Go to Graduate School or Look for a Job?

As graduation approaches some college seniors must decide if they should go to graduate school or look for a job. Some college seniors, have no choice about going to graduate school if they plan careers that require additional training. For other college seniors the decision to go to graduate school or get a job is an important one which will impact short term career planning..

Go to graduate school or go to work? Think economy

With high unemployment rates college seniors could choose to go to graduate school while the economy recovers. Although they will gain new job skills in graduate school, college seniors should know that they will still have to work in entry level jobs after graduation, Whether the first job is right after a bachelors degree or right after a masters degree; there is no way to skip the entry-level, first job experience.

Go to graduate school or go to work? Think finances

If a college senior chooses to go to graduate school they must also think about adding to college loans or financing through fellowships, assistantships or scholarships. College seniors who cannot fund graduate school could choose to go to look for a job where employers offer tuition reimbursement.

Go to graduate school or go to work? Think future earnings and salary

There is not much point in amassing more college debt after graduate school if future income will not be much higher than it would be with a bachelor degree. When deciding whether to go to graduate school or look for a job consider the lower cost of state colleges and universities versus private colleges. Although a graduate school will offer higher future earnings, there won't be much difference right after graduate school without work experience.

Go to graduate school or go to work? Think career center for advice

It is the job of college career center staff to guide college seniors with career planning. A college senior who is trying to decide whether to go to graduate school or look for a job should visit the career center. Career center can connect college seniors with alumni who chose either option. College professors are a great campus resource as well.