To finish college is a hell of a challenge. You spend years getting a good grade and pass classes. There are so many projects, requirements, lessons, and reports. To top it all, college professors are definitely demanding. They expect only the best from a college student.
As you transition from a shallow-minded freshman to logical thinking senior in college, you start to realize the importance of education. You also realize that the higher the educational degree you take, the more opportunities you get outside of the university. That is when you wonder – should I take a graduate program?
Here are few tips, and suggestions to find out if taking your education to the next level is right for you.
Do you want to expand your knowledge?
Learning should be the main driving force for you to survive in graduate school. You’ll have a hard time if you don’t make this your priority. People who go to graduate school, either to take a master’s or doctorate, sacrifice a lot but these sacrifices are nothing compared to the knowledge they will acquire. For them, this is what matters most in going into grad school. How about you?
Are you aiming for better career opportunities?
Another reason why students get graduate degrees is it helps them get better job opportunities. A higher degree reflects on your intelligence, performance, character, and skills. It tells any prospective employer that you are competent to work for their company. Also, including your degree in your resume is like a flashing signal for attracting great companies.
If you decide to take a master’s degree, you’ll have the opportunity to take a leadership role when you start working. With a doctorate, you can teach in universities. Either degree will get you higher pay and benefit as well.
Is a higher degree even needed in your chosen career?
Before you decide whether to go to graduate school, analyze first if it can help you in your career. Sometimes, a higher degree is just that – a degree. It may improve your knowledge, but some jobs prefer experienced applicants. Would you rather spend years in school, learning the theories or taking a job, and learn through the hands-on application? You have to carefully note which path should you take.
Are you prepared for a long commitment?
Master’s programs usually take one to three years, while doctorate programs may take up to eight years. It is such a long time to spend studying. Are you willing to give away your time with your friends and loved ones? How about your personal time, will you sacrifice your hobbies? These programs are demanding. If you are not ready, you might experience depression and anxiety.
Can you support your studies?
After college, you are probably buried under piles of debt. Paying that debt off may be impossible if you jump immediately to grad school. Taking graduate programs adds to your financial commitments. Where will you get enough money to pay for the debt and grad school? A part-time job perhaps, or a sponsor to assist your education? Money is an important factor in your decision-making. Sometimes, even if you want to take that next big step your financial capability will hinder you.
Are you sure you are not just pressured?
Sometimes the pressure from your friends, family, or even yourself makes you jump into a decision without carefully thinking about it. The desire to be praised and respected by others because of your degree can be deceiving. You might enjoy it at first, but if you do something halfheartedly that desire will eventually waver and that will be extremely difficult for you.
The truth is, it takes a lot of thinking before deciding whether to go to a graduate program after college or not. Usually, money is the issue. You have to think about the debts you need to pay. You also have to know where to get the money to spend while studying. But you should also look at the positive side of it and consider the paths of opportunities that you might open. You may have a difficult time now but ahead is a brighter future for you.
Weigh all the factors in your decision-making, and remember what Denis Waitley said, “Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.”
Maddy Bertelsen is a writer, blogger and book lover. She just started her gradaute school, hoping to get her master’s degree in business administration and get promoted in her job. She currently works as marketing associate for best essay.