I have a question for all you guys about College, Graduate School, etc...

[battleknight24]

I'm a college guy less than a year away from getting my Bachelor's degree. I am wondering, in general, for all of you who have at least obtained a Bachelor's degree, and for those of you with some kind of advanced degree (Master's, Doctorate, Law, Medical, etc.)...

What are some really good reasons to pusue an advanced degree, and what are some really bad reasons to pursue an advanced degree.


Peace,

[EFerrari]

1. As an undergrad, I learned how to listen.

As a grad, I learned how to think and talk. And would do it again in a heartbeat. Sorry, can't think of any reason not to go full steam ahead.

:hi:

[Droopy]

2. I don't have a college degree

But I would think that a really good reason to pursue an advanced degree would be the money.

[Yupster]

3. My advanced degree

is in education.

I did it while I was a public school teacher and the class was full of other public school teachers.

There was no reason not to do it.

The degree made you an extra $ 100 + a month, the professors knew we had worked a long day so he didn't keep us long, teach us much or assign us any work.

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Really good reasons would be that you're passionate about the subject

or that you're dead certain that you can find a job in that field. (Related would be that you've got a really excellent assistship or other support.)

Really bad reasons would be using another degree to hide from the real world for another year or years, just staying in school just to stay in school, or just getting a degree just to get a degree.

[punpirate]

5. May depend upon the major and what you intend to do...

... with that degree. If it's in the humanities, you don't gain much by an advanced degree if you don't intend to teach.

With a business degree, you may advance your opportunities by taking an advanced degree in a specialty field unrelated to business (say, a master's in a language in demand, or in an esoteric science). Conversely, a science degree can be enhanced by an advanced degree in management.

But, all that said, you still have to treat what you're learning as something in which you have a real interest--otherwise, it becomes a chore, and you don't get as much out of the education.