Planning for Graduate School
When deciding whether graduate school is the right path, consider the following questions:
- Is graduate or professional school required for your intended career path?
- Use resources like O*NET or Career Coach to see the percentage of people with advanced degrees in that occupation. Some pathways, like Medicine, will require you to seek an advanced degree. In some fields, like Library, you will eventually be required to gain a graduate degree to advance, but can start out with a Bachelor’s, depending on the local job market.
- Do you have enough professional experience in the field to be sure of your pathway and commit to graduate school?
- This may mean taking time to work after your undergraduate degree. Time in the workforce means you will clarify your goals, and bring a new perspective into the classroom.
- What is the return on investment of your potential graduate degree?
- Consider the cost of attendance of your graduate degree, the debt load your may be taking on, and the median salaries in the roles you may be considering after you graduate. Ask the programs you are considering what some of the common career outcomes are for their graduates, so you know what titles are realistic.
- Research funding opportunities for your field, and for the schools you are considering. Attending a graduate program with a paid graduate assistantship and tuition waiver instead of loans can change your return on investment calculation significantly.
- What are your goals from a graduate degree?
- Whether it is increased earnings potential, additional credentials, entry into a specific field, moving abroad, professional networking, or other considerations — your goals and values will shape your graduate school list.
- Are there alternate routes towards your desired outcomes?
- Consider possibilities like professional certifications, professional association conferences and involvement, local young professionals groups, or online groups and resources. Graduate school is just one of many ways to upskill, build a network, and add valuable credentials to a resume.
Graduate School Planning Handout
What Types of Terminal Degrees Exist?
What to Consider in Choosing a School