By Kaiya Lawson
There are many factors for students to consider before entering graduate school, which is why it’s essential to evaluate them and ensure the right fit.
First, it’s important to avoid common misconceptions about graduate school. Some people believe graduate school is similar to undergraduate, which means getting a bigger paycheck and the only way to get ahead. These are not all necessarily true. Students should do research to see if graduate school is what they think it is and if it will work for them.
Utah Tech University technical writing and digital rhetoric master’s program coordinator, Joy McMurrin, said: “Some people believe that graduate students are adults and should therefore be independent learners. Yes, they should be motivated and resourceful, but graduate students can expect to lean on peers and professors for their personal growth. Learning is social no matter the age or experience of the student.”
One of the most crucial aspects when deciding to go to graduate school is to study and research how a master’s or doctorate degree will enhance a career path.
Some relevant questions students should ask are: Will this better prepare me for my eventual career? Is a graduate degree required to gain certification or licensure in my field?
Graduate school is much more demanding than undergraduate school, so it is necessary to look at how much it will benefit a student in their career. Some fields where a graduate degree is desirable but not required include education, business, data science and analytics, computing, engineering and design.
Another thing to consider about graduate school is ensuring students have the financial resources to complete a program since graduate school can often be more expensive. This is why it is recommended by faculty and staff that students visit Utah Tech’s Career Services and Financial Aid offices to determine if they are best prepared academically and financially for graduate study.
Some other factors that are significant to consider when choosing a master’s program are:
- Compatible work and school schedule
- Health
- How time-consuming or demanding personal relationships are
- Whether those people will support you while you focus on school
- Interest in the program content
Maybe a master’s program is not a good fit for the time of life a person is in. That is perfectly OK; students can join a program at any time, so they need to find the time that fits best for them.
Preparing for graduate school might sound stressful, but with the right help, students can feel at ease about it.
Associate provost for academic programs and operations, Chris Guymon, said: “My best advice is to let your faculty know you are interested in graduate study and receive their advice. They have done it, and they are very well prepared to advise you.”
As far as work experience, extracurricular activities, research and internships go, it all depends on the field a student is interested in. Graduate school can be competitive, so it is not a bad idea to dabble in some of these curricular and extracurricular activities to set students apart from other classmates, and it might even help receive scholarships.
When applying for graduate school, it is pivotal to remember to take time and not rush applications. Gain input from many sources, especially faculty, and be passionate about continuing education. This is an influential decision students make, and it deserves their best effort.
Paulina Sansores, a senior management major from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, said: “The reason I decided to do graduate school was because I wanted to further my education and get into the specifics of what I wanted to do. Also, it was recommended to me by multiple people that I go into graduate school to help me understand what I’m doing better.”
