Work experience before masters?

Reference: http://www.oyewiki.com/education/work-experience-before-masters-12-6-2017

This is a dilemma many undergraduate students face while taking decisions for pursuing masters. I chose to work for two years as software engineer at a MNC with an undergraduate in computer science. I shall weigh both the pros and cons of this decision:

Pros:

1. You get a clearer understanding of what you are really want to do. i.e job or pursue research. This helps you invest both time and money at the right places.

2. You get a wider perspective of how industries work which is very important to know how jobs will actually be. So, there is no place for assumption.

3. It helps you leverage the power of what you learnt in your undergraduate degree. I feel you should space out the two degrees rather than doing back to back, as gives both the university and yourself a sense of purpose of you really knowing why and what you want to do.

4. You get time to explore and experiment with various fields in the area you want to graduate and improve your profile. I personally benefitted, I could narrow upon my likes and dislikes and work upon my weaknesses.

5. You don't feel lost at interviews while appearing while pursuing masters as you are acquainted about the areas to concentrate and well versed about being a candidate that a company expects. Also said, you are also experienced, which is what most companies prefer.

6. You might be able to gather some funds, which can be used to pay for your masters.

7. A good experience of how companies work in indian markets. You won't be a newbie here if you plan to come back to India to settle.

Cons:

1. Time! Sadly, you lose out time to your peers in terms of graduating. While you are earning in rupees, they might earn in dollars. Also, they get acquainted to a better environment with jobs, education quicker than you.

2. I have heard that many people feel settled in their jobs in India, ingraining laziness, which makes them drop their plans of masters.

3. You are always in dual minds, you might be unable to concentrate on your current job, as the plan of masters is in the back of your mind.

4. If you are interested in research, this decision might act negatively as the research opportunities are best abroad.

5. Loosing out time to delve in innovative projects which is crucial in the early stages of your career.

The decision should be carefully taken weighing both the advantages and disadvantages. If you have enough experience with internships and papers while in undergraduate and corely interested in research, you should immediately go for masters. If you want a better understanding, gathering funds and your interests lie in job opportunities, you should consider job experience