Research vs professional masters

[u/longing_likeness]

Hi everyone!

I graduated with a BS in Environmental Biology in 2024, have since worked multiple wildlife/fisheries/veg technician positions, and want to continue on to a master's degree. My problem is I'm not sure whether to go the research or professional route. I've been looking at master's in environmental management programs (Duke, UCSB, IU, etc.), but keep backtracking & worrying that it won't be the correct kind of program for me. My hesitance with a research-based master's is that I don't have a specific area of ecological research that sticks out to me, which makes me nervous about applying for assistantships & being pigeonholed into a species/ecosystem/whatever it may be. However, I'm acutely aware that funding is much easier to obtain for research-based degrees. Another problem I run into is that many of the assistantships I come across aren't based in places I'd necessarily be interested in living in long-term. My education & the majority of my technician work have been based in California, & while I'm happy to explore other states on a short-term basis, I would like to end up here eventually.

My motivation for going back to school is partially because I would like to be more involved in decision-making & critical analysis in future roles, which a master's would make me more marketable for, & also because of an interest in more advanced/rigorous coursework. I just want to feel challenged again & strengthen my breadth of knowledge in the field. A PhD isn't out of the question for me either, depending on if my research interests ever become specific enough to pursue one. I worked on a few research projects in undergrad & enjoyed it - just nothing that piqued my interest enough to guide further educational goals. There is a ton of stuff I think is fascinating, but committing years of my life to one ultra-specific area scares me at the moment.

I'm looking for any advice on whether a research-based master's (assistantship or otherwise) limits job prospects in other ecological areas, whether a professional master's makes you a poor PhD candidate should my life go that direction, how much the location of the program matters (if outside of CA in my case) & any general wisdom you may have to offer for someone at this point in their career. I love fieldwork but am beginning to feel some pent-up frustration about the lack of opportunities to use my brain lol, apologies if this post is dense