Thinking about graduate school

**zoedragon** · 10-27-04, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamarquez

I was thinking about Graduate school. If I do do it should I get a job first for 2 years after I get my degree or should I just go for it after I graduate?

This is pulled from the QA thread in General Discussions, so I thought I'd continue it here.

Some employers might actually help you pay for your continued education. If you can get lucky and find such a place, it would be to your benefit to get the job first.

On the other hand the advantage to going straight into graduate school, if you can afford it, is that you don't lose any momentum. If you wait a couple years before continuing, you might never continue.

Young Entrepreneur · 10-27-04, 09:48 AM

I'm actually thinking of attending "How to Prepare for Graduate School" workshop on early November. Let me see what I get out of it.

**zoedragon** · 10-27-04, 10:05 AM

It would be great if you could post your findings here, so people who are unable to attend can get some of that knowledge too.

Steven · 10-27-04, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young Entrepreneur

I'm actually thinking of attending "How to Prepare for Graduate School" workshop on early November. Let me see what I get out of it.

Who is running the workshop? I went to a graduate school workshop last year. Most of the workshop was just an advertisement for Kaplan.

jamarquez · 10-27-04, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoedragon

....
Some employers might actually help you pay for your continued education. If you can get lucky and find such a place, it would be to your benefit to get the job first.

Thanks for putting up the thread.

I will be planning to talk to people who work in my area of study to see what they say about it. I just talked to one about 2 months ago and he told me that I should go get my masters BUT it varies with people if they should start right away (or in 2 years) after graduating with a BS/BA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young Entrepreneur

....
I'm actually thinking of attending "How to Prepare for Graduate School" workshop on early November. Let me see what I get out of it.

I know which one you are talking about, I can't go, but like what zoedragon said if you can, can you place what they talked about on this thread?

Talon · 10-27-04, 05:04 PM

What is your major jamarquez?

jamarquez · 10-27-04, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talon

What is your major jamarquez?

Im a PLS Major

LilWahine · 10-28-04, 08:01 PM

I graduated Cal Poly last December and started the MBA program this fall. I am going full time (8 units) just to stay in the swing of things at school. I felt I wouldn't continue if I didn't start within a year or two of graduating. I have been working close to full time for the past three years though at my job (35-39 hours).
I think it helps having work situations to relate to in most of your classes because there is such diversity in these classes. In one of my classes there are about 30 people and we all had to say what major we were in and where we worked. Not one person was even in the same field. It makes our groups discussions so interesting when we all come from different workplaces. I definately recommend grad school.
Basically another reason why I came back was to stay on my parent's insurance for another year. I am hoping to find a job that pays for part of my schooling, but in the mean time, I'm happy to pay for most my first year.

***Admin*** · 10-28-04, 11:08 PM

For those that plan to attend Grad School or already are, what are/was your motive? Higher income? Status & recognition by your colleagues and friends? More opportunities afterwards?

I got a chance to read a chapter in the "The Millionaire Next Door" book (everyone should check it out!

) and in one of the section, the author(s) explain the PAW and the UAW concept. The author labels a person, the Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth (PAW) and the other person, Under Accumulators of Wealth (UAW - spendthrift).
A high school graduate (1st person) who started his own businesses and invested his time, energy, and money in his small & successful business and never had the opportunity to attend college and obtain a degree. While another person (2nd person) had the privilege to attend a university and also complete his MBA program. Who do you think is the PAW in this situation? Do you think the MBA student is the PAW since he is a professional student right out of college and ready to get to work in a reputable firm or could the 1st person with the thriving business be the PAW? According to the The Millionare Next Door book, the 1st person is the PAW. While the 2nd person spent many years in an expensive institution, accumulating a large debt to his existing college tuition, the 1st person was able to accumulate a large capital from the profit his business and with no tuition debt!

Well, the story goes something like that. Of course, this story or idea is not true for all cases.

**zoedragon** · 10-29-04, 09:56 AM

Person #1 is a "Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth" because he had a unique combination of traits that made him a prodigy among his peers. He had a great idea, which requires creativity and vision. He had the talent to implement the idea, and the will and ambition required to see it through. Most people have some of these traits, but very few of us have all them. So the lucky prodigies get to enjoy their success while the rest of us have to do the best we can with our UAW status.

I did not opt for graduate school for a few reasons. The biggest reason was I was just plain sick of school. By the time you get your undergraduate degree you've been studying for 16-18 years! I figured an undergraduate degree would be enough to get me a job that I enjoy, and I'd work my way up the ladder from there. It felt so good to be out of school, I didn't even bother attending my own graduation.

rensky · 10-29-04, 02:33 PM

im a grad student..came here from another country and then worked for 2 years (that was immediately after my undergrads)...then its my first quarter here at CPP ..

to tell u guys the truth, i hated my major, but actually, givin urself a try by actually working in the field gives u a better perspective of whether u'd wanna attend grad school and learn more about it..

im glad i gave it a shot, i love my field...now i'm gettin a good chance to learn more..but on the other hand, leaving school for 2 years can be a setback to ur grades during the start of grad school.......

im not sure whether these are good advices, but i'd say - for me, going to grad school is not for being able to make lots more money when i graduate..but it's just to provide a formal environment for me to re-learn what i've missed, and to learn more. now that i've worked for 2 years, i know exactly which part of my field i'm aiming at.......so...i know what courses to take

**zoedragon** · 10-29-04, 02:51 PM

Targeted self improvement is a good reason to go to grad school. And it doesn't look bad on your resume either!

