Is Grad School Risky? Will the Economy be Better in Two Years?
After getting accepted into grad school for information management last week, I’ve started thinking about how it will impact my career. I plan to send my response to the program saying that I will attend in the fall within the next week, but need to be absolutely sure that leaving my current job won’t be a mistake.
As someone with a B.A. in Economics and an interest in web development/information architecture, I feel that a Master’s in Information Management is an important step in putting some theory and formal education behind the skill set I have gained through independent projects and working as a Web Developer/CMS Training Specialist at the College. The Web Team I work for met me as an intern and I had the opportunity to prove that I was a fast learner and had natural talent for web development before applying for a “real job.” This made it easier to land my current job with them. My fear is that my career development will be too slow if I don’t get a degree to add some weight to when I take about my experience and interests. I hope that my time in grad school will also double as some time to take risks, work on my own projects and try out some other positions.
As much as grad school is important to me, I don’t want to be left without a job when I graduate or with a job that I didn’t need the degree to get. With enough planning in advance, I would expect that I’ll find something I’m happy with but is that just wishful thinking? In the short run, what about part-time work? I’m not sure that a graduate assistantship is the right move for me and I might not get one. I’d love to do some freelance to gain broader experience outside of higher ed, but maybe I need to have a more traditional job first? Ideally I’d like to find a place that I can telecommute most of the time and would allow me to keep working with Content Management Systems, but figure such jobs would be highly competitive.
I’d love to hear anyone’s insight or personal experience with grad school/jobs. Even better, does anyone have recommendations for a good job for me? 
February 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Erin-
As an economics major in the last semester of my Bachelor’s, I feel like I understand your pain! That being said, if you feel that getting your graduate degree is the next step for you, don’t let anything stop you, especially not just your fears about getting work. Believe me, I understand those fears well, but you can’t let them hold you back.
Its not just about staying positive and believing in yourself, either. In a more grounded, logical sense, it sounds like this may give you the opportunity to pursue other avenues of income/enrichment, as you mention in your last paragraph. I absolutely do not think you need a traditional job before you try some freelance work. Tap your network, and their networks. Use your blog as an outlet, and showcase your skills every chance you get. Start with smaller, local companies, so that even if telecommuting isn’t an option, you may still be able to stay with your current company, which sounds like a great place that recognizes the value you bring. Above all, just don’t get locked in to (or out of) any one particular path just because the outcome is uncertain! As I mentioned on my blog over at Brassy Tactics last week, diversifying your options and really pursuing your goals is a great way to ensure you always have work, but it also enriches you as a person. Just some thoughts!
@rperdue
February 20th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
What about deferring grad school for a year and getting more real world experience? I took time off between my degrees and don’t regret it. When I graduate I’ll have some solid work experience behind me as well as a degree. That said, I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad idea to go straight from one degree to the other either. So, I’m wishy washy!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Robby, thanks for the thoughts! It would definitely be pursuing a passion, so I agree it’s a good chance to take. All of the press coverage of “don’t go to grad school to avoid the recession” just scares me a bit of course.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Thanks for the comment Sara! I actually graduated last year and am working full-time as a web developer (though I happen to be working for the college), so I will have taken a year off between degrees. I guess I’m just not sure about whether one year is enough? Or if grad school will increase me salary potential more than just continuing to work? Of course, grad school is a personal goal regardless. It’s just a matter of being 100% that the timing and the program are right.
February 21st, 2009 at 12:20 am
Well Erin, if you’ve managed to be admitted, want to attend that school, and have the funds, then this is a good time to go. Better to wait for the economy to improve to seek better employment. However, you already have an advantage over others. You’ve started your own little business through this blog, even if you are not currently making any money off of it. Keep thinking of the blog as a potential source of revenue down the road.