don't put it off too long
and congratulations on sticking to your goal of getting your bachelors, that's quite an accomplishment
Grad School
- Thread starter Archie Moses
- Start date
don't put it off too long
and congratulations on sticking to your goal of getting your bachelors, that's quite an accomplishment
Some good comments from KrazeeEyezKilla and larryselbows.
My advice: don't go to grad school just for a dream. Go either because (1) you know you need a graduate degree to get the job you want, or (2) you are just so dang interested in some topic that you can't imagine NOT studying it further. It doesn't sound like either of the two are the case for you, so I'd advise against it. But if you have more specifics in mind (what degree program, what future job do you see yourself having), I might change my mind.
Another huge factor to consider: in some degree programs (law, business, medicine, humanities), you pay them. In others (science, engineering), they pay you! If you're thinking of one of the "you pay them" programs, then that's another strike against grad school for you, in my book.
Edit: another huge factor is the length of the program. If it's a 2 year business program, that's very different than if you're considering a 6 year PhD program.
My advice: don't go to grad school just for a dream. Go either because (1) you know you need a graduate degree to get the job you want, or (2) you are just so dang interested in some topic that you can't imagine NOT studying it further. It doesn't sound like either of the two are the case for you, so I'd advise against it. But if you have more specifics in mind (what degree program, what future job do you see yourself having), I might change my mind.
Another huge factor to consider: in some degree programs (law, business, medicine, humanities), you pay them. In others (science, engineering), they pay you! If you're thinking of one of the "you pay them" programs, then that's another strike against grad school for you, in my book.
Edit: another huge factor is the length of the program. If it's a 2 year business program, that's very different than if you're considering a 6 year PhD program.
chemdude1232
Active Member
With all due respect to larryselbows, I've seen grad school as being easier.
As undergrads, we all have to slog through classes that, for the most part, are either (A) not really related to our major of choice (i.e., history majors being forced to endure biology classes) or (B) just plain aren't interesting to us at all.
As a grad student - in terms of classes you take - you are now specializing yourself to a level where you only take classes that relate to your choice of study (and, by extension, what interests you). I'm doing physical chemistry grad work, so I only take physical chemistry classes. So in terms of academics, grad school is fun. Sure it can be difficult; even if you like the subject/class, there will undoubtedly be something that makes you scratch your head, but herein lies how well you rise to challenges. When I confront a physical chemistry problem that stumps me, it just fuels my fire to figure it out. To me, that's fun. But I also understand that not everyone will think thusly.
Aside from academics are the - for lack of a better term - "administrative" things. Grad work, at least at the Ph.D. level, requires you to suffer through 1st year written exams, 2nd year seminar presentation(s), 3rd year oral exams, and finally a 4th year dissertation defense. While those can induce stress, again I think the "problem" distills down to how you rise to the challenge. I just finished my 2nd year exams, and though I was surely frightened, I found the challenge almost fun. If you find yourself easily motivated to go out there and hit home runs, then grad school is for you.
Regarding the concept that grad school is for the smart(er) people: I don't buy that. I have been told - and am witnessing in others around me - that "triumphing" over grad school is as much a test of perseverance as it is intelligence. If you can ram through 4 years (or 2ish for a Master's) and not find it sapping your perseverance center of your brain, then you will come out just fine.
Practically, getting a grad degree will net you - on average - a higher salary down the road. Sure, you've effectively forfeited a few years of B.S/B.A.-level salary to get the grad degree, but it will be made up with your higher M.S./Ph.D. salary. So there's a payout there surely.
Don't concern yourself with being "overqualified." In today's world, grad degrees are becoming the norm. A B.S. in a science nowadays will net you a job as a lab tech. An M.S. too, but just higher up on the totem pole. A Ph.D. gives you so much more - the power to create your own research projects, manage people, and be at the forefront of research. At least it is within my world of chemistry.
Go for it.
As undergrads, we all have to slog through classes that, for the most part, are either (A) not really related to our major of choice (i.e., history majors being forced to endure biology classes) or (B) just plain aren't interesting to us at all.
As a grad student - in terms of classes you take - you are now specializing yourself to a level where you only take classes that relate to your choice of study (and, by extension, what interests you). I'm doing physical chemistry grad work, so I only take physical chemistry classes. So in terms of academics, grad school is fun. Sure it can be difficult; even if you like the subject/class, there will undoubtedly be something that makes you scratch your head, but herein lies how well you rise to challenges. When I confront a physical chemistry problem that stumps me, it just fuels my fire to figure it out. To me, that's fun. But I also understand that not everyone will think thusly.
Aside from academics are the - for lack of a better term - "administrative" things. Grad work, at least at the Ph.D. level, requires you to suffer through 1st year written exams, 2nd year seminar presentation(s), 3rd year oral exams, and finally a 4th year dissertation defense. While those can induce stress, again I think the "problem" distills down to how you rise to the challenge. I just finished my 2nd year exams, and though I was surely frightened, I found the challenge almost fun. If you find yourself easily motivated to go out there and hit home runs, then grad school is for you.
Regarding the concept that grad school is for the smart(er) people: I don't buy that. I have been told - and am witnessing in others around me - that "triumphing" over grad school is as much a test of perseverance as it is intelligence. If you can ram through 4 years (or 2ish for a Master's) and not find it sapping your perseverance center of your brain, then you will come out just fine.
Practically, getting a grad degree will net you - on average - a higher salary down the road. Sure, you've effectively forfeited a few years of B.S/B.A.-level salary to get the grad degree, but it will be made up with your higher M.S./Ph.D. salary. So there's a payout there surely.