Talon · 10-29-04, 02:57 PM

I definitely want to go to grad school and get my PhD. However I do not know what specific area I want to focus on. My major is psychology and I find it the subject itself very interesting, but eventually I will have to choose a certain area to focus on. I also hope to get some hands on experience maybe through an internship perhaps. I still have some time to think about it. Although sometimes just thinking about it seems stressful, but I am determined to finish my work which includes getting my Masters, an internship, and working in the field for quite a while. It seems like a lot, but I want to achieve my goal no matter how long it may take.

xiaoxue · 10-30-04, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talon

I definitely want to go to grad school and get my PhD. However I do not know what specific area I want to focus on. My major is psychology and I find it the subject itself very interesting, but eventually I will have to choose a certain area to focus on. I also hope to get some hands on experience maybe through an internship perhaps. I still have some time to think about it. Although sometimes just thinking about it seems stressful, but I am determined to finish my work which includes getting my Masters, an internship, and working in the field for quite a while. It seems like a lot, but I want to achieve my goal no matter how long it may take.

i would find a ph.d. program where there is a demand and that is not psych. you might try marketing which is close.

10-28-04, 11:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Admin* Think About It Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,974	For those that plan to attend Grad School or already are, what are/was your motive? Higher income? Status & recognition by your colleagues and friends? More opportunities afterwards? I got a chance to read a chapter in the "The Millionaire Next Door" book (everyone should check it out! ) and in one of the section, the author(s) explain the PAW and the UAW concept. The author labels a person, the Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth (PAW) and the other person, Under Accumulators of Wealth (UAW - spendthrift). A high school graduate (1st person) who started his own businesses and invested his time, energy, and money in his small & successful business and never had the opportunity to attend college and obtain a degree. While another person (2nd person) had the privilege to attend a university and also complete his MBA program. Who do you think is the PAW in this situation? Do you think the MBA student is the PAW since he is a professional student right out of college and ready to get to work in a reputable firm or could the 1st person with the thriving business be the PAW? According to the The Millionare Next Door book, the 1st person is the PAW. While the 2nd person spent many years in an expensive institution, accumulating a large debt to his existing college tuition, the 1st person was able to accumulate a large capital from the profit his business and with no tuition debt! Well, the story goes something like that. Of course, this story or idea is not true for all cases. __________________ Cal Poly Forums

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10-27-04, 09:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Young Entrepreneur Enthusiast Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Riverside Posts: 169	I'm actually thinking of attending "How to Prepare for Graduate School" workshop on early November. Let me see what I get out of it.

10-27-04, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
zoedragon Fire-breather Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Inglewood, CA Posts: 668	It would be great if you could post your findings here, so people who are unable to attend can get some of that knowledge too.

10-27-04, 05:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Talon Enthusiast Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 184	What is your major jamarquez?

10-28-04, 08:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
LilWahine Newcomer Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 38	I graduated Cal Poly last December and started the MBA program this fall. I am going full time (8 units) just to stay in the swing of things at school. I felt I wouldn't continue if I didn't start within a year or two of graduating. I have been working close to full time for the past three years though at my job (35-39 hours). I think it helps having work situations to relate to in most of your classes because there is such diversity in these classes. In one of my classes there are about 30 people and we all had to say what major we were in and where we worked. Not one person was even in the same field. It makes our groups discussions so interesting when we all come from different workplaces. I definately recommend grad school. Basically another reason why I came back was to stay on my parent's insurance for another year. I am hoping to find a job that pays for part of my schooling, but in the mean time, I'm happy to pay for most my first year.

10-29-04, 09:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
zoedragon Fire-breather Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Inglewood, CA Posts: 668	Person #1 is a "Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth" because he had a unique combination of traits that made him a prodigy among his peers. He had a great idea, which requires creativity and vision. He had the talent to implement the idea, and the will and ambition required to see it through. Most people have some of these traits, but very few of us have all them. So the lucky prodigies get to enjoy their success while the rest of us have to do the best we can with our UAW status. I did not opt for graduate school for a few reasons. The biggest reason was I was just plain sick of school. By the time you get your undergraduate degree you've been studying for 16-18 years! I figured an undergraduate degree would be enough to get me a job that I enjoy, and I'd work my way up the ladder from there. It felt so good to be out of school, I didn't even bother attending my own graduation.

10-29-04, 02:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
rensky Active Member Joined: May 2004 Location: Monrovia CA Posts: 99	im a grad student..came here from another country and then worked for 2 years (that was immediately after my undergrads)...then its my first quarter here at CPP .. to tell u guys the truth, i hated my major, but actually, givin urself a try by actually working in the field gives u a better perspective of whether u'd wanna attend grad school and learn more about it.. im glad i gave it a shot, i love my field...now i'm gettin a good chance to learn more..but on the other hand, leaving school for 2 years can be a setback to ur grades during the start of grad school....... im not sure whether these are good advices, but i'd say - for me, going to grad school is not for being able to make lots more money when i graduate..but it's just to provide a formal environment for me to re-learn what i've missed, and to learn more. now that i've worked for 2 years, i know exactly which part of my field i'm aiming at.......so...i know what courses to take

10-29-04, 02:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
zoedragon Fire-breather Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Inglewood, CA Posts: 668	Targeted self improvement is a good reason to go to grad school. And it doesn't look bad on your resume either!

10-29-04, 02:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
Talon Enthusiast Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 184	I definitely want to go to grad school and get my PhD. However I do not know what specific area I want to focus on. My major is psychology and I find it the subject itself very interesting, but eventually I will have to choose a certain area to focus on. I also hope to get some hands on experience maybe through an internship perhaps. I still have some time to think about it. Although sometimes just thinking about it seems stressful, but I am determined to finish my work which includes getting my Masters, an internship, and working in the field for quite a while. It seems like a lot, but I want to achieve my goal no matter how long it may take.