As a graduate-to-be, like many other seniors, I have recently done a lot of thinking about my future. Michael Dell (the founder and CEO of Dell, Inc.) once said that "you don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream”. You can interpret this quote regarding the creation of technology, but I always like to correlate it with where I am going next. Okay, so after three years, I have decided that I am going to graduate school. I know, to some of you, you may think it is a very natural thing to either find a job or to continue studying after graduation. Yet, I struggled a lot before I made this decision.
To me, there are several very important reasons for me to go to a graduate school. First of all, I like researching. Thus, a master’s with a thesis program allows me to explore my research interests and sharpen my research skills as well as technical knowledge in a particular field. I have always been excited about running an independent research project. To me, it is a time for a mental “self-talk”, during which I can improve my decision-making abilities, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and I may find my life passion and deepest interests. Secondly, I think that this degree can prepare me to work in a variety of work settings, such as research labs, industry, government, etc., or it can prepare me to continue towards my doctoral degree. Plus, many universities provide fellowships, scholarships, or assistantships, which help us to solve some financial problems or burdens, as we have no income during those two years. Meanwhile, we can better equip ourselves with a higher level of specialty, knowledge, and skills. Last, but not least, I have a lot of fun during the application period (including the GRE preparation). All of the preparation work benefits us regarding our own self-growth. When I evaluate graduate programs, there are four criteria that I consider, such as whether the programs fit my learning styles, whether they fit my educational/career goals, whether they have any research opportunities that interest me, and whether they have faculty that match my research interests. In addition, I don’t want to miss any chance to see the campus in person, either during the interview or during an open house, as graduate school is intense, and I do want to stay in one that has an optimal university environment.
One tip that I have come up with if you are still not sure about achieving a higher degree is that you first figure out your career goals. You may need to investigate to find some options that line up with your interests and ambitions. You may also need to look up the future career prospects in those areas. Overall, it’s very, very important to do some soul-searching! While you are searching, don’t forget that you can always go to the Career Center for help and you may also want to check out this Resource Toolbox site for little guidance.