A reader asks for help in deciding on a thesis - the route for a career may be determined by the choice.
Note - all letters are reprinted as received, with names and some details deleted to ensure privacy, but no correction to spelling or grammar.
Q. I am a student at the British University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I'm a current teacher and recently started my M.Ed. at the BUiD. I'm trying to choose my research topic the best so that it pays me back on the time of graduation with a good job. I'm more into the educational management and policy. I like that field alot. the problem is that its hard to find a job in that field easily here. On the other hand, the head of the special needs education is asking me to go for her department as it is easy to find a good job in that field - which is true. I'm really confused, do I go for what I like, or go for the easier job search??????
Regards,
A. Only you can make the final decision. How did you base your conclusion that jobs were scarce in management and policy? Have you consulted with any Career Placement advisors, or even Employment Agencies for that field? That's the first place to start to get current information.
As well, doing your research thesis in one area will not necessarily limit you to one or the other, unless your thesis will lack appropriate research techniques for one field over another.
Another dilemma is if you are not as interested in a subject or topic, you may not do as well by not being enthused on the subject, and not wanting to spend the amount of energy and time needed to ensure success on your thesis.
You say you are already a teacher, so you most likely are already familiar with some educational management and policy. What do you want to be doing in five years after graduation? In ten years after graduation? Where do you see yourself? If your answer is within the management side, can you get there without the experience of teaching?
One compromise that might work is to start with special needs education - once you have a job and some experience you might decide to apply for a more management and policy type of work within that division. Usually, to work within the administration side, you must have some teaching experience within that division.
The most important thing here is to be happy with YOUR decision. Neither really stops you from continuing into the other choice at a future date - both are still well within your reach.
Good Luck!
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Copyright March 17, 2008. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
