Overview:
You will continue with the same topic you researched for your proposal and write a formal recommendation report that compares different options and recommends the best choice. If you worked with a partner on the previous project, you will need to continue to work with them on this. If you work with a partner, you need to compare at least three options rather than two. You also need to turn in a description of what each group member contributed to the report in your Appendix.
Why Are We Doing This:
Report writing is a common business writing task. As covered in the textbook, there are a variety of different reports you may need to write at work. This assignment is designed to give you a choice in a topic that interests you while also giving experience writing a formal report and helping you learn how to format a document with appropriate page numbers, table of contents, abstract, etc. This also gives you practice researching and organizing a longer document. While you may not write this exact kind of report in the workplace, the skills you use should be transferable to a variety of workplace writing situations, and writing this report may help you make the decision you are focusing on.
Type of Report:
Content-wise this will be a recommendation report. Guidelines on it are covered in chapter 20 in Howdy or Hello? and there are some student examples of past reports posted on Canvas. You can use the book for general guidelines on report writing but be sure you include all the below sections.
REQUIRED Elements (Organize in the order listed below):
Front Matter:
The front matter uses Roman numerals for page numbers, follow the number guidelines below:
The front matter will include:
A Letter of Transmittal written to me. This can be formatted as either a memo or letter – just follow the correct conventions for whatever format you choose. This should be one page at the most and should very briefly introduce the report – you don’t need this to be as detailed as the letter example in the book – three brief paragraphs will work. This doesn’t have a page number shown on it and doesn’t count as the first page. It’s like an attachment to the report.
A Title Page: Listing report title, author(s), person or people prepared for, and the date. This counts as Roman numeral i but the page does not show the number on it.
A Table of Contents: Lists the sections (typically the headings) of your report and corresponding page numbers. This is the first page to actually show a page number on it – Roman numeral ii.
List of Illustrations (or List of Figures): A table of contents to the illustrations or visuals in the report (do not include the actual visuals in this – just their titles and corresponding page numbers). Continue Roman numeral page numbering in this section if this is on its own page.
Executive Summary (one-page max): This is a short summary of the key facts of the entire report including a summary of the topic, research, options compared, and which one you are recommending. Continue Roman numeral page numbering.
Report Body:
The below elements are the main body of the report – use normal page numbers starting with “1” for the rest of the report. This should all be one section – don’t start each section on its own page:
Introduction: Your intro should orient your reader to your report. You can draw on some of the same info/wording that you used in your proposal for this, but this intro should be a little more detailed and should be written as if the research has already been done rather than something you are proposing to do. The intro section should include the following sections (actually list the below names out as different subheadings to organize your intro section, similar to the example in the book — but your intro section can be shorter length-wise than that example):
Background – Briefly introduce the report topic and supply any necessary background information your audience may need.
Problem and Purpose – Explain the purpose and problem you focused on (and be sure to identify the two or more options you compared against each other to solve the problem).
Scope – Answer the following questions in paragraph form: What are the limits of your topic – what did you not focus on because of limits on your time, money, or other things that are outside your control/you are unable to know? What audience is the focus for the report (there might be two audiences – the primary audience is me since it is written to me but what other secondary audiences might also find the content useful? Is it just a personal decision or does the decision potentially apply to a bigger group?).
Research Methods: This section should overview the research that you did for the report. Answer the following questions in paragraph form: What did you do to look for sources (e.g. where did you begin your research? Where did you find the most useful research?) Who did you survey or interview for your required primary source? Were there any sources you had trouble finding or that you didn’t include for any reason
Options Discussion: This section should compare the options you looked at (e.g. studying abroad in Spain vs Australia) against each other using the relevant criteria (e.g. costs of the trip, personal interest).
You can organize the elements of this section in whatever method seems logical, as long as you include the required info. For example, you might choose to go through each criteria point (e.g. costs/timeline/reliability) and discuss the positives and negatives for each option.
You should also break up the organization of this section with subheadings and integrate visuals and research in a logical manner throughout the body of the report.
Include your decision matrix either at the end of this section or somewhere near the beginning of the next section.
Recommendation and Conclusion:
Discuss which option you are recommending and why given everything that was discussed in the previous sections. Talk about why any advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
Discuss steps needed to pursue this option. (e.g. saving money, further research, etc.)
