Grad School or the Real World?

You know one thing that is hard to debate about this dilemma is that everyone's financial, socioeconomic, and maturity are all important factors when making this decision. I know a handful of close friends who claimed that they will never go back to school after they finished their undergrad. However, in the last two years all of them have either not found a job or found a job where that they hate because they cannot move up. However, I understand that not everyone can afford to go to grad school whether it be money, demands of the job, or have the responsibilities of taking care of a family. That's why I think the best way to go about this is asking what you really want. I would've loved to go to a traditional grad school like Stanford, UCLA, Oregon, USC. etc. However, I live in the south and I have a job that doesn't really allow much free time outside of work so I'm doing my Masters of Business Administration at a school that offers an online format (http://www.floridatechonline.com/graduate-masters-degree-healthcare-management.asp). I may have had to make the sacrifice, but this way I'm able to keep my job, pay my bills, and have the convenience of going straight home to work on my classes as oppose to having to travel to a campus during rush hour after work. That is my situation though. My advice to anyone in a similar situation is that if you can afford to do it go there as quickly as possible.

There are proponents of both schools of thought. Some say it’s best to go to graduate school right after college as you’ve the momentum to study. Some also argue that once you’ve experienced the professional world, it can get difficult to adjust back to a classroom schedule. There are others, however, who recommend getting some real world experience under your belt before you go back to grad school. According to them, graduates will be able to maximize their learning experience if they bring some professional training to the table. Besides, real world experience will provide the kind of discipline and commitment that graduate degrees require. You’ll also get some time to think if you want to build on your existing skills or learn some new ones and choose a program accordingly.

in hindsight, I wish I had gone right out of college... i was 48 and a single mother of 4 when i decided to return for my graduate degree. teenagers and life in general make it very difficult to keep up with the newly graduated. the upside is that now i have the confidence in what i really want to do to go after the degree that i wish i would have did my undergrad program in. the vote is still up in the air i guess! haha i always felt the call to ministry even as a young girl, but didn't have the mentorship or coaching to help me make the right decisions then. i unfortunately made the decision to go with the logical choice that would provide a living for myself... well that has not proven to be the best choice after all. i've learned thru life experiences that when you are called to do something for the Lord Jesus, you will not be happy or fulfilled in life until you DO IT. i love my kids and i wouldn't trade them, but it really gets old working to make a living when you do not have a "life" that you enjoy in the process. i trust now that i am pursuing that lifelong calling that God will work it all together for my good and His glory... i just can't help but regret a lot of wasted years that i could have been making a difference in other people's lives. i am glad that with God it's never too late to start, and He knows how to make up for the "lost time". I would advise young people to seek out people who DO what they think they'd like to do, and hang out with them and get some practical advice before jumping into something because their friends or parents are pushing them to make some decisions. take advantage of the experience and wisdom of those who have gone before you. why make your life harder than it has to be? :) God bless you as you make your choices.

I agree with Jennifer, the cost is astounding, plus it's a lot easier to get scholarships as an undergraduate so money is a huge factor in deciding to go to grad school...I also agree with Darksunshine...it is up to the individual, some people know exactly what they want to do and should go straight for it while others just need to get a little experience and then get back on the band wagon knowing exactly what they want to attain :)

It's simply great.

Employers who pay for masters and doctorate degrees were not mentioned in this article. Cost was not mentioned as a factor at all. The ability to pay for school is a huge deciding factor.