Deciding if Graduate School is For You

After completing an undergraduate degree, a lot of students are overwhelmed by the decision of whether or not to go to graduate school. If you are considering graduate school, here are some tips for you from the perspective of Laura Cleave, a career coach for science students.

What is graduate school?

Graduate school is an advanced level of education beyond undergraduate school and is a great option to consider to gain a deep understanding of a specific area of your interest. There are different types of grad programs: master’s (e.g. MS, MA), doctoral (PhD, EdD), and professional (MD, JD). These programs give you the opportunity to learn at an advanced level. The in-depth learning can open up greater opportunities for your future career.

Should I Go to Grad School?

To answer this question, think about WHY you want to pursue graduate school. With intense, specialized and focused study, graduate school could be great for you to explore an area where you have a deep passion and interest. That being said, graduate school will be one of the toughest things to do in your life, so you’ll need to have incredibly strong intrinsic motivation. If you do have this strong motivation, the difficulty of grad school will serve to make your experience very rewarding.

The danger is that if you go into grad school for the wrong reasons, you could set yourself up for failure. Be honest with yourself. We recommend you reconsider if any of these common external motivators are your primary reason for wanting to apply to grad school:

You want to avoid entering the job market and postpone the process
You are trying to please someone else

The important point here is that grad programs are a lot of work and if you want to take on the challenge, you need the right motivation.

Remember, you do not have to earn a graduate level degree. If it is required for your chosen profession, you can consider alternate roles in the same industry or a related industry. Or you can always explore new career fields. To get help finding career fields and roles that interest you, schedule an appointment with your career coach. We can help you find a job that fits you!

Reach Out Before Applying to Graduate School

It’s a fantastic idea to reach out to people around you. If you are a current undergraduate student, talk about your concerns with a professor. The easiest time to do that is when you are taking their class. If you do an internship or other experiential learning opportunity in your field, you can reach out to your supervisor as well. You may ask their:

Career path
Research topics
Graduate school they attended
Experience in graduate school
Thoughts on what can help you network

What about current graduate students?

If you know current graduate students, it is a great idea to reach out to them. They can share their experiences and advice regarding graduate school, including:

Reason for attending graduate school
Day-to-day responsibilities
What they wish they had known prior
Current feelings about the process

Remember, you are asking for a lot of advice and opinions, but this is ultimately your decision. Take into consideration what you are told by mentors, professors, graduate students, family, and friends. Use that information to make an informed decision that is right for you.

Research Graduate Degrees

It is essential to research what goes into earning a graduate degree.

Application process. Make sure you read and understand the application process. You will need to recognize what documents and requirements you need to apply.

Length of the program. Think about the time commitment. You may plan your future based on the length of the program including costs of the program, future career, etc.

Types of courses. Learn about what coursework you’ll need to complete and make sure you are on board with the curriculum.

Consider the Timing

Depending on the student, a gap year(s) prior to starting grad school can be beneficial. Taking a gap year provides you the opportunity to gain additional experience while you are taking some time off from school. However, some students feel like they will lose momentum if they step away and instead go straight into their graduate program. There is no right way to do this. You need to consider the pros and cons of taking a gap year and make the right decision for yourself. If you need someone to talk to about this decision, consider making an appointment with your career coach.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to pursue graduate school is a significant and personal decision that requires careful consideration of your motivations, career goals, and life circumstances. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you decide to take a gap year, dive straight into a graduate program, or explore alternative career paths, the most important thing is to make a decision that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. If you need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your career coach for support. Take your time, gather information, and make an informed choice that is right for you.

Resources:

The GradCafe Forums https://forum.thegradcafe.com/

U Career Success https://careers.utah.edu/