Good morning gurus in the house. Please I need a professional advice on this. I have been planning to go for a masters degree in GEOGRAPHY with options in the following areas ÷÷÷÷
(a) Environmental management
(b) Geomorphology
(c) Regional Development Planning
(d) Rural development and Resources Management
(e) Biogeography
(f) Transportation
So, I am confused as to the option to pick. Which of these options is more lucrative?
I plan going for a lecturing job in future after my Doctorate degree.
Which of these also can fetch me good money outside lecturing?
Please your professional advice is needed. Thank you all as I look forward to getting positive responses from you guys
The above options are actually offered in my preferred university .I chosen this university because, one can finish the programme wetin one year.
There is this other university that has the following options in addition to the aforementioned courses
(g) Climatology
(h) Geographic information System
(I) Hydrological and water resources management
(J) Disaster Risk management
But the issue with this university (UNIPORT),it takes up to 2 years and above to finish there.
and you pay school fee per year

It's well

The first step to a successful academic career is having the right orientation. So, I would advice that you get in touch with the following first hand
1) Your institution of interest: Chosing the right university to acquire a PG certificate is very essential because it will determine whether you'll finish the said degree in a record time or not. The wrong choice of institution will frustrate your dreams and cause severe depression and regrets. So, ensure you ask appropriate questions in person. You must visit the institution in person. Look for previous graduate of the institution, ask them critical questions that include a) lecturers adherence to timetable b) student lecturers relationship c) departmental interpersonal relationships d) supervisor students relationship and other questions that will help you graduate early etc

2) Your supervisor: Your supervisor holds the keys to your success, so you must know and understand his/her personality. You must ensure you read and understand his research interest. Also, you must acknowledge whether his thesis is affordable by you. Can you foot his kind of research interest? You must also know his/her relationship with students. Can he read your work in record time and push your research because most times the supervisors provide the necessary push that'll encourage timely graduation of students. The wrong supervisor will elongate your stay in school and possibly lead to waste of scarce research resources.

3) your financial standing: How much do you have at hand to start your PG journey? Do you have a sponsor or not? Here you really need not to have a billion naira to start a PG but you really need to be hardworking enough to provide for your academic and research needs. PG is a journey you make alone so you need to be financially smart to sustain your study.

4) time availability for your study: How much in time are you willing to offer for your study? You must prioritize your schedule and assign more time to research and learning. The challenges are there but if you're working on your passion, you'll find it interesting

5) then your passion and relevance of your research to the present economy which includes; if the chosen area of research can yield enough fund. This information you must seek in person, you must create a financial niche were your research fits in perfectly. In academics it's always your passion (fun) that yields money (fund).

My Story: During my BSc I had strong passion for organic chemistry, so I did my MSc in organic chemistry. It was very difficult at first but my love for organic chemistry sustain my interest in the thesis. Then, during my PhD I developed strong passion for computer aided drug design and discovery and it's application to sickle erythrocyte gelation. The passion for this research interest sustained my stay in PhD till graduation. After my MSc I helped someone interpret his spectra (NMR, GCMS, IR, UV-Vis) and I was paid for it. Not much but I was happy that the skills I acquire have paid me

My point: Leave your comfort zone and make physical contacts with people and institutions.

You'll go places. Congratulations in advance. Stay blessed.

Thanks for your professional advice .Alot to get from it

I will advise you major in GIS

Paulheyman:
The first step to a successful academic career is having the right orientation. So, I would advice that you get in touch with the following first hand
1) Your institution of interest: Chosing the right university to acquire a PG certificate is very essential because it will determine whether you'll finish the said degree in a record time or not. The wrong choice of institution will frustrate your dreams and cause severe depression and regrets. So, ensure you ask appropriate questions in person. You must visit the institution in person. Look for previous graduate of the institution, ask them critical questions that include a) lecturers adherence to timetable b) student lecturers relationship c) departmental interpersonal relationships d) supervisor students relationship and other questions that will help you graduate early etc

2) Your supervisor: Your supervisor holds the keys to your success, so you must know and understand his/her personality. You must ensure you read and understand his research interest. Also, you must acknowledge whether his thesis is affordable by you. Can you foot his kind of research interest? You must also know his/her relationship with students. Can he read your work in record time and push your research because most times the supervisors provide the necessary push that'll encourage timely graduation of students. The wrong supervisor will elongate your stay in school and possibly lead to waste of scarce research resources.

3) your financial standing: How much do you have at hand to start your PG journey? Do you have a sponsor or not? Here you really need not to have a billion naira to start a PG but you really need to be hardworking enough to provide for your academic and research needs. PG is a journey you make alone so you need to be financially smart to sustain your study.

4) time availability for your study: How much in time are you willing to offer for your study? You must prioritize your schedule and assign more time to research and learning. The challenges are there but if you're working on your passion, you'll find it interesting

5) then your passion and relevance of your research to the present economy which includes; if the chosen area of research can yield enough fund. This information you must seek in person, you must create a financial niche were your research fits in perfectly. In academics it's always your passion (fun) that yields money (fund).

