Editor, RE: “Post-graduate studies: When is the best time to upgrade?” (The New Times, August 3). This is not unique to Rwanda or Africa only. Even in developed countries, where the rate of unemployment is very low, underemployment of post-graduates can and does happen after graduation. The exception is that it is easier for them to move up quickly than in our countries. Of course, due to low unemployment and the fact that most of them have work experience. Also, in developed countries, you are several times more likely to get hired into a management position if you have an undergraduate degree accompanied with years of experience than if you have a master’s degree with no work experience at all. In some cases, experience can even count more than your degree. You are also several times more likely to excel in your post-graduate degree studies if you join after working in your field of study for some time than if you join immediately after graduation. My advice to our graduates is this: If you can land a job in your field of study right after graduating, please go for it and do your master’s later. Seth
