Graduate School?

bethsmiles · May 2010

So I have awhile to think about this but I'm a planner so I'm thinking about it. BF for sure is doing grad school, he is a Bio major and it just makes sense. I am a Communincations major with a public relations minor. We know we won't be getting married until after he finishes his degree. So I can either go to grad school as well or I can work for those two years while he finishes school. My mom would really like for me to go to grad school and my dad doesn't care either way. I'm on the fence about it. I don't mind school but it would be nice to be done. So I was just wondering what your opinions were.

If I were a science major I would for sure do it but I'm not sure how more schooling will help my career with the major I've chosen.

KD+BC · May 2010

Here's my question, what doors would be opened by going to grad school? If your getting your masters would help you in your industry, I say go for it because once you get a job it will be hard to go back. I had to get my masters and did it right after undergrad and I can't imagine trying to do it now. I don't even want to take one class!

If it really won't do much for you, then don't bother and just start making money! My sister has thought about getting her masters but it would only help her get a job at the collegiate level as opposed to the municipal level where she works now (my sister is an adult recreation director, she runs adult rec leagues) and she doesn't really want to work at the college level.

bethsmiles · May 2010

Yeah, I don't know what doors it would open for me. I've talked to my professors and they say that my minor will already put me ahead of a lot of people I will be competing with for a job. Grad school would only be something to cushion my resume I guess but its not required for anything I would want to go into.

Narwhal · May 2010

I was a communications major and I decided to not go to grad school (BF is in Broadcast Media, he's going to get out ASAP - hopefully next year- and then get on with his life). It just wasn't worth it for me, unless you're wanting to teach. I say, since you can get a job with your BA, then go ahead and do that. You have your whole life to get a masters if the job hunt changes.

bethsmiles · May 2010

Thanks Narwhal its good to hear from someone who was the same major. The more I think about it the less it seems worth it because I don't want to teach. I kind of wish BF wasn't doing it but I know it will be better for him in the long run. Till he finishes I can work and start to save up for the wedding we will eventually have.

Narwhal · May 2010

The good thing about communications is that it's not required to go to graduate school, I think. Especially since you have a specialized minor. The only thing is that you need to be good at what you do. If you're not good at it, at least in my school, you can get through it and get your degree but you probably won't get a good job (saw this A LOT. one of the reasons I switched, there were too many people who did it just because they didn't know what else to do/didn't want to work.) so maybe grad school would be good in that situation, but other than that I don't see an immediate need for it.

Plus, while he's in school you can be working and saving for stuff so that you don't have to be a completely impoverished university couple.

I know how that is!

katanne9 · May 2010

I was also a Comm major, and while I was not a PR focus, some of my good friends were. They have landed excellent jobs without any graduate work.

Communications is one of those fields where your resume experience and networking will get you a lot farther than another degree.

I would not go, at least for now. If in another year or two you really can't land a job, then I would think about going back part-time. But I would never go back now and add the debt, because I don't think you'll make it back with a starting PR salary - even with a graduate degree.

bethsmiles · May 2010

Thanks for all your responses. They were really helpful and it really doesn't seem like there is a point in going so I will for sure put any thoughts of grad school on the back-burner for now.

PaigeMcC · May 2010

I'm late to the party butttttt I had this debate with myself last year. I've taken the route to work for a few years, see where I'm at and decide from there. I know I want my Masters in Public Relations, it's something I'm building for, but I also know I want real world experience and I don't want to be stuck in school forever! lol

Get out there and see what opportunities are around! You may even discover, after your in the work world, that you don't want to pursue grad school. GL:)

PhilliesPhan23 · May 2010

I was a comm major and did go to grad school for my MA, but that is because I want to teach and get my PhD or EdD. Unless you want to teach, it is not necessary. I would focus on networking and gaining experience.

If after a year or two you want to go back to school, or if you think you can work AND attend a grad program part-time (I worked fulltime in marketing and did a grad program part time at night) It would be beneficial to get an advanced degree in writing if you are interested in PR - or get your MBA.

It is never a bad thing to get a Master's - it always helps, but you need the experience to coincide. So 10 years from now, you will jump off of your resume and be ahead of other candidates if you have the experience and the advanced degree. Remember though that it is expensive - so maybe work for a year or two and save for it. I was in an inpatient hurry to get it done and just took at more loans...

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