My Story: During my BSc I had strong passion for organic chemistry, so I did my MSc in organic chemistry. It was very difficult at first but my love for organic chemistry sustain my interest in the thesis. Then, during my PhD I developed strong passion for computer aided drug design and discovery and it's application to sickle erythrocyte gelation. The passion for this research interest sustained my stay in PhD till graduation. After my MSc I helped someone interpret his spectra (NMR, GCMS, IR, UV-Vis) and I was paid for it. Not much but I was happy that the skills I acquire have paid me

My point: Leave your comfort zone and make physical contacts with people and institutions.

You'll go places. Congratulations in advance. Stay blessed.

Thanks for your professional advice. Which of the options should I go for?

KnightofMoscow:
I will advise you major in GIS

Thank you bro. I am afraid the preferred university is does not offer GIS.I would have really preferred it

Paulheyman:
The first step to a successful academic career is having the right orientation. So, I would advice that you get in touch with the following first hand
1) Your institution of interest: Chosing the right university to acquire a PG certificate is very essential because it will determine whether you'll finish the said degree in a record time or not. The wrong choice of institution will frustrate your dreams and cause severe depression and regrets. So, ensure you ask appropriate questions in person. You must visit the institution in person. Look for previous graduate of the institution, ask them critical questions that include a) lecturers adherence to timetable b) student lecturers relationship c) departmental interpersonal relationships d) supervisor students relationship and other questions that will help you graduate early etc

2) Your supervisor: Your supervisor holds the keys to your success, so you must know and understand his/her personality. You must ensure you read and understand his research interest. Also, you must acknowledge whether his thesis is affordable by you. Can you foot his kind of research interest? You must also know his/her relationship with students. Can he read your work in record time and push your research because most times the supervisors provide the necessary push that'll encourage timely graduation of students. The wrong supervisor will elongate your stay in school and possibly lead to waste of scarce research resources.

3) your financial standing: How much do you have at hand to start your PG journey? Do you have a sponsor or not? Here you really need not to have a billion naira to start a PG but you really need to be hardworking enough to provide for your academic and research needs. PG is a journey you make alone so you need to be financially smart to sustain your study.

4) time availability for your study: How much in time are you willing to offer for your study? You must prioritize your schedule and assign more time to research and learning. The challenges are there but if you're working on your passion, you'll find it interesting

5) then your passion and relevance of your research to the present economy which includes; if the chosen area of research can yield enough fund. This information you must seek in person, you must create a financial niche were your research fits in perfectly. In academics it's always your passion (fun) that yields money (fund).

My Story: During my BSc I had strong passion for organic chemistry, so I did my MSc in organic chemistry. It was very difficult at first but my love for organic chemistry sustain my interest in the thesis. Then, during my PhD I developed strong passion for computer aided drug design and discovery and it's application to sickle erythrocyte gelation. The passion for this research interest sustained my stay in PhD till graduation. After my MSc I helped someone interpret his spectra (NMR, GCMS, IR, UV-Vis) and I was paid for it. Not much but I was happy that the skills I acquire have paid me

My point: Leave your comfort zone and make physical contacts with people and institutions.

You'll go places. Congratulations in advance. Stay blessed.

This is very insightful, Paul. Thank you for sharing.

OP, I suggest you equip yourself in this order: 1, 5, 4, 3 and then 2 since you have a preferred institution already except you haven't really made up your mind about that ofcourse. Now, you need to read up on these track options, what do you intend to achieve, which problem will this potentially solve in the society, etc. Think deeply. If not, you may have to check other institutions for that track option you have in mind orrr for other options you're not aware of, who knows, you may actually find one interesting.

It was a 5-1-4-3-2 thing for me when I started my PG journey cos I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The choice of institution was a tough one cos I actually didn't mind leaving my comfort zone but then with the insecurity I couldn't, I had to stay back. I did have time so yeah I factored that in as well. I wasn't there yet with 3 but a good support system was a lot more. You can't really know 2 until you've been officially assigned to one, hence it takes the last seat(for me). Yeah, in the course of 1, getting necessary info from senior colleagues or graduates of your preferred institution, probably you heard one or two about a few lecturers/supervisors but even at that you can't actually tell which one/two of them would be assigned to you(that's the suspense sooo wait for it lol).

All in all, just try to relate well with your supervisor(s), other lecturers, your colleagues, everyone. Be diligent. Good luck!

Jodasy:
Thanks for your professional advice. Which of the options should I go for?

As a chemist I know little to nothing about geography, I am not well placed to advise you on the issue at hand. The little I can is to bring to your notice the necessary steps needed to get all the information that'll assist you in making the right choice.

Stay blessed

Paulheyman:


As a chemist I know little to nothing about geography, I am not well placed to advise you on the issue at hand. The little I can is to bring to your notice the necessary steps needed to get all the information that'll assist you in making the right choice.

Stay blessed

Thank's I will really appreciate