2004 decision education graduate graduate guide in petersons program program

Even if you do not get to explore your own theories, there are other opportunities to participate in funded research. Upgrade your education. Your knowledge of your field is outdated and you find it difficult to keep up with advancements without following up and getting an advanced degree.

Enjoy travel opportunities. Some programs, such as archaeology, require studying abroad for research purposes. For those who like to travel, this is a bonus.

Find teaching opportunities. Not everyone is suited to teaching, but for those who are, getting a PhD can lead to a tenured position at a university or college, with a nice salary, a teaching or research assistant to help with workload, consulting opportunities partly shared with your department , and a nice pension upon retirement.

Work on advanced projects. For example, the computer scientists who delved early into computer graphics set the standards for much of the CGI technology used in movies today. Access to advanced equipment and tools. In a similar vein, entering a grad program could mean having access to advanced equipment on campus—such as the astronomy lab, supercomputers, rare books, and even great minds. Higher potential for future promotion.

While obtaining a graduate degree does not necessarily always lead to a high-paying job right away, it can open up opportunities for future promotions. Not being stuck behind a desk. If you have the necessary education to qualify for a high-ranking position in your chosen industry, it means that you often have the option of not sitting behind a desk all day. You might go meet colleagues or clients, travel, or even play golf in the afternoon on a nice day. Employer incentives. Some large corporations have funds set aside that will pay partial or full fees for qualified employees.

Be part of a chain of knowledge. You become part of a chain of knowledge. Because you want to. To learn, to think critically, to accept the academic challenge. To stand out. By attending grad school and completing a degree, you join an elite segment of the population.

Free tuition. In some cases, grad schools might not only waive your tuition, but also give you a stipend for living expenses in return for taking on the work of a teaching assistant or research assistant. Realization of interest.

Not everyone realizes during undergraduate studies that they are suited for grad studies. Some of your professors might recommend it to you and offer to supervise—with tuition waived and a research assistant position to cover expenses. Now for the flipside. Completing a grad degree has many rewards, as indicated above. However, there are also many reasons not to go. Highly competitive. Graduate programs always have fewer spots than undergraduate programs. One of the reasons for this is said to be a fear of going out into the workforce.

Requires ability to set priorities. Successfully completing a grad degree requires a great deal of discipline and priority setting. This can be a strain on family and personal relationships, not to mention yourself. Relationship strains. Emotionally exhausting. Completing a graduate degree, especially a PhD, requires emotional maturity. Writing a thesis. Some grad programs require writing a thesis on a topic that your degree supervisor picks out for you.

Writing an original thesis is not easy compared to course work, and it is often the reason grad students take a lot longer than program duration. Requires support. You might need a strong support network to get through emotionally. Might take 2—7 years of your life.

Not everyone finds they can complete a grad degree in the typical 1 or 2 years. Personal obligations often intrude or lack of finances makes it difficult. Extra cost of education. Graduate schools can be very expensive. If you are not going to work during your studies or will not receive an assistant job and waived tuition fees, the cost of your education is going to mount. Graduating with a large debt. This state of financial affairs might push you into accepting any job after graduation out of necessity.

No guarantee of higher salary. Return on investment might be slow. Even with a higher salary, how quickly will that offset tuition loans and the negative cash flow due to not earning while studying? Limited job opportunities. If the degree you get is in an academic field, finding work outside of teaching or research may be difficult, and thus, not necessarily worth it to you.

Undesirable job locales. Too qualified. During an economic downturn, should you find yourself looking for employment, having an advanced degree can be a liability.

If you are determined to go to grad school, consider spending a few years getting relevant work experience first. You could take the time to save the money for tuition and expenses, which would allow you to devote dedicated time to a degree. All this allows you some peace of mind, which might be what you need to succeed in grad school. Are you aware of the options you have in terms of graduate programs?

Grad programs that are designed to put you into the workforce tend to lean toward options 1 or 2. Doctoral programs nearly always come under option 3. Graduate programs can be incredibly demanding, but if you find the right one and attend for the right reasons, as described above, they will be rewarding. Here are some tips for balancing your grad life. Hoard your contacts.

Ask your favorites for recommendations. Such contacts might later provide some moral support during difficult academic times. Determine your workload. Can you handle this along with all the other demands on your life? Have reliable transportation. Alternately, is city transit reliable enough and are monthly passes affordable? Live on or near campus. If you cannot or do not want a vehicle, consider living as close to campus as possible.

Not sure where to start? Begin the search process with these great lists! Peterson's comprehensive online college search guide helps students discover their best fit educational program. Two-year or four-year. Undergraduate or Graduate. Certificate program or online degree.

Use our search filters to narrow down your options based on location, offered majors, tuition, and more! Once you find schools that match your interests, save them to your personal dashboard and directly connect with those schools to request more information or apply.

Enter a keyword Please enter a keyword. Not sure which school is right for you? Take me there!