Expanding the range of possibilities for theoretical and practical development in their respective areas of study is one of the goals of choosing the right line of research and elective courses in stricto sensu programs. That is why Adriana Arcuri, a student of the Academic Doctorate in Business Administration (CDAE) at the São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EASP), and Alexandre Leão, a student of the Professional Master's in International Management (MPGI) at FGV EAESP, spoke a little more about the topic to clarify doubts. 

In the master's and doctoral programs, research lines are developed through research projects that seek to contribute to the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge, as well as to the solution of practical and relevant problems for society and the market. Students have the opportunity to actively participate in these projects, collaborating with renowned professors and researchers, and contributing to the production of innovative and high-quality knowledge. 

As for elective courses, these are carefully selected to offer comprehensive and up-to-date training, covering emerging topics and market trends, as well as tools and methodologies relevant to professional practice. In this way, students have the opportunity to improve their skills and competencies in specific areas, expanding their perspectives of action and contributing to their qualified insertion in the job market. 

“In my case, within a corporate career, I think it makes a big difference to have the experience of a professional master's degree or a doctorate, because I think it gives you depth and rigor in research work that ends up generating capabilities and soft skills,” said Alexandre. 

Read the full interview below. 

What is the opportunity to take electives in the master's and doctorate like? 

Adriana - This greatly increases our ability to understand other subjects, to expand the discussion and even to look for topics of affinity. We have the possibility of building our curriculum to help us later on when writing our dissertation and thesis. 

Alexandre – In addition to complementing my training in a very important way, it also contributed to adding this knowledge to my dissertation, which also involves the theme of sustainability. 

How does the line of research impact the dissertation?  

Adriana - The line of research is essential when choosing the theme of your thesis or dissertation. In my case, since it is a doctorate, it would be a thesis. I chose the marketing research line because of the greater affinity and because my entire career was within it.  

How are electives and research lines part of your daily academic life? 

Alexandre - This possibility of choosing topics that you have a greater affinity with already drives and motivates you to want to learn more about that subject, to develop research. So in a way, this freedom of being able to choose electives or different lines of research also leads to a much better constructed dissertation, because we actually work with topics that we like, have affinity with and would like to develop further. 

What impact has it had on your career? 

Alex - In my case, within a corporate career, I think that having the experience of a professional master's degree or a doctorate is a great advantage, because this brings a depth and rigor to research work that ends up generating capabilities, soft skills, that go far beyond just carrying out research at the end of the day. I work with many people who have master's degrees or doctorates and this is seen as a differentiator. I think that more and more companies should see this as a differentiator. 

Adriana – I worked in the corporate world in the marketing area and then I came to specialize, I got a master's and a doctorate and now I want to go into academia. But I might also go back because between my master's and doctorate I also had an opportunity and went to work in the corporate world. This exchange is important and even though I have had previous experience, it helps me a lot to delve deeper into theoretical topics and I think it also helps me in the classroom with real examples that I have experienced so that I don't just stick to theory, so I think this exchange is very important. 

To learn more about the Master's and Doctorate Programs available at FGV EAESP,  visit the website . 

This article is part of the series  Beyond Academia , read the other content in the series below:

• #01 |  Scholarships: Learn more about the models available for Masters and Doctorate degrees 

• #02 |  Master's Degree: See how it is possible to combine work and studies throughout the course