“What is the right path for me to take after college?”
That is the question many college seniors ask themselves. Some may choose to dive straight into the workforce, others prefer to take a break before applying to jobs, and others choose to pursue graduate school.
Graduate school is an option that always lingers in the back of students’ minds as they juggle the many factors that can influence this decision.
Kelly Grant, a ’20 alum, studied radio and television as an undergrad and holds a master’s degree in corporate and public communication from Monmouth University.
“I finished up graduate school in May of 2020, and I decided to attend because I was able to financially support my degree by working as a graduate assistant,” she said. “Plus, I was able to really tailor my classes and schedule to build a curriculum that matched my desired experience in social media, video production and professional communication.”
Grant enjoyed every minute as a graduate student and found value in every class she took. “Grad school was an intimate experience for me,” she said. “I got to know my professors and peers very well, and I got to choose areas of study that aligned with my professional goals. I would say no moment in my graduate experience was wasted. My classes, internship and graduate assistantships were all enriching.”
Students like Grant who pursue a master’s degree hope that it will serve them for a better future.
“[My master’s degree] made all the difference…The experience from graduate school provided me with a portfolio of work….[and] also allowed for me to demand a higher entry level salary that has set me up for success early-on in my career.” Grant landed a job at Commvault, a software company based in Tinton Falls, after one of her classmates recognized her potential and introduced her to employees at the company.
Karla Avila, a student pursuing a master’s degree in business administration, decided to pursue graduate school in order to grow in her career. “I also enjoy studying and while I am still young, I want to go as far with my education as I possibly can because it is something I value very dearly,” she said. “I am really enjoying learning about things that I did not know before. I am expanding my knowledge and learning a lot from professors and classmates. Even though everything is virtual I feel like I am still learning a lot.”
Meanwhile, Mariah Laster, a senior psychology student, is contemplating the idea of pursuing a Doctor of Psychology Degree (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology.
Laster said, “Psychology is a true passion of mine and it holds the answer to so many of life’s questions pertaining to understanding human behaviors and motives, which is what I enjoy most about in the field. The knowledge in psychology is endless, and I would love to devote my life to its teachings.”
However, Laster faces many external factors influencing her decision. “Attending graduate school is a big commitment, especially when considering the length of time and the workload. The most intimidating aspect of grad school for me is the financial aspect of it. For my program I would have to take out over $100,000 in loans.”
Although the commitment and financial aspect of grad school seems daunting, Laster has applied to several graduate schools in hopes of attending next year in the fall.
“Grad school will allow me to become a Clinical Psychologist, where I can teach at a university and work within the field of forensic psychology,” she said. “This career path is rewarding and will give me a life of personal fulfillment. My advice to anyone who is still deciding on grad school is to follow your passion and if you cannot achieve your dreams without grad school, then don’t let anything stop you from going.”
Grant offered insight about the relationship between graduate school and money. “Graduate school is an investment,” she said. “Search for scholarship and assistantship opportunities so you can really thrive once you graduate and aren’t weighed down by much debt. If money is a non-factor, then I would say absolutely go for it if you think the experience will be fulfilling.”
IMAGE TAKEN from NPR.com
