . Please give me actual answer which can be achievable not hypothetical answer. With Regards Rajeev Ranjan.

[@ginasimmons9931]

I just found this video today. I also want to get a graduate degree in Gerontology and had the same reason that I want to work with older adults

[@EDW4RD249]

How old were you at the moment to finish a master's degree?

[@Sam-wq4bd]

I am considering doing a Management degree in London and I also come from a non-business related background. What type of math did you encounter during your Msc at UCL? DId you need to know Calculus?

[@bykchoi]

More basic math (percentages, ratios, etc etc) that you use in accounting and finance, and some statistics (used to conduct research for my dissertation). Nothing advanced so it shouldn’t really matter that you don’t come from a business or math backgrounds but it’s probably helpful to just brush up on your math skills overall!

[@danakuffa6596]

What are grad schools looking for in applicants? How did you justify in an application that you could go from english to business?

[@ruijiewu5370]

love your videos!! Actually I already got a master degree right after my undergrad, it was great and somehow life-changing experience and I highly recommend it. But I still think it would be better if I had worked for a few years and found out what I really loved!! :) Do you think you will ever want to dive into a more specific area (such as marketing, finance, accounting, etc) and go back to school for another Msc or MBA?

[@bykchoi]

Glad you had a great experience! At this point, no. I think I’ve learned what I can academia-wise and have much more opportunity to learn through work!

[@ruijiewu5370]

@@bykchoi aww thanks for answering my questions!! I think working is a good way to learn things too. Hope you are having fun!! and I have to say I really enjoy your videos!

[@alfredballesteros3973]

First comment! Yay!!

[@bykchoi]

Thanks for the support!

[@Laurelise]

❤️

[@kunray1692]

haha, I decided to apply for my master degree last week, so right now I am really busy at preparing everything for the application, deadline at Jan 31st!!!

[@bykchoi]

Good luck!

[@quentin3409]

Hello, I want to choose a master degree to transfer from Food Science to Consulting. Could you give a advice which master degree should I choose: Technology operation, Business analytics or Project and Enterprise management? Thank you very much, Kchoi !

[@bykchoi]

Hard to say! Depends on what type of consulting you want to go into, and what your current work experience is... there are many factors.

[@Alex-ky8bw]

Kchoi, is there a difference in pay between working at a PR agency and working in-house?

[@bykchoi]

Good question! Probably. Both would depend on the size. If it’s a large agency it might pay more than a small company where you’re in-house. And vice versa.

[@kurniawanteddy7]

Nice vlog

[@KittyAKan]

Sure. My brothers and I got our master degrees long time ago. Actually, one of my brothers earned his master from USC too.

[@IRLWojak]

Important questions: 1) how did you pay for all the education? The books? The cost of living while in school for so long? 2) did you get a job while in college or graduate school? 3) did you pay rent or live on campus? Who paid your housing costs?

[@bykchoi]

I saved money while working for 3 years before grad school and paid for my tuition and housing before going abroad. Paid for my living expenses with my savings and also had a part time job while in London.

[@IRLWojak]

Thanks for the reply!

[@glorysamjolly]

Awww you guys are cute

[@sophiebabi122]

was the GRE required for UCL MiM when you applied? I am in the process of applying now and it isn't. Like Megan, I discovered the program late but I wouldn't have time to prepare for the GRE

[@bykchoi]

I don’t think it was required but I’m not 100% sure

[@kleenexpaseo]

how many years did you take to complete your masters degree?

[@bykchoi]

My master’s program was 12 months long!

[@nomine8066]

What is Megan vlog?

[@bykchoi]

It’s linked in the description box!

Love the channel KChoi, excellent video as always! - If your audience need any advice on their PhD career after the Masters I could recommend checking out my channel! Also - how do you get the lighting so good?

[@bykchoi]

Thank you! Hahah just natural light!

[@ritaz1870]

Can I ask what watch you’re wearing thanks 🙏 I

[@bykchoi]

It’s from Shinola!

[@ritaz1870]

@@bykchoi That's very cute! thank you so much!

[@applepie10202]

how’s your tuition paid

[@bykchoi]

I saved up and paid for my tuition and living expenses that way :)

[@sambravo2556]

I like technology

[@salma31000]

cool

[@zhenliu4110]

I really love your videos. I am currently studying my master degree in public relation and my undergrad major was supply chain, now I am searching for interns and jobs in consulting. do you think when hr hiring a consultant major is not related is ok ?

[@binbinli1921]

You guys like twins!

[@user-tf8ch9pe6m]

누나 사랑해요 ~

[@yuchenjia9396]

Hello, hope all is well! I really enjoy your consulting and career and education videos! They are interesting! I was curious though can you share the firm that you work for? I worked in Consulting at Accenture for a year and a half before switching to financial performance consulting at Grant Thorton. I am curious to learn more about your firm, maybe it is a career path of interest to me! Thank you again!

[@youagainwhat]

I'm doing MSc in UCL. it is so interesting but challenging as well. apart from the course, living abroad for the first time is something i need to deal with. thx for tips

[@riccardonati]

Fun thing is I also watched this while drinking white wine and ended up finishing half a bottle too 😜 PS I'm going to do a Master's in Management in London too!

[@bykchoi]

Nice! What uni?

[@riccardonati]

@@bykchoi I have an offer from LSE but still waiting from Imperial - did their interview a couple weeks ago. Really don't know which one to choose between the two though (provided I also get an offer from Imperial 😅) Your videos helped me a lot throughout the application process so thank you!

[@CC123Aus]

Great information ladies, thankyou for posting. Its great for future grad students to get this information from those that have gone through the process. If I could impart some further advice/info/tips, I'm in the process of completing my second masters. I have an MBA and am now completing a MHRM majoring (or specialising as we call it in Australia) in Employment Relations. After which, Ill be continuing onto a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration). Here's the information you may find handy, especially kchoi as you are a change management consultant (same as me, but I'm now specialising in workforce capability modelling). If you do a second masters in Australia at the institution where you did your first masters, you can gain up to 50% RPL (recognition of prior learning, also known as credit), towards your second Masters. So, I have 6 of my 12 Units RPLd into my MHRM from my MBA. Masters in Australia are generally 12 units, so, that's only 6 units for me to study and gain my MHRM. This policy does vary from Uni to Uni, but most will recognise at least 4 units from any other Uni. Onto the DBA. DBAs are fairly new (20 or so years old) and are significantly different from PhDs. Basically, they are for working people (not academics) who would like to solve a real world problem with a practical approach, usually done at his/her place of work. As apposed to a PhD, which is an attempt at solving a theoretical problem and as you guys stated, leads to an academic career. DBAs are shorter than PhDs as they consist of a 60,000 word thesis. PhDs have a 100,000 word thesis. IMO, DBA's are a great way of making a name in consulting by establishing yourself as an expert in a specialisation/particular field. All you need to enrol in a DBA in Australia is to have a masters degree (some Unis will want an MBA) with a credit average (between 65-75% score) or higher. Some of this may vary from university to university. My University is both online and face to face and is called Charles Sturt University (CSU). You can check out their DBA program here: futurestudents.csu.edu.au/courses/business/doctor-business-administration I'm sure there are several DBA programs in the U.S. So if you love change management consulting you may like to consider a DBA in the future so as to position yourself as a leading expert in a specialist area. Cheers CC123

[@blanketye6566]

You are beatutiful

[@fara.r.8181]

Grad school is like a marriage - either you ending up enjoying it, or otherwise.

[@Ricccardo80]

Happy New Year :) Thanks for this very interesting video. Looking forward to see more videos from you in 2019, love watching your videos and listening to your voice.