stop at master degree, or continue till doctoral degree?

[ilus]

Hello Everyone,

I heard from two of my friends who are already in Japan that upon arrival, our respective professor will immediately ask us about whether we, as postgraduate students, are interested to continue our study to doctoral degree after completing master course.

I am very interested therefore to know from friends in this forum about what your decision may be and why. I, for example, if given the opportunity, am most likely to continue to doctoral degree, because I think that 5 years in my professor's research group will give me the chance to specialize in my field of study, which is engineering. Friends who are already/had been in Japan, and had made this decision in the past are also very welcomed to share their experience. Each and every opinion will be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[HAX IM A LION]

I've never been to Japan, myself--but that doesn't mean I can't put in my two cents, right?

It really depends on your field of study, whether it be in America or Japan. If you're looking to really specialize in your field, or feel a need to, go all the way. I, myself, plan on teaching English and Creative Writing, so I only have to get my Master's. If I want to gain proficiency after that, I'd get more experience from actually watching/teaching classes.

Well, each to their own. I'm really not familiar with the technicalities behind the Engineering division.

 

[lonesoullost3]

If you're doing engineering, unless you plan on doing research for your career, the odds are you do not a PhD. If you do plan on doing research, then clearly a PhD is the way to go. That being said, you want to make sure you really DO want to do it. Just because the professor will ask you if you want to continue onto a PhD or not does not mean you HAVE to - one (two?) year(s) in a Master's program can change your mind (especially if you decide you dislike the Japanese system). Note, if you plan on working outside of Japan, particularly in America, a PhD from Japan will not take you NEARLY as far as one from America or Europe (unless, possibly, you're doing robotics).

-This from a current MA student planning to do a PhD who is an ex-engineer (sort of, switched after my first year in undergrad) and who has plenty of engineering friends currently doing their own MEng's.

 

[akita]

My teacher ask me the same thing. There is not necessary to decide on the spot. Nobody expect you to do. They just want to know if you have at list an idea of what you will do in the future. I told my teacher that for now entering the master courses is the priority but I,m considering also a PHD. The thing is that you can t say you will stay 5 years in Japan just like that. Many things can happend in this time. There are some people here who find very hard to adapt to the life in Japan so you need also time to relize how long you will be able to stay in Japan and if it s the right thing for you.