Deciding Whether Graduate/Professional School is Right for Your Career Goals
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when contemplating the decision to go to graduate school. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you determine whether graduate school is right for you.
-
Why are you considering a graduate degree in this field?
-
To meet your career goals? Make sure you have clear and defined career goals BEFORE pursuing a graduate degree and are aware of how a graduate degree will help you reach your goals. As a part of your application process to graduate school, you will be expected to demonstrate that you possess clear career goals and be able to articulate them well.
If you are unclear about your professional goals, consider working for a year or more in your field to help you clarify your goals. Also, talk to people in your field and ask their opinion about the necessity and the pros/cons of having an advanced degree.
-
To increase your income level? If money is your primary motivation to attend graduate school, you probably won't be a very successful graduate student and will also probably be an unhappy one. Being a graduate student doesn't pay very much and you are often not compensated for all the extra work you do.
However, on average, individuals with a Master's degree make approximately $10,000-$15,000 more per year than individuals with a Bachelor's degree, while individuals with a PhD make approximately $15,000-$20,000 more.
-
To make yourself more marketable? Again, do some research about the necessity for an advanced degree to obtain your career goals. However, since more and more individuals are pursuing undergraduate degrees, an advanced degree may set you apart from other candidates.
-
To make a career change? For some career changers, it might make the most sense to pursue a graduate degree to meet their career goals, but for others it might be better to pursue a second bachelor's degree, associates/technical degree, or to take a few classes. See your career counselor to help you decide what would be best for you.
-
-
Are you ready for graduate school?
- Are your motivations to attend graduate school clear and sound? See below for good and bad reasons for attending graduate school.
- Do you have the drive/motivation to attend school for 2-4 more years?
- Can you afford to attend graduate school?
- Should you pursue a Master's degree or a PhD?
- Can you fulfill your career goals with just a Master's degree or will it require a PhD? See below for a summary of the differences between a masters and Ph.D. program.
- Talk to professors and professionals in the field to get their perspectives on this issue.
| Masters | Ph.D |
| Takes 1-3 years to complete | Takes 4-6 or more years to complete |
| Usually requires you to pay your own tuition and fees | Often includes financial support (tuition and/or a stipend) |
| More coursework focused vs. research focused | Usually entails 2 years of coursework, then 2 or more years devoted to full-time research. |
| May require completion of a research thesis and/or comprehensive exams | Requires you to conduct research for and write a dissertation. |