Back Matter:
A works cited page
A reflective letter outlining:
An explanation of any generative AI or other materials you used to create the report. Explain which tools you use and how you used them in different parts of the assignment. If you didn’t use any AI, then say that.
A brief explanation of what your process was for writing the report
If you worked with a partner, a section describing the different tasks each person performed.
Anything else you want me to know about the assignment while I’m grading it.
Optional Appendix items – e.g. surveys, glossary, additional charts, etc.
Additional Details:
Format and Design: The total page count (which includes the front matter and report body but not the back matter) will be about 12-15 pages. You can go one page over or under this page count as long as you are meeting the assignment requirements. It should be single-spaced with one line space between paragraphs (no indentations for paragraphs). The report should be typed in a professional font in 11 or 12pt size. The report will be submitted on Canvas and needs to be submitted as one document instead of multiple ones.
Research: You are required to use at least six credible sources and at least one of these needs to be a primary source (either a survey or interview). You should have some of these from the proposal, and you can add additional research too. Cite your source materials using in-text citations and a works cited list according to either MLA or APA style (only use source citation style for this – you don’t need to follow other requirements like double spacing or listing your name, class, etc. on the first page).
Visuals and Graphic Highlights: Use visuals (graphs, tables, etc.) to help your reader process the nuts and bolts of your report. (AT LEAST THREE ARE REQUIRED – at least one needs to be a decision matrix, and at least one needs to be an original chart or graphic that you created and aren’t just copying from a source). ALL figures should be introduced prior and followed by explanatory text and should include a caption that notes the source (if you created a chart or took a picture, list your own name). These should not be sloppily copied and pasted from a source. You’ll also want to organize the information so it’s easy to read using headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
Audience: I will be the audience for this report. You should address it to me and include any details that I would need to know on your topic. Be sure to maintain a professional tone throughout it.
This is what I have so far and the plan
To: Julie Vick
From: Rebecca Sawaged
Date: April 21, 2024
Subject: Final report about Working or a Master’s degree
after undergrad
This report was written as requested by you to evaluate the
advantages and disadvantages to working after college or going for a Master’s
degree right after completing my undergrad. This report goes through the
recommendations of each option to see which option would be the best for me to
go into.
I would recommend against going for a Master’s degree
because of the tuitions costs that would cost me thousands of dollars. I would
also not be making any money for a year where if I were to work it would not
cost any money, I would be making money. However, on the other hand, if I were
to go against working, I would increase my knowledge. After completing a
Master’s degree I could get a higher pay because I would have an advantage of
having more knowledge.
Thank you for letting me prepare the report for you. I hope
this report was beneficial and informative as I did decide what I want to do
for my career. If you have any questions or wish ro discuss the report any
further, please email me anytime.
Background
Once a student is nearing the end of their undergrad they have many decisions they need to face, they need to decide where they want to work, if they want to work right away, or go to a graduate program to further their education in order to benefit their future career. “You always have to take into consideration your career in totality” (Hess). Some aspects a student would think about to make a decision would include financial considerations, personal development, and market demand.
Problem and Purpose
The main purpose of this report is to know what is best to do after completing my bachelo’s degree. The first option would be to go straight into the work field in order to gain real world experience while completing multiple financial licenses to further my position in a company, or the second option, which would be to complete a master’s degree in business administration to further my knowledge of finances and gain more education on other business topics. This report will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of both options and will assist in choosing the best course of action for my future.
I decided to choose this topic because it fits with where I am at in my life. I am currently interning at Charles Schwab, and it’s a pivotal time for me to make decisions about my future. The reason I am debating what to do is that I aspire to become a financial advisor. To achieve this goal, I need to obtain multiple licenses, so going straight to work after my internship would better help further my career. However, I also have a desire to pursue a master’s degree to deepen my knowledge and potentially earn a higher salary in the future.
Scope
Limitations of this topic would include the risks of going into each option since I won’t be able to know the outcome of each option. If I were to pursue option one of completing a Master’s and I enter the workforce, there might be no difference if I were to have just a bachelor’s degree. I would be in a financial crisis due to debt and day-to-day living expenses. If I were to pursue option two of going straight into the work field after completing my undergrad, I could risk a bigger opportunity or an improvement of my future if I had completed a master’s rather than going into the workforce. The primary audience for this report would be Professor Vick. The secondary audience would be my self and any other students struggling with the same challenge. This decision directly impacts myself because of where I’m currently at in my life.
