Is grad school a waste of time? Good question. It all depends on the program you choose, how that program can help your career and whether or not you make the most of the opportunity.
Evaluate the return. When you go to grad school, you should go with a specific career goal in mind. A graduate school degree should enhance your skill set, not make you seem unemployable or overqualified. Graduate school can be expensive, so you want to be able to get a good job when you finish.
Ask yourself why you are going. Are graduate school applications tempting you because the job market is bad or because you feel like you don't quite know what direction you would like to take in your career? Then stop now. Graduate school is only for those who know exactly what they want to do and who want to get ahead in a specific career.
Think about what you learn in the program. Not all graduate school programs are worth it. For example, journalists continue to debate whether or not attending journalism school is a good idea because much of what you learn there you can learn on the job.
Consider the job market after you get your degree. If you are getting an advanced degree in biomedical engineering, for example, you may have better luck finding a job than if you earned a PhD in comparative literature. Both disciplines are important, but there are fewer universities looking for comparative literature professors, and the competition is fierce. Plus, a person with an advanced degree in engineering can find a job within industry, whereas those options are few if you are in the humanities.
Talk to your boss. Grad school is definitely not a waste of time if you already have a job and it can boost your salary and your skill set. Companies know this as well; that's why many of them offer tuition reimbursement programs. If your graduate school goals fit your company's goals, then they may be willing to foot the bill as long as you keep working for the company for a few years after you've finished.
Become an extrovert. If you know for sure that grad school is the way to go, then it is up to you to make sure it is not a waste of time. Meeting people who can give you a leg up in the future is critical. Start talking to and contacting professors even before you apply, and talk to your mentors at your undergraduate institution to find out what they know and which programs will suit you best.
 | As you consider graduate schools, you need to weigh several factors. Grad program rankings are important, but equally important is whether or not graduate school will help you meet your career goals. |
 | Most graduate school scholarships come straight from the schools themselves, which means the hardest part is just getting into the program. By developing a strategy for standing out, you will improve your chances for acceptance and funding. |
Online graduate schools offer the benefits of flexible schedules, so you will have an easier time working while studying. Their programs are best suited for those who want to keep working while earning their degrees. |
Graduate school rankings are important. The better the school you get into, the more successful you will be. Or is that entirely true? |
A doctorate degree should not be taken lightly. It requires years of hard work to achieve, and you will spend several years out of the workforce in order to get it. |
