Three Common Assumptions About Graduate and Professional School
Graduate school is just more of the same work I did in college.
It is important to know that your experience as a graduate student will differ from your undergraduate experience. The workload is far more intensive, and graduate students tend to work year round. Moreover, graduate studies place a strong emphasis on research and independent work. As in college, graduate students read extensively, analyze information and concepts, and regularly contribute their own ideas to classroom discussion. However, graduate and professional schools maintain higher expectations for their students. Graduate students often teach undergraduate classes, conduct extensive research, deliver presentations at conferences, and publish research in scholarly journals.
Graduate school will help me decide what I want to do with my future.
Graduate and professional schools are not the place to begin the self-exploration process. Graduate school is a full time job, and much of your studies will be devoted to a specific discipline. You will have little or no opportunity to explore career options or to sample a wide variety of subjects. (US News & World Report) It is a mistake to enter a program without a clear understanding of future goals and interests, and doing so can result in an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction. If you are unsure about what your objectives are, consider taking an internship or job in a field of interest before making the decision to go to graduate school. Depending on the type of graduate or professional program, related work experience can actually strengthen your candidacy.
Graduate school will improve my chances of getting a job.
Certainly, there are many professions in which a graduate degree is essential.
Likewise, there are instances in which training beyond the bachelor’s level is favorable. However, higher education is not always a necessary means to securing a particular job. Remember that education is not the sole factor in the hiring process. Work experience, communication skills, and interpersonal skills are also very important. Also, keep in mind that many employers actively recruit college graduates and that many companies have quality entry level training programs. Be sure to thoroughly research your career choice to determine whether or not higher education is necessary.