Research Methods
A majority of my research came from online resources such as news articles. Other resources include information gathered from people at my internship, specifically a coworker that ran into the same problem as I did and decided to complete her Master’s. I also talked to other people who went straight into the workforce and decided that getting a master’s was not for their future. Moving forward for the rest of the semester I plan to find a scholarly article to further gain more knowledge of the pros and cons of the two options discussed. I also plan to google more resources and look for articles that will help me sway to choose one option over the other.
Option Discussed
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION
Will consider factors such as tuition costs, potential student loan debt, lost income for not working, and future earnings potential with a master’s degree versus gaining work experience immediately.
Find the cost of a Master’s degree
Find the average boost of income you will get obtaining a Master’s degree and discuss it
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with just a high school degree earn $746 per week on average while college graduates earn closer to 1,248 per week, and workers with master’s degrees earn nearly $1,500 per week” (Hess)
Loan debt of a student going straight into work experience versus a student with a master’s degree
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Reflect on personal growth and skill development opportunities provided by each option
Real-world experience vs further knowledge development of my chosen education
Long-term career objectives–how does each option fit into my long term career goal
Completing licenses while going straight into the workforce versus well-rounded education on other business aspects, not just finance
Could this possibly set me back to complete these licenses? Or can I complete these licenses while getting my Master’s?
Does my chosen career field require further education? Can this be achieved without a Master’s degree?
MARKET DEMAND
Research the job market and industry trends related to finance
Evaluate the demand of professional with a bachelor’s degree versus those with a master’s degree
Consider factors such as salary potential, advancement opportunities, job availability
Salary boost of a certain master’s degree. For example if I were to master in finance I would only have a 15% boost, while an MBA would give me a 51% salary boost. (Hess)
Assess whether certain industries and employers value work experience more than the advance degree, or vice versa
Choosing an option that makes me more competitive in the work field and opportunities in the job market.
RESOURCES
Hess, Abigail Johnson. “The Master’s Degrees That Give the Biggest Salary Boost-up to 87% More Money.” CNBC, CNBC, 24 Sept. 2021, www.cnbc.com/2021/09/24/the-masters-degrees-that-give-the-biggest-salary-boostup-to-87percent.html.
1. Nair,
Madhu. “Getting a Master’s Right after a Bachelor’s: Is It Worth It?” University
of the People, 25 Oct. 2023, www.uopeople.edu/blog/masters-right-after-a-bachelors/#:~:text=However%2C%20a%20master’s%20degree%20coupled,on%20experience%20in%20your%20field.
a. This source goes through why you should go for
a master’s right away and why you shouldn’t.
2. Marte,
Jonnelle. “Is Graduate School Worth the Cost? Here’s How to Know. .” The
Washington Post , 2014, www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2014/12/02/is-graduate-school-worth-the-cost-heres-how-to-know/.
a. this
source goes into how grad school has it benefits and which jobs would be
potentially worth it to get a master’s. It also has staticts about if it pays
to go back to school.
3. “Going
to Graduate School vs. Gaining Work Experience after Undergrad.” IvyWise,
IvyWise, 29 Sept. 2023,
www.ivywise.com/ivywise-knowledgebase/resources/article/graduate-school-vs-work-experience/.
a. this
source goes into the advantage of working before going for a master’s and
comparing to going to graduate school right away.
Executive Summary
This report was written to help guide me on which way to go
after completing my final semester of my undergrad. I have been considering
whether or not to go for a master’s degree right after a bachelor’s degree
since the beginning of my college career. I decided to do this report to see
which option is beneficial for my career path. This report helped me decided
whether to work after an undergrad degree or to go for a master’s degree, there
was many factors to consider to be able to decide. In this report I went
through many factors and discuss them to see which option I should chose.
The three main factors that were used for the report were
financial consideration, personal development, and market demand. I used these
factors for my research, I researched how much it would cost me for a master’s
degree and as well as how much more of increase I would get for my career path.
My main sources to support the factors were news articles, scholarly article,
and a meeting I had with a coworker who completed her master’s degree. The
articles I had found were about the advantages and disadvantages for each
option. From all the research I gathered and speaking to a coworker I have
decided to complete a master’s degree after college.
