Comments on: Is Grad School Risky? Will the Economy be Better in Two Years? http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/ A blog about life after college, lessons learned and things we still haven't figured out. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:51:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Reggie Greene / The Logistician http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/comment-page-1/#comment-307 Reggie Greene / The Logistician Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:20:41 +0000 http://www.collegegradlessons.com/?p=157#comment-307 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. 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.

]]> By: Erin http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/comment-page-1/#comment-306 Erin Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:19:46 +0000 http://www.collegegradlessons.com/?p=157#comment-306 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. 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.

]]> By: Erin http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/comment-page-1/#comment-305 Erin Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:15:22 +0000 http://www.collegegradlessons.com/?p=157#comment-305 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. 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.

]]> By: Sara http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/comment-page-1/#comment-304 Sara Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:21:39 +0000 http://www.collegegradlessons.com/?p=157#comment-304 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! 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!

]]> By: Robby http://www.collegegradlessons.com/2009/02/is-grad-school-risky-will-the-economy-be-better-in-two-years/comment-page-1/#comment-303 Robby Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:06:41 +0000 http://www.collegegradlessons.com/?p=157#comment-303 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 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

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