Like the others have said, don't enter a program until you know what the end-game should look like. Simply getting a Masters degree doesn't automatically make you qualified, or more valuable, in the eyes of certain employers.
Your loose direction of maybe military, maybe civilian, means you still aren't sure. You are also finishing your undergraduate degree so things may happen (good or bad) by the time you graduate. While its important to know if you plan to continue your education, before you graduate with your undergraduate degree, you should also understand what career choice you want to make before then as well. This combined with an understanding of what an employer looks for, in your chosen career, will help you decide to continue your education or not.
If you take a military track, do NOT enter a Masters degree. Enter the military (preferably as an officer) and let the military pay for your continued education. They WILL have opportunities for you to get additional education and training, no matter where you are stationed. Even ship-board duty (as a marine or naval officer) has educators who are on board to provide education. But again, if you elect to do this, think about your military career, or civilian career once your military obligation is complete.
If you choose a civilian track, make sure your career choice has additional opportunities for people with advanced education. While software, phamaceutical, legal, medical research, academia and a host of other "professional" career paths pay more for those with an advanced degree, others wont even hire unless you have an advanced degree. Career paths like law enforcement, photography, truck driving, and other "blue collar" type jobs may not have as many opportunities for those with advanced degrees. Think about where you want to end up then talk to someone already in that position. Find out if it makes sense to continue beyond your undergraduate degree.
Good luck.
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Last edited by Untamed; 10-21-2008 at 09:31 AM.
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