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Deciding whether or not you should pursue your master’s degree can be difficult. Typically, people don’t pursue further education because they love sitting in classrooms. Frankly, master’s degrees are impressive on résumés. But most times, people are enthralled by the idea of more time—another year or two to decide what it is they want to do with their lives.
I reached out to Owen graduate students, all pursuing different master’s degrees, and gathered some pretty useful information regarding their experiences thus far. My main focus was their decision to pursue further education and how they believe such a choice has impacted their professional trajectory. I spoke with a diverse bunch of individuals, all kind enough to respond to my questions, which I believe will contribute greatly to a well-rounded understanding of the true value of master’s degrees. Given that I myself may want to pursue graduate school, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the unique perspectives each of these students brought to the table.
I spoke with 3 current students at the Owen Graduate School of Management—Thomas, an MBA Candidate; Ella, seeking a Master of Science in Finance; and Alexandra, pursuing her Master of Marketing; I asked them each the same 5 questions, which you’ll find elicited a range of enlightening responses.
Thomas Caschetta – MBA Candidate at the Owen School
1. Can you tell me a bit about your career path so far?
Thomas earned a Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Northwest. After high school, he enlisted in the Indiana National Guard as an infantryman, gaining experience in discipline, leadership, and high-pressure situations. While in college, he participated in ROTC, and upon graduation, he was commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer.
After suffering injuries during his time in service, he transitioned into a logistics role before medically retiring.
Thomas said, “[this transition] was a pivotal moment for me. It opened my eyes to the complexity and impact of supply chains and operations, and I found myself genuinely interested in learning more about it.”
“As I prepared to transition into civilian life, I knew I wanted to continue down this path. Since I was moving to Tennessee, I researched top programs in the state and determined that Vanderbilt’s MBA program was the best fit for my goals and values. I applied, was accepted, and began the program in the fall of 2024.”
2. What were the key factors in your decision to pursue an MBA?
According to Thomas, his main motivation to pursue an MBA was realizing that his injury prevented him from performing physically demanding roles.
“At the same time, I discovered a passion for logistics, operations, and supply chain management. I wanted to explore these areas more deeply and gain a well-rounded understanding of how businesses operate at a strategic level.”
In Thomas’ eyes, pursuing an MBA felt like the “natural next step,” not only to gain technical knowledge but also to access a “strong network, exposure to different industries, and opportunities to work on real-world business challenges.”
3. How would you say your MBA has impacted your professional trajectory thus far?
“The MBA has already had a significant impact. It’s expanded my understanding of the business world from core disciplines like finance and marketing to more specialized areas like operations strategy and data analytics. More importantly, it’s helped me translate my military leadership and management experience into a corporate context.”
Thomas has also gained valuable experience tackling business simulations, collaborating with companies through internships and networking opportunities, and developing strong communication and problem-solving skills.
4. In hindsight, would you do anything differently?
“Honestly, no. Every step I’ve taken, from joining the military to transitioning into logistics, to applying for an MBA, has brought me to where I am today. Each experience has shaped me and given me skills that I now realize are incredibly valuable in the business world.”
“I believe I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I’m excited for what’s ahead,” said Thomas.
5. Do you think an MBA is becoming more or less valuable in today’s job market?
“I think the value of an MBA really depends on a few key factors—namely, the quality of the program, the individual’s goals, and how they leverage the experience.”
With that being said, Thomas does believe an MBA can be highly valuable, particularly when obtained from a top-tier school. The access to a robust alumni network and hands-on learning experiences distinguishes the best programs and consistently produces exceptional talent.
“For me, the MBA is not just about the credential—it’s about growth, transformation, and preparing for a meaningful career in a new field. And that kind of value is timeless.”
Ella Lambert – Master of Science in Finance at the Owen School of Business
1. Can you tell me a bit about your career path so far?
When Ella first started as an undergraduate right here at Vandy, she had no idea what she wanted to do in her future career. She delved into speech pathology, public policy, and general business. She knew what she wanted her career to promote—human flourishing—but she wasn’t sure “how to make that vision a reality.”
Ella recalled, “I distinctly remember a conversation with my roommate of four years, Gigi, who encouraged me to consider finance. She opened my eyes to the reality that, like it or not, money is often the catalyst for real change—and that the world needs more wise people to steward its resources. That conversation sparked my desire to learn the ‘language’ of finance.”
