Daniella
How important is going to graduate school?
Many successful people seem to have made it in life outside of the school and degree system. Is the investment in time and money with it?
#graduate-school #phd #higher-education
4 answers
Kortnee Burrell, M.Ed.
Kortnee’s Answer
It depends upon your career goals/interests. As a higher education professional, I recommend you speak with your Academic Advisor regarding graduate school opportunities. Research on the internet salaries for those with a graduate degree in your field of interest. I pursued my graduate degree at the age of 23, and I earned my Master of Education at the age of 25. You'll know the best time to go back to graduate school! Best of luck with your educational and professional endeavors!
Erina McWilliam-Lopez
Erina’s Answer
Hi Daniella, First and foremost work experience is fundamental to getting clear about how you want to carve out your life and career. I wouldn’t recommend jumping directly from college to grad school unless you are able to at least work on the side and add tangible market-based skills to your resume. Graduate School is important for careers in industries such as education, international development, economic development, and public administration. If you are primarily focused on private sector or corporate career-building, you should think very carefully about what graduate degree program would produce a return for the investment. There are also a growing number of great MOOCs or other short professional Certificate trainings that can help you grow your skills before committing to a graduate degree. Sign up with Udemy or Coursera to view the abundance of course options based on your interests.
Benjamin Larson
Benjamin’s Answer
It all depends on you're goals. If you want to work in education or science, you'll most likely need at least a masters degree. If you want to be senior management at a large corporation, you'll probably benefit from an MBA. Where I work, most people have graduate degrees, but I work in data science.
The majority of people I know are doing just fine with just an associates or bachelors degree or specialized training (I know a welder who owns a boat worth more than my house).
Generally graduate school is highly specialized professional training. If you have no interest in pursuing that line of work, then the degree will be of no use to you. The great news is though, graduate school is not a decision you need to make right away. Many people go back for graduate education in their 30's and 40's (even 50's and 60's).
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
How vital is it to attend graduate school?
The significance of graduate school can vary, but it's often critical for those aiming to gain specialized knowledge, refine their skills, and climb the career ladder in certain sectors. Here are some essential factors to consider about the value of graduate school:
Gaining Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Graduate programs provide a deep dive into specific knowledge and specialized training that can boost your expertise in a chosen field. This is particularly important for careers requiring advanced comprehension and skills, such as academia, research, healthcare, law, engineering, among others.
Advancing Your Career: In numerous professions, notably academia, research, healthcare, law, business management, and more, a graduate degree is frequently a prerequisite for career progression. It can pave the way for higher-ranking positions with more responsibilities and superior compensation.
Building a Professional Network: Graduate school offers a stage to connect with professionals in your field, professors, researchers, and like-minded students. Networking during your graduate studies can lead to collaborations, mentorship, job referrals, and career growth.
Personal Growth: Undertaking a graduate degree can also foster personal development by intellectually challenging you, refining your critical thinking skills, improving problem-solving abilities, and promoting a deeper comprehension of intricate issues within your chosen field.
Research Opportunities: A lot of graduate programs include research projects or thesis work, enabling students to explore specific topics of interest and contribute fresh knowledge to their field. Participating in research can sharpen analytical skills and ready individuals for careers necessitating evidence-based decision-making.
Credentialing: In certain professions like psychology (Ph.D., Psy.D.), medicine (M.D.), law (J.D.), or academia (Ph.D.), a graduate degree is required for professional licensure or certification.
The value of attending graduate school can vary based on individual goals and career ambitions. It's crucial to carefully balance the advantages against the costs linked with pursuing advanced degrees.
Numerous successful individuals appear to have achieved their goals outside the traditional school and degree system. Is the investment in time and money worthwhile?
The decision to invest time and money in graduate school hinges on various factors unique to each person’s situation:
Career Ambitions: If your career path necessitates an advanced degree for entry or advancement (like becoming a doctor or university professor), then investing in graduate education might be essential to reach your professional goals.
Return on Investment (ROI): Evaluate the potential financial returns from acquiring a graduate degree against the cost of tuition and lost earnings during the study period. Investigate job market trends in your field to determine if a higher earning potential justifies the investment.
Passion for Learning: If you have a sincere interest in advancing your education, conducting research, or mastering a specific subject beyond undergraduate studies, pursuing a graduate degree can be personally rewarding, irrespective of immediate financial benefits.
Industry Requirements: Some sectors highly regard advanced degrees as signs of expertise and dedication to professional growth. In such instances, possessing a graduate credential may provide you an advantage over other candidates.
Alternative Routes: While formal education is one route to success, many successful individuals have reached their goals through entrepreneurship, practical experience gained on the job, mentorship relationships, self-directed learning initiatives like online courses or certifications.
In the end, whether investing time and money in graduate school is worthwhile depends on aligning your educational endeavors with your long-term career goals, considering personal satisfaction and financial implications.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Third Way & Global Strategy Group Research: This research offered insights into the views of current and recent graduate students about their outcomes after graduating from various programs.
Gap Year Association: Data from the Gap Year Association highlighted the advantages of taking a gap year for career insight before pursuing further education or entering the workforce.
U.S News: U.S News provided statistics on college graduates pursuing continuing education post-graduation.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.