To Attend Graduate School or To Not?
If you’re like me, this may be your last year of undergraduate study at college. Only a few more months until the freedom that being an adult brings. No longer are the nights of homework and studying for exams. However, what if this is not the end of your educational journey? In this blog, we will explore whether or not graduate school is the right choice for you.
As Vice President of GrandPR and a Lead at the Fred Meijer Center for Writing at Grand Valley State University, I am passionate about my field. It was June of this year that I decided I wanted to attend graduate school to further my education. Why? There are many reasons I felt this was the right choice for me. However, here are some common factors that can play a role:
Higher Starting Salary
According to the University of Nebraska - Omaha, employers will pay 15% more on average to those who hold master’s degrees compared to those who hold bachelor’s degrees.
More Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2008 and 2018, the rate of job opportunities for those with master’s degrees grew 18%, and is still continuing to grow.
Attending A Different School Can Be An Adventure
Ever wanted a reason to get out of your comfort zone? Graduate school will definitely help you do this, as you’ll most likely have to move for your program. Whether it’s to a different nearby state or different region entirely, memories will surely be made wherever you land.
Now, these are all amazing reasons why you should attend graduate school. However, there are also some pretty great reasons not to. There is even an entire blog dedicated to 100 reasons why you shouldn’t get a graduate degree. Some of these reasons include:
It’s Incredibly Expensive
Most graduate programs begin at $20k to at least $58k a year, especially if you are looking to go out of state. This is expensive, especially for someone without an established career and salary. While most graduate programs offer fellowships and teaching opportunities, these are very competitive. Often students end up taking out loans to pay for their education.
Debt Can Steal Your Salary
While you may get a slight salary increase from obtaining a master’s degree, the loans from graduate school will eat up any money you make. If you are considering graduate school, looking at tuition is crucial to planning for how you will pay off any debt you accumulate.
You Probably Don’t Actually Need It To Become Successful In Your Field
Unlike doctors or lawyers, public relations professionals are not required to go to graduate school to become successful practitioners. We learn the majority of our foundational skills from undergraduate studies and work experience. Unless academia is your end goal, a master’s degree may not be for you.
Don’t want to go to graduate school? Don’t sweat it. If you are brave enough to pursue this journey, remember to believe in yourself.
References
Copeland, D. (2018). Should Saving for Education or Retirement Come First?. Work and Money. Retrieved from https://www.workandmoney.com/s/education-retirement-financial-planning-9f4bbbac47d644c6
Muniz, H. (2019). Should I Get a Master's Degree? 6 Factors to Consider. PrepScholar. Retrieved from https://blog.prepscholar.com/should-i-get-a-masters-degree
Safier, R. (2020). Should I Go to Grad School? 7 Reasons to Skip It and Work Instead. Student Loan Hero by LendingTree. Retrieved from https://studentloanhero.com/featured/should-i-go-to-grad-school-masters-degree/
University of Nebraska, Omaha (n.d.). Value of a Graduate Degree. University of Nebraska, Omaha. Retrieved from https://www.unomaha.edu/graduate-studies/prospective-students/value-of-a-graduate-degree.php#:~:text=
About Kayla:
Kayla Brown is a senior at Grand Valley State University studying advertising and public relations. She currently serves as the Vice President of Operations for GrandPR, is a Lead Consultant and Social Media Manager at Grand Valley’s Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors, and works for GVSU Development as a communications writer. She hopes to attend graduate school to further her studies in her field after she graduates!
