Will working for two to three years after my master's help me decide on further studies or a career?

The value of those two or three years isn't automatic, it depends entirely on whether the job you take actually tests the path you're weighing. A role that happens to pay well but has nothing to do with your intended specialisation tells you very little about whether a PhD, MBA, or another master's is genuinely worth pursuing.

Choose the First Job Strategically, Not Just Any Job

• Test the subject, not just the paycheck: A field can be interesting academically but unsatisfying as day-to-day work, and you only learn that by doing it.
• Build financial independence: A few years of income gives you more flexibility about when and where you study next, without leaning entirely on family funds or loans.
• Map the skills gap: Working exposes what employers actually value and where your degree left gaps, which is far more specific than guessing from outside the industry.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself Each Year

At the end of each year, check in honestly: Do I enjoy the actual work, not just the subject it's built on? Am I getting noticeably better at something valuable? Do I want to keep progressing in this industry? Would another degree genuinely change my opportunities, or just add a credential? If I went back to university now, what specific problem would the degree solve? Answering these consistently gives you a far more informed decision than choosing another degree immediately out of uncertainty.

My Advice

Don't treat the two to three years as passive waiting time before a decision gets made for you. Set a rough milestone, for example a one-year check-in and a full reassessment at year two or three, so the decision doesn't quietly drift into simply continuing to work by default. If you're leaning toward a PhD, an MBA, or a second master's, look specifically for a first job that touches that area, even if it isn't a perfect match.