Exploring grad school as an early career pathway

1. Exploring Grad School as an Early Career Pathway

2. Questions to ask yourself
1. Why do you want to go to Grad School?
2. Will a graduate degree improve your career?
3. When is the right time?
4. How will you fund it?

3. Why do you want to go to Graduate School?
Great Reasons
• I need it do my chosen career
• There are specific skills I need
to acquire
• Higher earning potential
• Changing careers
Not so great reasons
• I don’t know what else to do
• I can’t find a job
• Other people told me to
• I like school

4. Will it improve your career? When is the right time?
Odds are, yes. But….
• Will it improve your career more than work experience will?
• Most graduate schools recommend a few years of work experience first
• You get more out of the graduate school experience
• You have more to offer your fellow classmates

5. How will I fund it?
General rule of thumb:
Debt (undergrad + grad) should be LESS THAN your projected first year’s salary
To (conservatively) estimate your projected future salary, try:
• payscale.com,
• salary.com,
• glassdoor.com
Tip: Try an online ROI Calculator

6. Funding Options
Type Explanation
Must be
repaid?
Available for
International
Students?
Scholarship Generally awarded for strong academics, for accomplishing something, or for
fitting certain criteria. Can sometimes be need-based.
No Yes
Loan Granted based on need. Must be repaid with interest. Yes Varies
Assistantship Similar to a work-study. Generally requires that you do work related to your
major.
No Yes
Fellowship Similar to a scholarship. Often available from professional organizations to do
work related to your major.
No Yes
Grant Awarded based on need. No No

7. Are you ready to be a graduate student?
You'll need to be prepared to...
• Invest substantial time, energy, and money. Have you thoroughly investigated these costs?
• Spend the majority of the next 2-7 years studying. Will you be able to handle your living
expenses during this time?
• Concentrate on a single topic or narrow range of topics for the next 2-7 years. Will you stay
interested?
• Remain in school for several more years. Are you sure you don't need a break from school?
• Defer any career-related work experience. Or, would work experience now help you get into
graduate school later?
• Initiate and carry out independent research. Are you comfortable with that?

8. In sum, graduate school…
May be RIGHT for you if: May NOT be right for you if:
Your future job requires it It’s not required for your job
You’ll earn more money as a result It won’t open the door to more opportunities or a higher salary
You’ll be a more competitive job candidate Work experience is valued over advanced education in your field
You can handle the workload and pressure Successfully finishing undergrad was a struggle, too stressful, etc.
You’ll have a positive ROI Your ROI will be negative
You’re clear on your reasons for attending You’re simply unsure what to do next

9. Still not sure? Try Informational Interviews!
• Find several people who are in graduate programs similar
to your interests
• Don’t know anyone in grad school? Try:
• Your career center
• LinkedIn

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