2008 Woodie Awards
Graduate school a challenge, not necessarily an easy out
Alex McMarron
Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: News
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After 16 years of teachers, classrooms, books, homework and a student debt in excess of $50,000, you now want to go to graduate school? This may be an option you are considering. However, if you are only doing it because you do not want to be bothered with finding a job or you are just not ready to let go of your college ways, then think again.
Director of Placement Richard Fein at the University of Massachusetts said, "Graduate study should not be your default option." You will be expected to have clearly defined goals. It is not like undergraduate study where you can "find yourself" along the way.
Graduate school involves writing, research, having intellectual discussions and arguing about ideas. Helen Kibby, a graduate student at Ball State University, said, "It is much harder than undergraduate study. Everything is designed to challenge you, and you are encouraged to question everything." She said one entire lecture was spent discussing the meaning of "creativity."
Graduate school is necessary for those wanting to study law, medicine, architecture or education at an advanced level. But for other majors, the decision is not so clear-cut. Graduate school is long and hard; financial support can be sparse and ultimate career payoff uncertain. So before making your decision, you need to make sure that having a master's degree will help you reach your future career goals.
"If you have any doubt at all about your professional career, it is better to spend some time working on self-assessment and career planning. Otherwise you could end up wasting both time and money," said Dr. Randal S. Hanson at Quintessential Careers. A three-year master's degree at Colombia can set you back nearly $100,000.
But if you know exactly what you want to do, there is no need to wait. In fact, going to graduate school immediately after undergraduate school can be very advantageous because you are used to being a student and your study skills are still sharp.
Director of Placement Richard Fein at the University of Massachusetts said, "Graduate study should not be your default option." You will be expected to have clearly defined goals. It is not like undergraduate study where you can "find yourself" along the way.
Graduate school involves writing, research, having intellectual discussions and arguing about ideas. Helen Kibby, a graduate student at Ball State University, said, "It is much harder than undergraduate study. Everything is designed to challenge you, and you are encouraged to question everything." She said one entire lecture was spent discussing the meaning of "creativity."
Graduate school is necessary for those wanting to study law, medicine, architecture or education at an advanced level. But for other majors, the decision is not so clear-cut. Graduate school is long and hard; financial support can be sparse and ultimate career payoff uncertain. So before making your decision, you need to make sure that having a master's degree will help you reach your future career goals.
"If you have any doubt at all about your professional career, it is better to spend some time working on self-assessment and career planning. Otherwise you could end up wasting both time and money," said Dr. Randal S. Hanson at Quintessential Careers. A three-year master's degree at Colombia can set you back nearly $100,000.
But if you know exactly what you want to do, there is no need to wait. In fact, going to graduate school immediately after undergraduate school can be very advantageous because you are used to being a student and your study skills are still sharp.