Is a master's degree worth it? | My LLM experience

This week, I reflect on my master's in law and discuss whether or not it was worth it.

*Contact and Goodies*

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Education and Learning
2:05 Relevance for Work
5:09 Relevance for Career Prospects
6:31 Social and Networking
7:20 Lifestyle
8:11 Value for Money

[evaistheway]

You have no idea how helpful your channel has been in navigating my job at a law firm given that I am not a law graduate myself. You and Em offer guidance I never knew existed; I am deeply grateful for all of your efforts and contributions. Sending you my best wishes always 🙏

[ignacioc.delacruz]

For me a Masters degree opened many more doors. During my undergraduate program I remember telling myself that after my undergraduate degree I was done with school and I did not want to be a student again. However later I became interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and in the United States, you need a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology to become a practicing SLP. Graduate school was tough for sure and thankfully I received funding for it, but I am definitely experiencing the reward. It really depends on the individual person if they are willing to put with up a few more years of school and the cost.

[Avant]

My Master’s in Economics has definitely help me in my career as a government worker in the States. I do a lot of Economic Analysis on the job market as to which industries are growing or shrinking. The best part of my Master’s in Economics was that I got to work on a lot of data science projects, in addition to your normal macroeconomics and microeconomics subjects. I also have a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance, so that has also helped with the career progression. Started my career as a Financial Analyst, went to graduate school, got Masters in Economics, and now I’m a Senior Data Scientist still within government. If I were to encourage any one to obtain their Masters, please do the research. As you stated graduate school is expensive!! Especially here in the States!!

[cee]

So cogent and helpful. I’m planning to get an LL.M. degree in the US and this clip guided me to grasp the general idea on the program. Thank you!

[nhyyyy]

OMG a really helpful video came out coincidentally after I expressed my concern about this topic in the last video ! Thank you so much! Though its quite a lil bit different in some aspects (Relevance For Work and Career Prospects) given the fact that i practise law in Vietnam and our legal systems are different, however, I still gain a very comprehensive perspective from you and your experience. And actually, Hong Kong is also one of my targeted destination to pursue LLM aswell so yeh I really enjoy and appreciate both of you guys' content just wanna say that <3 looking forward to the next video as usual!

[collinalexander]

I love how you edited different background music for each category! This video was really helpful and well edited and thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[jarrodsio]

LSE is one of my dream schools. Like you, I did my masters in the UK and I have to agree with you...it was a blast!

[dbtdljz]

Thanks for the video, very helpful ) i'm currently on my way to start MS degree, so now i am kinda more confident 😅

[realoneway]

I am a college student in mainland China and am currently preparing for master's program applications. Due to the high unemployment rate among young people and a challenging job market, many of my peers are opting to take the Master's examination. The competition for postgraduate programs is also very fierce, with a record number of 4.57 million applicants in 2022.

[sannadahlstrom]

Very interesting! As always. Thank you 🤗

[anguswang]

Highly appreciate the creative and thought-provoking content! And I would like to use my experience as an example to briefly introduce the situation on the Mainland, which may not be completely accurate and may not be applicable to everyone. The LLM degree is, to some extent, helpful in terms of competitiveness on the job market. However, it is highly dependent on the university from which you graduated and the undergraduate university. Students from US T14 and UK G5 law schools, for example, are unquestionably the best candidates for the top law firms on the Mainland. For the other graduates who obtained LLM degrees from other Unis (like myself), some law firms may believe we are not as "mature" compared with the graduates from the traditional Chinese Master's of Law track (3-year time period), and it just perfectly explains why I am still in a jobless status (I got laid off by my ex-company in December 2022). Anyways, the aforesaid scenario is only applicable to me and shall not be construed as a general one. Lastly, always enjoy watching content produced by you guys! Happy Lantern Festival!

[rolofrangipan]

I haven't been in education for 20 years and I've just been accepted on the LLM! I am terrified I will be out of my depth

[guoruisun]

Master's degree aka spend 5 hours a day at the school gym.

[Nobodyishere]

The law industry is a challenging job. It’s my dream as well. Please could you share what mentality it is good for this job? Thanks a lot.

[hamzahkhan]

I’m thinking of doing a tax LLM from NYU or Georgetown primarily to be able to apply for those lucrative jobs

[ksy]

still waiting for that one Cantonese video you didn't promise me

[amandaperera]

hey, do you need to know Chinese to become a solicitor there at Hong Kong?

[mr.ut]

if you want to pursue a master's, go for it. If you don't, don't do it.

[rhythmlueng]

Can't believe I am not the first to comment!

[danielmoore]

Hi Lloyd, I am a lawyer too and specialise in capital markets in London and Dubai, what are you going to use your MBA for ? To transition into a banker ? If so, why an MBA and not an MFin/MiF ?