Graduate School

Graduate school can open up additional career opportunities, expand your knowledge, and position you for career success. Some careers, such as a doctor or lawyer, require a graduate degree, but the majority of jobs do not. In order to discover or confirm your interests and to better understand how a higher degree may benefit your career, you should try to get some work experience in the field or talk to people who hold the degree or job you are hoping to get.

Pros and cons

While a higher income or job security may result from a graduate degree, these are not always guaranteed. By attending graduate school, you may forgo raises or promotions you would have earned on the job. There are also high economic costs and lifestyle choices associated with pursuing a graduate degree. Perhaps the best reason to seek a higher degree is to pursue a passion or strong interest in a subject.

Part-time vs. full-time programs

What type of work you want to pursue and what level of salary you expect to earn after you graduate should play a part in your decision to attend graduate school on a part-time or full-time basis. While salary increases are never guaranteed, pursuing a higher-paying line of work may make you more comfortable investing in a full-time graduate program. If you aren’t confident you’ll earn a high salary or you are not comfortable giving up your income, pursuing part-time graduate study may be a good option for you. Many well-respected universities offer evening and weekend programs to accommodate a variety of schedules. You may still be eligible for financial aid even if you do not attend graduate school full-time, and you may also be able to take advantage of an employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement plan if you earn a graduate degree while working.