Benefits Monetary Benefits According to the US Census Bureau, Americans with graduate degrees can earn an average of $10,100 more than those with bachelors’ degrees. Salary boosts vary by profession, but typically advanced degrees can yield higher returns than most any other investment a person can make. Career Change Some feel that after working in the “real world” their career options are limited. Some find that their interests and abilities have developed over time and no longer have anything to do with their undergraduate education. Career or Salary Advancement The upper levels of certain fields may be closed to people without an advanced degree, no matter how talented or industrious they are. Switch from Practitioner to Administrator After working in the trenches for a while and developing a strong sense of how an organization is run, the opportunity to move up to the management level may occur. This often requires graduate education. Lure of Ivy Walls Teaching at two-year colleges requires at least a master's degree or a doctorate. To teach or do research at four-year colleges, and universities, a doctorate or a professional degree in the field is necessary. Professional Licensing Social workers, psychologists, therapists, and others who directly treat or counsel, generally need graduate education to meet national and state licensing requirements. Love of Learning & Intellectual Curiosity Many people choose grad school simply because they love the field, or the job prospects. Job Market Sometimes a slow economy is a popular reason for going right from college to graduate school. However, the bottom line is the need to make a realistic appraisal of career goals and to have a specific plan. Graduate School Opportunities Strong students - Graduate schools are looking for strong students with the initiative and ability to do graduate work
- Prospective graduate students need to know why they want a particular degree.
- Strong grades and evaluations play a major role, and strong GREs can secure a spot.
Job trends- Occupations usually requiring a bachelor’s degree or more education are projected to be among the fastest growing through 2008
- Fast growing occupations have better employment prospects and favorable conditions for mobility and advancement.
- Graduate students have direct access to faculty and other professionals in their field.
- Professional academic conferences provide opportunities to meet intellectual leaders.
- With graduation will come opportunities to publish and to present research at conferences.
Growth & Development- Graduate School is about Focus and Skills Development
- Graduate School is a time of intensive studies, and through this, students finds within themselves the strength, direction, and resourcefulness to make time and work valuable.
- It is a time to grow confident in academic skills, to stretch capabilities and discover limitations.
- It is also a time to fully translate intellect into action, to find new ideas, and direct them towards new intellectual goals. (All of these developments help personally, academically, and professionally)
Gain Valuable Work Experience- Graduate teaching assistantships provide valuable experience.
- Teaching experience is taken into consideration when applying for a faculty position.
- Classroom presentations are challenges and rewards that make the most of education.
- Graduate research assistantships will give direct experience in the fields of study.
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