Is Grad School Right for Me?

By: Emmy Petit-Frere, Peer Advisor 

As the end of my undergraduate career approaches, I find myself asking, “Is Grad School Right for Me?” I’m sure I’m not the only one who has their doubts and fears about rushing into Graduate School. After speaking with many recent grads, advisors, and reading up on some articles, there were 2 key questions that helped me in deciding whether Graduate School would be right for me. 

Is a graduate degree a requirement for my desired career industry?

This is an important question. Is it truly necessary for you to go straight to Grad School for your particular career objectives? If you’re looking to be a lawyer or doctor, then it’s obvious you will need a Graduate degree to pursue your career objective. If it’s not, then you may not want to rush into a graduate program. Get some experience in your field, determine if you like it, and then revisit the idea of Grad School. The positive of doing this is possibly having your employer pay for your graduate program, and you’ll have the peace of mind of doing the right thing.

Will grad school be a financial burden?

It’s time to use some of those economics skills you learned in Undergrad to determine the cost-benefit analysis of grad school. Find out the costs of the different Grad programs you are considering. Speak with the institution's financial assistance department; seek out grants, scholarships, and assistantships. Make sure that this investment you will be making won’t turn into an unforeseen financial burden. 

There are many more questions that can be addressed when considering Graduate School as an option, but these two seem to be ones most are concerned with. While Graduate School is a great place to further your knowledge on your subject of interest, it requires some decision making to ensure it is the right place for you, given your career objectives. 

Still having trouble figuring out if Grad School is right for you? Swing by Toppel’s, “Is Grad School Right for Me?” information session on Tuesday, October 15^th at 6:30 pm at the Toppel Career Center. RSVP on HireACane! Look forward to seeing you there!

Is Graduate School Right for You?

By: Bree Blair

Have you been thinking about graduate school? Are you still not sure if it would be a good fit for you? I don't know about you, but thinking about even more school after this is a little frightening to me. With big commitments, making the right decision is extremely important. Here are some tips and questions to ask yourself to make sure you're making the best decision possible for your future!

What is your ultimate career goal? If you have a career in your mind that you know you would love waking up everyday for, then it's worth the time to see if it requires graduate school. If it does, then graduate school would be perfect for you because you have a strong reason behind your decision. Although it may be a lot of work, it will be well worth it in the end to be able to wake up everyday with the career you have always dreamed about! On the opposite hand, if you lack motivation, it may be too much to take on. Sure, many people have ideal jobs in mind, but not everyone is willing to do whatever is necessary to get there. If you are having any doubts or lacking passion in that subject matter, then there are plenty of other options for you; graduate school just might not be the right one.

Another thing to consider is the dreaded F word: finances.
You may or may not already have an amount of money on your loans to buy a mansion, but you're about to pile on even more. If you have plans to move into a new home right after graduating undergraduate studies while still attending graduate school, you might want to rearrange your plans a little bit. Unless you're a millionaire- then it's fine. Graduate school is an investment of not just your time but your money as well, which is why it is so important to make sure you're passionate, confident, and ready to take it on.

 If you're thinking about taking time off before going to graduate school, you might want to look a little more into your ultimate career. Is it easier to advance within the company if you have a graduate degree? If so, of how much importance is that to you? It's a lot to think about all at once, but it is really helpful in the long run. Talking to current employees who are a part of your ideal company could also be very beneficial to you. Learning about the experience of others, especially those whose paths you are interested in, can give you a new insight as to what you should be accomplishing. Lay out your options, follow your passions, and choose what is best for you!