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Deciding If, When, And Where To Go To Graduate School
A Practical Guide for Considering Graduate School
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Are you a rising senior in undergrad weighing the options of continuing your education as soon as you complete your bachelor's?
Have you been out of school for 5 or 10 (or more) years but are looking to redirect your career?
Or are you looking to advance in your current career and you’re realizing you need that next degree — or a different degree — in order to do so?
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A Guide to Financing Graduate School in 2017
This guide will help you address your concerns regarding financing graduate school.
Understanding the R.O.I of a Graduate Business Degree
This informative resource examines the costs and benefits of pursuing a graduate degree.
A Guide to Graduate Assistantships at WVU
This guide showcases the various programs and benefits of being a part of a graduate assistantship.
Subscribe to The Summit Ahead
Subscribe to our graduate education blog and join a community of other working professionals in reading, sharing, and discussing ideas surrounding career and educational advancement.
30% decline in postal workers by 2018
WHAT JOBS ARE DYING OUT?
AND WHAT JOBS ARE EMERGING?
According to Forbes, the future isn’t looking too good for some occupations.
Careers like computer operators, radio operators, semiconductor processors, office and administrative support workers, and telemarketers are dying out, and if you're involved in a career that is on a downward path towards extinction, going back to school for your next degree could help you better decide what to do once your initial career is no longer providing for you.
On the other hand, what are the newest professions on the rise? Jobs
No matter your industry, if one of your professional goals includes managing people, then earning a graduate degree will help you develop the skills necessary to advance within your chosen field.
Your undergraduate degree most likely focused on the disciplinary aspects of your field, while a graduate degree will put emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and managerial capabilities.
Thus, in order to advance to a position of authority over others in your field, you will need to consider pursuing a graduate degree in whatever your chosen field is.
Where:
While there are many factors to consider when choosing a graduate school — rankings, school reputation, success of alumni, faculty expertise, and networking opportunities — it’s also important to strategically pick an institution based on your area of study. For instance, if you choose to study agricultural sciences, agronomy, or forestry, it might make sense to pick a program based out of a more rural area
Conversely, if you are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in IT or business management, it would make sense to choose an institution in an industrial area known for being a hotbed of technology and corporations.
When:
Statistics show that, in many institutions, the average graduate student is in his/her mid to late 30s. Waiting to attend graduate school until you have some real-life experiences (both personal and professional) could help you pinpoint exactly what you want to study, help you prepare financially for a graduate program, and give you time to mature.
Thus, while there is no stigma in going back to school as an older student, many studies will show that it’s an easier transition if you go straight from undergrad to graduate school. Many people find it difficult to go back to school after an extended period of time away from an academic program.
Ultimately, there is no definitively right time for you to go to graduate school. The decision on when to pursue a graduate degree has to be one that you make with much consideration regarding what works best for you.
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A Master's Degree can increase your salary by 100%
MAKING YOUR DECISION
So you’re closer to making the decision to attend graduate school. But now you might be wondering, what are your options for actually getting graduate school done while handling the multiplicity of other roles you’re juggling in your life?
In other words, what degree option makes the most sense for you and your “why?” before deciding what makes the most sense for you, consider the pros and cons of each degree option.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN THINKING
ABOUT AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM
Online classes can be time-friendly graduate program options.
Online classes often allow students to study and interact with the material when and where they choose. Whether you’re traveling for business, on vacation, or want to “attend” class from the comfort of your couch, online learning gives you the option to learn at a place and time of your choosing. The networking opportunities from the geographic diversity of students and faculty are endless, as students travel and work just like you.
On the other hand, online classes make it much more difficult to have face-to-face interactions with peers and instructors, and if you work/learn better in a physical classroom setting, an online program might not be the best option for you.
Online program allow for flexibility
WHAT ABOUT A NIGHT/ WEEKEND DEGREE PROGRAM?
If you have a day job, engaging in a weekend or night class program might be the best degree option for you, as it — arguably — will affect your day-to-day routine the least. Choosing one of these degree options can be incredibly handy for those who can’t afford to quit their day jobs in order to start graduate school.
Participating in a night or weekend degree program while juggling the stress and responsibility of a full-time job, though, can come with a myriad of stress that could potentially affect your performance within your chosen program. Choosing to participate in a graduate program while maintaining a full-time job will require time-management skills and realistic expectations of your abilities to handle both commitments.
You can work during the week and go to school
59% of MBA student received an
offer prior to graduation
offer prior to graduation
WHAT IS THE R.O.I. OF ALL THIS?
While getting a graduate degree can help you hone in on a specific career direction as well as sharpen your critical thinking skills, many people want to know that spending the time and money to pursue a master’s degree will result in an increase in salary in their given job field. The answer to this question largely depends on your area of study.
As an article in The Washington Post states: “Indeed, outcomes vary by major. Working as an engineer? Getting a graduate degree will probably lead to a big raise. For a journalist, not so much.”
In addition, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobless rate for people with master’s degrees is lower compared to people with only a bachelor’s degree. And while the payoff varies, the median annual earnings for people with a master’s degree is an average of $12k higher than for those with an undergrad degree.
Advancing your education is highly important in today’s increasingly competitive job market.
In addition, in an ever-changing landscape of technology, information, and research, it’s becoming increasingly clear that an undergraduate degree is often not enough to land that solid, lucrative job that will sustain you and your family in the long term.
Earning an advanced degree means a better chance of you reaching your full potential, and in turn, advancing your career in our evolving professional landscape.
Reach your full potential
A little more about WVU
VIEW GRADUATE PROGRAM
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To learn more about graduate school at West Virginia University, visit us online at graduate.wvu.edu.
CONNECT WITH WVU: West Virginia University Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment PO Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506-6510 304-293-5980 | graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu
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discussing ideas surrounding career and educational
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