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Started By
Message
Is Grad school a waste of time?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:29 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:29 am
For those of you who went to Grad school, I'm curious if you saw a return on your investment. What did you go for? And, did it help you for your future goals?
37
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:29 am to El_Tigre94
Well that all depends on what you go to grad school for.
Since you're asking this question, it sounds like you're considering a masters in the humanities.
If I had to give a blanket answer, I'd say that's not worth it (coming from someone who has a masters in the humanities). But it depends on your own circumstances.
For example, I have no idea what this covid-19 situation is going to do to the job market. If you can get accepted to a good grad program and snag a teaching/research assistantship along with it, that may be a pretty good way to ride out the next couple of years.
Since you're asking this question, it sounds like you're considering a masters in the humanities.
If I had to give a blanket answer, I'd say that's not worth it (coming from someone who has a masters in the humanities). But it depends on your own circumstances.
For example, I have no idea what this covid-19 situation is going to do to the job market. If you can get accepted to a good grad program and snag a teaching/research assistantship along with it, that may be a pretty good way to ride out the next couple of years.
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 9:33 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:30 am to El_Tigre94
Seems very broad. Certain fields yes, others No
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:30 am to El_Tigre94
The generic nature of this post suggest that no, grad school isn't a good option
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:30 am to El_Tigre94
quote:
Is Grad school a waste of time?
For dance and theater, absolutely
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:31 am to El_Tigre94
Some people go to grad school to learn and for a general passion for what they study (research PhDs). It's not a waste for them even though they could come out ahead monetarily doing something else.
If you go through life constantly judging your time based off opportunity cost and investment, you will end up rich and miserable.
If you go through life constantly judging your time based off opportunity cost and investment, you will end up rich and miserable.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:31 am to El_Tigre94
Probably depends on your industry connections in the end. Industry experience trumps education in the end...assuming it's a high skilled job.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:31 am to Pettifogger
quote:
The generic nature of this post suggest that no, grad school isn't a good option
succinctly put
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 9:32 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:31 am to El_Tigre94
well a masters in French Literature is probably a waste of time, but a medical degree probably isn't
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:33 am to El_Tigre94
Chemistry.
As a STEM field, where you do actual "Graduate Work" it was a lot of time and effort for minimal pay $23k or so per year.
It definitely delayed earning $$.
But, did raise my ceiling a bit.
The jury is still out on whether it was worth it. I'd venture to say "no" however.
In most cases regardless of field I'd say if you pay for grad school it isn't worth it.
If someone else does it might be.
I'm likely going to get an MBA on employers dime if they are willing to pay.
Sadly, like most things the answer is "it depends".
As a STEM field, where you do actual "Graduate Work" it was a lot of time and effort for minimal pay $23k or so per year.
It definitely delayed earning $$.
But, did raise my ceiling a bit.
The jury is still out on whether it was worth it. I'd venture to say "no" however.
In most cases regardless of field I'd say if you pay for grad school it isn't worth it.
If someone else does it might be.
I'm likely going to get an MBA on employers dime if they are willing to pay.
Sadly, like most things the answer is "it depends".
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:35 am to icegator337
quote:
a medical degree probably isn't
Graduate School not Professional School.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:43 am to El_Tigre94
Mine was very informative and gave me confidence
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:54 am to El_Tigre94
College in general is a total and complete scam and waste of time.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:54 am to El_Tigre94
MBA. It checked a box and I didn't have to pay for it. I already had a business degree and I didn't learn anything new I couldn't have learned just as easily on the job. It's probably useful for someone with a non-business degree who aspires to be in management.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:54 am to El_Tigre94
A masters degree was required for board certification in my chosen field so didn’t have a choice,
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:55 am to El_Tigre94
It depends on how much you value learning in and of itself.
Its value isn’t measured wholly in dollars and cents. Your question is whether it’s a waste of time. To answer the question, you have to consider what you spend your time doing. If it’s making money, then you have to ask yourself if a short term hit is worth long term payoff. In most cases, that’s a pretty simple calculation to make.
If you spend your time learning about the world and trying to find deeper understanding of things, then in most cases, graduate school will feel like the education you should have had all along. I personally never felt challenged or really rewarded in any way with my learning until I went to graduate school and encountered the next level.
Initially, I wanted to go to grad school to open a new career path and make more money for the next 30 years. But I discovered I was good at it, and I’m almost done with a Ph.D now. I’m happy because I feel like I’m doing what I should be doing. I’m happy. Honestly, it doesn’t make a hell of a lot of financial sense, but I would rather do something more meaningful to me than making a lot of money (while respecting those who choose that path - nothing wrong with it, it’s just not ME).
Its value isn’t measured wholly in dollars and cents. Your question is whether it’s a waste of time. To answer the question, you have to consider what you spend your time doing. If it’s making money, then you have to ask yourself if a short term hit is worth long term payoff. In most cases, that’s a pretty simple calculation to make.
If you spend your time learning about the world and trying to find deeper understanding of things, then in most cases, graduate school will feel like the education you should have had all along. I personally never felt challenged or really rewarded in any way with my learning until I went to graduate school and encountered the next level.
Initially, I wanted to go to grad school to open a new career path and make more money for the next 30 years. But I discovered I was good at it, and I’m almost done with a Ph.D now. I’m happy because I feel like I’m doing what I should be doing. I’m happy. Honestly, it doesn’t make a hell of a lot of financial sense, but I would rather do something more meaningful to me than making a lot of money (while respecting those who choose that path - nothing wrong with it, it’s just not ME).
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:56 am to Man With A Plan
quote:
College in general is a total and complete scam and waste of time.
College can be a scam, agree
But it's not a waste of time for many/most
If everyone skipped college and opened their own plumbing shop, all the "college is a waste of time" people would be fricked
Posted on 5/5/20 at 10:04 am to El_Tigre94
Like others have said, it depends.
My MS in Finance was worth it, even though I don’t work in Finance. But it’s only worth it because it allowed me to paper over the mess I made of undergrad
My MS in Finance was worth it, even though I don’t work in Finance. But it’s only worth it because it allowed me to paper over the mess I made of undergrad
Posted on 5/5/20 at 10:06 am to El_Tigre94
Are you asking if an MBA is worth it?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 10:07 am to El_Tigre94
It depends on how much additional indoctrination you need.
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