Her first professional internship was with a London-based startup, where she researched the market by engaging with finance professionals to address their challenges related to fintech and automation tools. The next summer, she interned with the investment team at CapitalSpring, a private equity firm in Nashville.
2. What were the key factors in your decision to pursue a master’s?
Ella studied human and organizational development here at Vanderbilt. About halfway through the program, she realized she was on track to graduate a semester early.
“As a student-athlete, it was important to me to use my full athletic eligibility, so I knew I wanted to stay at Vanderbilt for all four years. To make the most of my time, I decided to complete a semester over the summer before my junior year, allowing me to graduate a full year early and apply for one of Vanderbilt’s one-year master’s programs.”
Knowing she wanted to combine her technical knowledge of business with the “soft-side” skills she established in undergrad, “pursuing finance was a no-brainer.”
3. How would you say your master’s degree has impacted your professional trajectory thus far?
“I would say my master’s degree has strengthened my job search and served as a valuable point of leverage in conversations with potential employers. The professional environment at Owen has also mirrored the “real world” more closely than a traditional undergraduate program. We follow a dress code, communicate through Microsoft Teams, and collaborate on group projects with MBA students who already have several years of professional experience.”
4. In hindsight, would you do anything differently?
“I probably would have given the MAcc (Master of Accounting) program more serious consideration, but I can’t say I would have ultimately pursued it.”
Ella appreciates the value of technical knowledge involved in financial reporting, but she recognizes the broader applicability that a Master of Finance offers.
5. Do you think a master’s degree is becoming more or less valuable in today’s job market?
“It definitely depends on the individual and their unique career goals, but generally speaking, I believe a master’s degree is becoming less valuable in today’s job market.”
Contrary to Thomas’ response, Ella believes master’s degrees are devaluing in the job market.
“Effective networking has become the key to navigating career opportunities. There are many smart, competent people with master’s degrees who have done everything right on paper, yet still struggle to land a job in their desired industry.”
Ella wisely put, “While a master’s degree can certainly be helpful, it’s often more important to invest time outside the classroom—networking, applying, interviewing, and building relationships.”
Alexandra Baldwin – Master of Marketing at Owen School of Business
1. Can you tell me a bit about your career path so far?
Before coming to Owen, Alexandra was an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico. In her free time, she bartended at local bars owned by her father. Also on the side, she worked as a marketing manager.
2. What were the key factors in your decision to pursue a master’s?
Initially, Alexandra was interested in finance. But after taking a marketing course in her undergrad, she “fell in love” with the material.
“I didn’t feel like I had a deep understanding of it, so I wanted to pursue a master’s degree, just so I could really learn more skills and go fully into it as a career.”
3. How would you say your master’s degree has impacted your professional trajectory thus far?
“It’s definitely impacted me so much. This program has been absolutely life-transforming. Getting a master’s degree was definitely the best decision that I’ve made in my life so far.”
Alexandra notes that she didn’t come from a highly-ranked educational background. She attended UNM, which, while not top-ranked, provided her with a solid education. However, she wanted to challenge herself and grow further.
4. In hindsight, would you do anything differently?
When asked if she would do anything differently, the answer came quickly: not at all. In Alexandra’s view, this program has been life-changing in both her personal and professional growth.
5. Do you think a master’s degree is becoming more or less valuable in today’s job market?
Alexandra believes it’s becoming much more valuable. She described having conversations with her peers not pursuing a master’s degree who were struggling to make a decent salary or live the life they aspired to.
Alexandra said, “In the job market right now, it feels like you really need a master’s degree if you want to make anything for yourself.”
Concluding Thoughts
As you likely observed, all three Owen students had contrasting, unique perspectives on the value of a master’s degree. Two agreed that master’s degrees are pertinent to a successful career, while one argued that networking and building relationships are key drivers in long-term success.
All of these perspectives come from individuals with different backgrounds and educational pursuits. You may find yourself resonating with one or even all of these individuals. Whatever your case may be, it is important to take away one thing: a master’s degree can be extremely beneficial to your professional growth, but if you decide not to pursue one, you should focus on building relationships with the people around you. Ultimately, there isn’t just one path to a successful career. Whether through a master’s degree or meaningful connections, what matters most is being intentional about the route you take and the opportunities you seize.