Don't concern yourself with being "overqualified." In today's world, grad degrees are becoming the norm. A B.S. in a science nowadays will net you a job as a lab tech. An M.S. too, but just higher up on the totem pole. A Ph.D. gives you so much more - the power to create your own research projects, manage people, and be at the forefront of research. At least it is within my world of chemistry.
Go for it.
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
I think most of the good stuff has been said already. I certainly agree that if you want to go to grad school, you'd better know what field and what you plan to accomplish. As has been said, you should either attend to a) get a job you want, or b) because the material is extremely interesting to you. Sounds like a) doesn't apply because you've got jobs available, and possibly not b) either, unless you're just failing to mention an area that interests you. Grad school is all about specialization and narrowing your focus... in undergrad your advisors are helping you to discern your own goals and direction of study; in grad school they expect you to know that yourself.
dantheman
Member
Archie, nice post man. I knew some of that stuff about you, but not that your parents weren't supportive. I'm graduating in the spring and don't know if I could have done it without my parents, especially my mom pushing me to keep at it. Although a previous poster was referring to grad school, I also think the biggest lesson I have learned with my undergrad is perseverance. There were more than a few times that I almost threw in the towel.
Anyway, I wanted to comment because I've been going through a similar thing lately, graduation is coming up and I am really considering grad school, but haven't decided what I want to do. What is your undergrad in again? Is it media of some type? I did business and have thought about doing an MBA, but I'm not sure my grades will quite cut it to get in at the U so I've been thinking about doing a minor in Info Systems (all of my work experience is in the software industry) or doing the MBA at UVU with an emphasis in Accounting which will make me eligible to sit for the CPA exam. (I worried that an MBA from the same school where I got my undergrad and in the same area of study might not be the best, or even worth it, but being eligible to sit for the CPA exam and being an MBA CPA would be rad, especially if it was a little less expensive going to UVU.)
Anyway, not sure what your thoughts are on what you want to do with grad school. I'm really struggling with the same thing, and I'm not quite sure what I want to do.
If you have any interest in an MBA from UVU they are having an info session next Wed night at 7:00 in WB 125. If you're interested, go to the link below, I think preregistration is required.
https://www.uvu.edu/woodbury/
Anyway, I wanted to comment because I've been going through a similar thing lately, graduation is coming up and I am really considering grad school, but haven't decided what I want to do. What is your undergrad in again? Is it media of some type? I did business and have thought about doing an MBA, but I'm not sure my grades will quite cut it to get in at the U so I've been thinking about doing a minor in Info Systems (all of my work experience is in the software industry) or doing the MBA at UVU with an emphasis in Accounting which will make me eligible to sit for the CPA exam. (I worried that an MBA from the same school where I got my undergrad and in the same area of study might not be the best, or even worth it, but being eligible to sit for the CPA exam and being an MBA CPA would be rad, especially if it was a little less expensive going to UVU.)
Anyway, not sure what your thoughts are on what you want to do with grad school. I'm really struggling with the same thing, and I'm not quite sure what I want to do.
If you have any interest in an MBA from UVU they are having an info session next Wed night at 7:00 in WB 125. If you're interested, go to the link below, I think preregistration is required.
https://www.uvu.edu/woodbury/
Darkwing Duck
Well-Known Member
One of my college professors keeps bugging me about applying to grad schools.
Not a bad idea considering I've been unable to find work with my double major.
It would probably be at the University of Utah for linguistics. The unfortunate thing is that I really don't see where I could get work with a master's degree in linguistics.
Not a bad idea considering I've been unable to find work with my double major.
It would probably be at the University of Utah for linguistics. The unfortunate thing is that I really don't see where I could get work with a master's degree in linguistics.
I've got a Master's in Mathematics, and there have been a couple of jobs I simply would not have gotten with a Bachelor's (one with the government, another teaching), because I lacked other qualifications. However, unless the degree is really necessary for your chosen field of work, the primary reason to go is a huge love of the subject, as colton said.
archie - there's lots of good advice and suggestions here! Not knowing what field of study interests you, it's tough make specific suggestions - but one thing I'd like to add that hasn't been mentioned is going to U of U for a certificate program rather than doing a full grad school program. Most universities offer various shorter-term certificate programs in a variety of fields that have advantages over a standard grad school program (less time, less money and more career specific) - if you haven't already looked into these programs at the U of U, perhaps you should see what they offer.
If it's not going to change your career options, and it sounds like it won't if you have your job lined up, then don't do it.
School is a lot of time and energy to not get anything practical out of it at the other end.
School is a lot of time and energy to not get anything practical out of it at the other end.
Find something you love and go after it. There is little that will make you happier in all other aspects of life than daily work that you approach with high interest. We all have to work, so why not play at the same time?
I don't want to sound like I'm undersimplifying this, but from a retrospective view, your decision is easy. If you love the subject matter then tackle it. If you don't then you're wasting your time.
I made the decision not to go because I had no passion for the grad programs I could have gone into. I regret not going to grad school, but don't regret not going into those programs. I should have found my passion and chased it. I had no guidance, and the school counseling center at UVU was a joke at the time, so I know how hard it can be to find something you really like. Give it some hard thought as this is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
I don't want to sound like I'm undersimplifying this, but from a retrospective view, your decision is easy. If you love the subject matter then tackle it. If you don't then you're wasting your time.
I made the decision not to go because I had no passion for the grad programs I could have gone into. I regret not going to grad school, but don't regret not going into those programs. I should have found my passion and chased it. I had no guidance, and the school counseling center at UVU was a joke at the time, so I know how hard it can be to find something you really like. Give it some hard thought as this is one of the most important decisions you'll make.