Master's Degree In Sea

[wasabi]

What career would someone pursue with a South East Asian master's degree? Ideally with an emphasis on Thailand and in particular the Thai language, but not exclusively. Are there any Universities in Thailand that offer this? Is there any practical use for such a degree? I would thoroughly enjoy it, however if it has no practical implication for a career I'd rather study the subject matter on my own.

Edited June 6, 2006 by wasabi

[ProfessorFart]

Chulalongkorn offer an MA in Thai Studies and Southeast Asian studies for overseas students. Check out their website.

Is there practical use for such a degree?

I have a BA in Thai Studies and was beginning to think not but then I got lucky.

What field is your batchelors degree in? An MA is only going to enhance your prospects of finding work. I will certainly take an MA in the next 5 years either at Chula or back in Europe.

[wasabi]

Chulalongkorn offer an MA in Thai Studies and Southeast Asian studies for overseas students. Check out their website.

Is there practical use for such a degree?

I have a BA in Thai Studies and was beginning to think not but then I got lucky.

What field is your batchelors degree in? An MA is only going to enhance your prospects of finding work. I will certainly take an MA in the next 5 years either at Chula or back in Europe.

I have a bachelors degree in English literature and 5 years experience in portfolio accounting. I was thinking such a degree could help me get a job like I have now but in Thailand but maybe it would make more sense to simply take a Thai language at Chula? I can't afford to do either right now so only hoping I find a way in the future.

[Dakhar]

An MBA with a forieng twist to it will bring in tons.

Think about it, it is a worl wide market now. But Thailand is a protective nation. China has better potential.

I envy you, wish I was in the "starting out" phase.

[wasabi]

An MBA with a forieng twist to it will bring in tons.

Think about it, it is a worl wide market now. But Thailand is a protective nation. China has better potential.

I envy you, wish I was in the "starting out" phase.

The problem with China is I have no interest in the place, no passion for it. I do recognize the potential there is very great. If a master's degree was lucrative enoguh I might consider taking out some kind of student loan and going for it. Unfortunately I'm not sure when, if ever Thailand will recieve serious investment interest. Even if the world isn't knocking at Thailand's door there is a stock market and financial hub there so while limited jobs must exist.

I'm not really starting out, I'm 31 and have a pretty good job here in America. I was very compulsive through most of my twenties, hoping from job to job and doing what I pleased with no concern for the future. Since going to Thailand I've began to take my financial future more seriously and don't take big risks anymore. I'll only pursue something if the reward makes it worthwhile.

Edited June 6, 2006 by wasabi

[ProfessorFart]

I tend to agree with Dakhar here. If you want to chase the money an MBA sounds the way to go especially with your accounting experience. You'd have a fair chance of getting an overseas posting in Thailand with an MBA under your belt plus 5 years experience I'd say (but I could be wrong!)

That said you could do as well with a MA in SEAsian or Thai however it would be harder.

I guess it boils down to why you would want to take an MA in SEAsian or Thai studies.

If your sole reason for taking an MA in Thai or SEAsian is hoping that it may facilitate your time out here then I'd say it may not unless you are looking to get into Academe.

One problem on a more practical note it that you will need a lot of existing knowledge (at least to BA level) about the region/country if you are to succeed in an MA including language to at least Bor Hok level if not higher.

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not having a go at your knowledge or language skills in any way as I know nothing about you.

[wasabi]

I tend to agree with Dakhar here. If you want to chase the money an MBA sounds the way to go especially with your accounting experience. You'd have a fair chance of getting an overseas posting in Thailand with an MBA under your belt plus 5 years experience I'd say (but I could be wrong!)

That said you could do as well with a MA in SEAsian or Thai however it would be harder.

I guess it boils down to why you would want to take an MA in SEAsian or Thai studies.

If your sole reason for taking an MA in Thai or SEAsian is hoping that it may facilitate your time out here then I'd say it may not unless you are looking to get into Academe.

One problem on a more practical note it that you will need a lot of existing knowledge (at least to BA level) about the region/country if you are to succeed in an MA including language to at least Bor Hok level if not higher.

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not having a go at your knowledge or language skills in any way as I know nothing about you.

No offense taken. My language skills are definitely not sufficient for a Master's degree in Thai alone, far from it. However if I was to study SEA I'd want to study Thai as well as a compliment.

One thing my boss has suggested is getting a CFA to open up oppurtunities worldwide. It's a good suggestion, the problem is I'm not that ambitious about learning more finance. Though that may change over time, for now I'm content with my job, I just wish it was in Thailand and I'm trying to figure out realistic ways to achieve that rather than pipe dreams.

[Dakhar]

So you want to WORK here. Notice, I did not use the workd LIVE here.

My point is, my friend if you want to work here.... that is just what you will do. Living, well that is for the unemployed.

Seriously, I never thought I would miss the 8-5 days and the 5 day work week. I took it for granted. I have been here for 6 weeks now. I leave the house at around 8 AM, and if I am lucky, I get back to the house by 8 PM. I then hit the computer and take care of business e-mail etc. It is a thrill to be able to see my son right before he shuts his eyes to go to sleep. Oh and that is my 6 day a week work schedule. Then there is Sunday, when I usually have to take care of more business issues, planning etc. So I lock myself up in the home office and type away, and cruise the net for more information.

My pay... from what I am told from my wife... a lot of Thai money... To me it is just a figure, it does not mean much, it really does not sink in.

In America, I made 6 figures, and to her, it really did not mean much, it really did not sink in. But my job... oh I could sometimes work 30 hours a week. On a bad day, I got home around 6 PM, but that maybe happened once a month, and when I did, the wife would be in huff.

So there you go, come and work here if you would like. They will work you, they will stretch for ever baht they pay you, and for some reason you get lost in the storm, and you just do what you do best.... your job.

But if you want to live here.... that my friend can be done on the cheap.

Good luck, and again, I would pick China... at least they have a 5 day week schedule.

[wasabi]

I've heard various unpleasant things about the Thai work place, it seems the most ideal would be a telecommuting job with a US salary based in Thailand. I wonder if you'd need a work permit for that. However in discussing this this thread will begin to get off topic and I am interested in the experience others have had with master's work and SEA studies.

[ProfessorFart]

You obviously have the passion and if you have the finances I would say give serious consideration to taking a BA in Thai first.

Starting over again as it were.

Only then would you have the foundation of knowledge needed to build up to an MA.

I seriously think that without that foundation of knowledge concerning Thailand or SEAsia you would struggle at MA level.

Again, no offence meant. An MA with no prior experience in ANY topic would be a big enough task let alone one in Thai Studies.

[Dakhar]

I've heard various unpleasant things about the Thai work place, it seems the most ideal would be a telecommuting job with a US salary based in Thailand. I wonder if you'd need a work permit for that. However in discussing this this thread will begin to get off topic and I am interested in the experience others have had with master's work and SEA studies.

I got a minor in Mandarin.... which does not do me much good in BKK. But my job sometimes requries me to fly to China. Then I get to use it some to get around. Most of the meeting are spoken in English.

and I do telecomute with a co. in the USA. I earn 100$ USD an hour, but I only do it 15 hours a week. That is just one of the 3 jobs I currently hold down, and I am negotiating with a 4th right now.

Got to go to bed, just got home, 30 minutes ago, and it is 10 PM now.

Take care and good luck to you.

[jdinasia]

hmmm 240k+ a month from a parttime telecommute job? and you are still putting in 50+ hour weeks?