Should you be in Graduate School???
One of the biggest mistakes students make when deciding to pursue their graduate degree is choosing a major for a lucrative career path solely for monetary growth. Or, choose a major with a career path that requires excessive time away from family (especially for those who are very family-oriented). Some even enroll back into college to receive a “quick” refund check for personal use. It is seemingly understood that we all desire to be in a position that reaps the grand benefits from a salary standpoint. However, it is important for students to pursue a graduate degree with the right intentions.
For the students who are very family-oriented, it is important to choose a degree program that will lead to a career which requires less time away from family. Often times students return for a second master’s degree. Did you read that? Students return to complete a SECOND master’s degree! DEBT, DEBT, AND MORE DEBT if you are planning to take out student loans! If you are planning to return for a second master’s degree, seek out scholarships and fellowships or find a quality graduate program with the most affordable tuition.
Enrolling into school for a quick refund check is definitely NOT the answer. It has become a national phenomenon where students are using higher education lenders for educational and personal loans. Think about it, you’ve fallen on hard times, and now you are enrolling into a graduate school because you aren’t sure what your next step is in life and need to find a safe haven. If you have to take out student loans, you will continue to further place yourself in a financial deficit for the future. Where is the logic behind that? It is vital that students carefully pursue a degree when first entering graduate school to prevent a “homecoming” with the wrong intentions.
This leads to a major question. What are “mistake” majors? When I address the issue, I personally believe there are none. When individuals plan to pursue a particular career with a strategic plan, they will make the right decision. It is my hope that students choose a major that will lead to opportunities that are rich and fulfilling and NOT SOLELY FOR MONETARY GAIN. I desire to see more individuals working in positions because they genuinely desire to do so and not because of that large weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly direct deposit.
I often present students with the quote from Confucius, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I like to alter this quote and say, “Choose a degree program that will lead to a career you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
