Should I Go to Grad School to Enhance my Career - CareerAlley

Should I Go to Grad School to Enhance my Career - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If you are working you may be wondering if going back to graduate school could enhance your career. What are the pros and cons of going to grad school? Is it right for everyone? These are just some of the questions you may be wondering, and the answer is that it may be right for you, and it may not. Here are some of those pros and cons The Grad School Pro List There are some advantages of seeking to further your education and career by going to grad school. Depending on your current situation and the situation you see yourself in for the near future, it may be right. Here are some of the pros of graduate school: Advancing or Changing a Career If you are looking to go to a different job trade, such as social work or psychology, a grad school degree can open up that job path. It can also advance some careers that have higher degree of job trades at the higher education level. To Teach or Travel If you are wanting to teach at a college or university, getting a graduate degree will increase those chances. Most teachers start with a nice salary and get a pension when retired. Travel opportunities also open up when you have a good research degree, which can really be a boon to those that like to explore and see new places. Work Incentives There are some companies that will pay for a part of your education when you go back to work. Keep in mind there may be restrictions such as having to go for a job-related field but HR can help you with any questions. Earn More While this isnt a given, there are many graduate degree graduates that do not make more money, it is a possibility. However, keep in mind the two to three year (or more) commitment to earn that degree. The Grad School Con List There are also some real issues with going back to school after starting a job. Graduate school is not an easy task, here are some of the cons of going back to school: There Can Be Many Things Going Wrong While you may be able to get your grad school degree in a couple of years, there are always things that can go wrong. Your thesis may take longer, your supervisor may not like your vision, there can be money problems, you may not even get the support you need. Things to consider. Competition While some thrive on competition, others do not. There are not many spots in a graduate program and youll be in competition with others for those spots. Once in, youll still be competing for grant money and things like that. Stress Whether you are alone or in a relationship, the graduate school program is very taxing to the mind, body, and soul. You may not have the strength to take it to completion, especially if family starts to resent you being gone or studying so long. Going back to school is a serious commitment and deserves a thorough thought before signing up. Take into account all the pros and cons and see if it is going to be your best solution for enhancing your career. About the Author: Tina Samuels writes for Reputation.com and other business sites. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif