Fast Forward Five Years

Where would you like to be?

Could a Graduate Degree
Help You Get There?

Working Smarter to be Job Marketable series

NWI College/University Partnership
June 29, 2012

Our Roadmap

A snapshot
20 reasons to go to graduate school
Assessment Activity/Discussion
15 reasons to NOT go to graduate school
The REAL value
Assessment Activity/Discussion
Tips for fitting graduate school into an already-full life
Choosing a graduate program compare, consider,
apply, and commit (provide worksheet)
Expectations
Needs
Goals
Practical matters
Gearing up for graduate school

A Snapshot.
Where am I now?
Where do I want to be in 5 years?
Can a graduate degree help me get there?

Breaking it Down
Where was
I?

Working in a community education setting

with an elementary education degree, flying
by the seat of my pants

Where did I
want to be
in 5 years?

At the top of my game in this new field,

someone who is a trend setter and change
maker.
I also want to teach in a University setting.

Could a
graduate
degree help
me get
there?

Yes. I needed to learn how to effectively build,

market, run, and evaluate community
programs, write grants, collaborate with other
public agencies. I learned these skills in my
Masters program (and some while in the
trenches).
Pursuing my PhD opened the door at Trine.

What were
some
positive
outcomes of
graduate

Community recognition, invitation to serve as

a mentor to other groups, opportunities to
consult with organizations, teaching nonprofit
courses, building and leading a Masters
degree program.

20 reasons to go to grad
1. Greater earning power.
school
2. Advance your career.
3. Career change.
4. Enhance your education.
5. Get community recognition.
6. Get international recognition.
7. Get research opportunities.
8. Upgrade your education.
9. Enjoy travel opportunities.
10. Find teaching opportunities.

20 reasons to go to grad
school

What do YOU think?

Assessment 1 20 Reasons to Pursue Graduate School
Complete page 1 add notes that support your rating
Complete page 2 add notes that support your rating
Compute your total
THEN consider why you might not want to pursue a
graduate degree

15 reasons you might not

want to consider graduate
1. Highly competitive
school
right
now:
2. Enables the professional student mindset
experience is critical!
3. Requires ability to set priorities
4. Relationship strains
5. Stressful
6. Writing a thesis
7. Requires support
8. Can take 1-5 years (MS/MA) 2-7 years (PhD, etc.)

15 Reasons you might not

want to consider graduate
9. Extra cost of education
school right now:
10. Graduating with a large debt

11. No guarantee of a higher salary

12. Return on investment might be slow
13. Limited job opportunities
14. Undesirable job locales
15. Too qualified

The Cost/Benefit Analysis

For a person working full time while going to school
Consideration

Computation

Salary before entering

graduate school

$43,0001

Duration of masters
program

2 years (average)

Cost of tuition
Other costs (if you
choose to go to school
full time

$30,000 (average)
- Current salary

Salary after graduation $53,0001

(average 23% increase) $10,000 per year
increase
How many years will it
take to make up cost of

3 years @ $10,000
= $30,000

1. http://www.salary.com/learning/layouthtmls/leal_display_nocat_Ser285_Par409.html

Sources of funds for grad

Student loans
school
Listed in
Savings
order of
prevalence

Graduate assistant positions

Research grants/positions

Employer education programs tuition reimbursement

Scholarships and grants

Family loan

Employer salary advance

Insurance scholarships

Personal line of credit

Credit cards

NOW what do you think?

Assessment 2 Reasons why you might not want to
pursue a graduate degree right now
Complete page 1 add notes that support your ratings and
compute your total.
Complete page 2 consider things you could change
compute your total of those
Subtract your How can Is from your Why nots
Subtract Assessment 2 from Assessment 1
Share your findings with two people you trust (stakeholders)
and ask them for their opinions
Make your decision and start shopping for grad schools

Choosing the Right

Program
What major will help me achieve my career goals?
Choose an area that intrigued you as an undergrad
Ask your employer what degree might help you
advance.
Look on Monster.com & careerbuilder.com for job
requirements of jobs you think would be great to
have.
Read about different programs and what they can
prepare you to do.
Ask your mentors or people you admire what
degrees they have, and whether theyve helped
them.
Use the Comparison Worksheet!

Choosing the Right

Program
What type of program fits my goals?
Program with only coursework
Program with coursework and a capstone project
Program with a thesis and presentation
Full time or part time? Residential or commuting
On campus or online?
Opportunities for research?
Use the Comparison Worksheet!

Tips for Making it Through

Grad School
1. Hoard your contacts
2. Determine your workload
3. Have reliable transportation
4. Live near campus or study online
5. Determine a long-term budget
6. Work first, play later
7. Garner emotional support
8. Define time boundaries
9. Exercise
10. Meditate or pray

A great resource for

parents:
How to go to graduate
school with five children
(and a husband)
http://digital.cs.usu.edu
/~allanv/Vicki/how.html

References & Resources

Guide to Choosing a Graduate School

http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/guide-students-gradua
te-school.aspx

Why you should go to graduate school

http://gradschool.about.com/cs/shouldyougo/a/should.htm
So you want to go to grad school
http://chronicle.com/article/So-You-Want-to-Go-to-Grad/45239
Why go to graduate school
http://www.embark.com/articles/Pages/WhyGotoGraduateSchool.aspx
Bachelor's vs. master's: How does your salary stack up?
http://www.cbsalary.com/salary-information/article.aspx?id=2B316A3FD945-4AE1-9EF7-3A1A5E6DEE8E
How to go to graduate school with five children (and a husband)
http://digital.cs.usu.edu/~allanv/Vicki/how.html