Grad School Isn't an Escape From a Bad Job Market

Reader Comments
Back to blog

While I agree with many of the thoughts of the author, this article points to downsides that don't exist in all circumstances. This article assumes that you attend graduate school directly after your undergrad, without working at the same time. I recently finished my MBA and worked full-time while doing so. While professional accomplishments are the most important to career progression, an advanced degree can help to bolster one's credentials and help you stand out from a pack of, otherwise equal candidates. Know where you want to go and ensure that the degree pertains to what you want to do. Finally, if your company offers it, working while going to school can be a no-brainer as my tuition was 100% paid for through reimbursement.

Chris Chapin of WA 5:34PM January 08, 2013

Grad school is worth it only if you have gotten funding by it by fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships.
DO NOT TAKE OUT STUDENT LOANS TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL. It is a losing proposition.

Accounting PhD of IL 12:45PM January 26, 2012

Unemployment in construction is 21.2%, I wish these guys would tell the truth. We all need to education ourself in this tough market only way is a degree or change your career.. search online for High Speed Universities for career advice

edwina quiroz of NY 6:50AM December 22, 2011

California College Suspensions And The Right To A Hearing Within Ten Days
Pursuant to California Education Code section 66017, a California Community College, California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) may suspend a student for willful disruption, to protect lives or property, or to ensure the maintenance of order. [This is not an exhaustive list.] However, if the suspension by the college is issued immediately (e.g. the student is kicked off campus right then), the student is legally entitled, per this section, to a hearing within 10 days.
http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html
edlaw4students dot com

bc0100 of CA 2:18AM December 22, 2011

This is a message that far too few people hear before it is too late. Grad school is an enormous life investment of years that involves major opportunity costs.
The "100 reasons NOT to go to grad school" blog (http://100rsns.blogspot.com/) is just one of many voices on the Internet yelling "STOP and think about this!" to prospective graduate students.
Even for the people who manage to finish a graduate degree, the experience can be both miserable and unhelpful in the long run.

WG of CA 5:19PM December 21, 2011

I completely agree. As a current PhD student in sociology, I can attest to the workload and student loan debt: it's no joke. There may be some benefit to a graduate degree you don't really want but think you 'should' get, but any benefit would be smothered by the reality of student loan debt and the amount of work required of most graduate students. If it isn't something you really want or need, it probably isn't worth the effort.

Street Philosopher of HI 4:45PM December 21, 2011

Another reason to wait on a graduate degree, some employers will actually pay for some or all of it. The bonus to this situation is less student loans and usually an immediate raise after you get the degree.

Malissa of WA 11:26AM December 21, 2011