 Why Consider Graduate School?
There are many reasons to pursue a graduate education. Some of the best reasons for enrolling in a graduate program are:
- Love of a particular subject of study and the desire to study it in depth.
- The need for an advanced degree to enter the profession of your choice.
While some students may consider graduate school as a way to temporarily delay career decisions, students who are apprehensive about entering the job market should carefully evaluate their decision to enter graduate school. In some instances an advanced degree will increase your marketability while in other instances additional work experience in your field will be more relevant.
Students may face pressure to attend graduate school from parents, peers, or mentors. Advice taken should reaffirm ones own professional goals. Graduate school is self-directed in nature, therefore a student who is not self-motivated and sure of their goals will face a bigger challenge in successfully completing a graduate program..
 Are you prepared to commit to a career field?
Are you interested in attending graduate school but are unable to select a specific field or degree program? You will want to spend some time defining your interests before graduation from your undergraduate program. Visit the Career Resources Library, talk with faculty members, study the graduate catalog, and consider an internship in your field of interest. If those exercises aren't helpful, you may want to consider gaining a year or two of work experience to help clarify your perspective and firmly determine your long-range goals.
Have you determined your long-range career and lifestyle goals?
Whatever your motives are for attending graduate school, it is a good idea to think about the impact this decision will have on your life. Will the degree prepare you for a specific occupation or career field? If so, what is the employment outlook for that field? Make arrangements to talk with professionals in that field about the benefits and potential drawbacks of that path. Currently enrolled graduate students can often provide useful information.
Are you comfortable with the thought of living the lifestyle of a student for a few more years? A full-time Master's program will typically take two years to complete, while Ph.D.'s and some professional degrees require three or more years. Part time enrollment will require additional time and may even be discouraged in some universities. During this time period you will focus intensely on your academic subjects and the individuals in your program. You will typically forfeit a competitive salary, workday routine and leisure time.
Is it worth the financial investment?
Ultimately you will need to decide if graduate school is of value and worth the financial sacrifice. Before making that decision, however, you should familiarize yourself with potential funding sources. Fellowships or scholarships may be awarded by individual departments or institutions as well as outside organizations. Institution-based aid most frequently takes the form of a graduate assistantship. Graduate (or Teaching, or Research) Assistants work part-time in exchange for a stipend and tuition reimbursement. Federal loans are also available to many graduate students. The types of aid available to you will vary tremendously from one institution to another. Make sure you investigate these options carefully before making any decisions.
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