Yakezie.com - Topic: help? grad school after work experience?

Financial Samurai on help? grad school after work experience?

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 19:48:55 +0000

JP - What's the latest?

As for me, I went to grad school part-time and my employer paid for about 80% of it. It was fun, and informative. The professors were like consultants in real work scenarios I was dealing with (negotiations, finance, marketing, real estate etc).

I think a tit for tat strategy is best.. go to college, graduate, see what your college degree can do for you. If not so much, then keep looking to maximize only until you realize you might need a leg up. Then go.

Along the way, figure out if there are any areas of improvement besides your education that needs improving. Often times, there is that something.

Gluck!

Sam

MoneyBeagle on help? grad school after work experience?

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:02:46 +0000

I went for my MBA while working full time, and it was at a school that was designed for professionals, so I was able to complete it while I worked. I started about four years after I graduated college. A couple of years prior to that I had looked into going to more prestigious schools full time but ended up backing away from that, and I was just fine with the way things worked out.

Speaking of working out, it got even better. I worked at a small company and so working hours often extended past 9-5 or required us to work off-hours. I mentioned that I was going to be applying to school, just so he was aware there would be limitations to my schedule, and on the spot he offered to cover the tuition.

Needless to say, I was floored.

Moneysma on help? grad school after work experience?

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 06:26:49 +0000

I worked before I went to grad school. Before I started grad school, my company was hiring and my boss would tell me about all these people applying who went right to grad school after undergrad and how the company won't hire them. The reason was because 1) they had no real work experience and 2) having a grad degree, they demanded a higher salary. The company wasn't willing to pay a high salary to someone who was not proven to be a good worker.

When I was in grad school, I was glad that I worked. Not only did my company help me pay for it, but we used many real life examples in the classes. Without the work experience, I would have just sat there with nothing to contribute. Plus, I could better relate to the problems/issues others brought up/faced.

ShoppingtoSaving on help? grad school after work experience?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:58:58 +0000

I would love to work full-time while going to law school part time. That was my goal and I'm reapplying again this year to try to get into the school I want. If I can't, I'm going to have to quit and go to school full-time. I really don't like that idea. I have gotten so used to income and budgeting. Going to school full-time will mean back to being a broke student!

Eric - PersonalProfitability.com on help? grad school after work experience?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:05:44 +0000

I worked full time while MBA schooling full time. Work experience is important along with education to prospective employers.

CBC on help? grad school after work experience?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:52:21 +0000

I was in a similar position myself a year or two ago now! Although I was slightly younger at the time. I chose to go straight into work, as in my opinion employers look for experience over qualifications.

Unless you are working towards a profession which requires multiple qualifications then I would almost certainly go into further education. You could also get yourself a part time job if you wish, so you are earning money at the same time!

Earth and Money on help? grad school after work experience?

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:11:51 +0000

I went to grad school, then went to work, then went back to grad school, and now am leaving grad school earlier than I had planned to go back to work. Why all the back and forth? Partly because I was listening to what others were telling me to do and partly because I was doing what I thought I was expected to do. Only now am I finally listening to myself and doing what I want to do. So my advice, ask yourself what do you want to do? If you can invent your own job, what would it be? If you don't know, try things until you learn more about what you want.

This That And The MBA on help? grad school after work experience?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:25:25 +0000

I started working before going to grad school. I found in the field of finance atleast in my area that people want you to have a little experience along with the degree. Most employers I have found see the degree as someone that is trainable, but the experience shows they have been in the trenches and can do the work.

Andi B. on help? grad school after work experience?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:49:12 +0000

I went to school as a math/physics major at 15, got my A.S., transferred to UCD actually, and I knew inside I was unhappy. Everyone told me I needed to have a business degree, I needed more school, so I transferred to CSUS and got within one year of my degree and left. I went to school to be a massage therapist and it was the best decision I made. I tried going back to school once, but it only reminded me that I was happier doing what I was doing. The twists and turns a life takes after school is unimaginable. Through those years I've lived in multiple states, worked at major resorts, met amazing people, and transitioned into work that utilizes all my skills, the mathematics, and the massage training.

You went to school for your degrees as a reason. I would sit down and assess the initial why. If the only reason you chose your degrees was the money potential, than you may want to take a different track, but if you chose it because of an internal purpose, try and see if that still exists and if it is worth following.

One Frugal Girl on help? grad school after work experience?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:54:36 +0000

I think entering the workforce first is the right way to go. If your lucky you'll find a job that will pay for your graduate school. Plus once you start working in your field you'll determine if that's really where you want to stay. I would suggest trying to volunteer or intern at a place you're interested in working if they won't bring you on board right away with a big salary. Work experience may be much more valuable than a degree to most people who hire you. While some companies are looking for that long list of degrees many managers are more interested in real world experience.

MoneyBeagle on help? grad school after work experience?

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:21:45 +0000

I worked for about four years before starting my MBA, which I did in the evenings. I offhandedly mentioned it to my boss at the time, just to give him a heads up that I would be unavailable at certain points, and he offered to pay for the classes. That was sweet!

Super Frugalette on help? grad school after work experience?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:31:47 +0000

I would call head hunters in your area and have a discussion with them regarding your current skill set and what skill set you need to obtain an entry level job. That should give you some direction.

Daisy on help? grad school after work experience?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:23:12 +0000

I'd probably do both - work experience is SUPER important, but so is education depending on the job, and you can always take it "slow" and do both to make up the difference, both financially and experience-wise. I know getting a bachelors isn't even close to grad school as far as how much work it is, but I work full time and am taking three 4th year courses - i've done four before too. I'm sure you could just take a couple of courses :)

That's my two cents!

Renée @ NickelbyNickel on help? grad school after work experience?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:32:19 +0000

I'm working and going to school, I went to school before and ended up with one diploma that was completely useless. I agree with your decision to wait, you'll get a better idea of what you'll want/need.

Dossey02 on help? grad school after work experience?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:44:26 +0000

Don't go back to school. Get a job, figure out what you like about your field and what you don't.

I graduated from college with a BA in History. Took a year, worked in a restaurant, worked on a political campaign, then went to grad school. I really needed the time off between the two and it showed: I had a 3.75 GPA in grad school vs. a much lower one in undergrad.

Out of grad school I took a job out of my field, but with great earning potential. I decided I didn't care about history or my 6 years of undergrad/grad work, all I wanted was a large paycheck. 5 months later I quit my job, took a position actually using my degree with far less earning potential. Now, it's been almost 7 years since I started that job. I've moved up through the department, have a nice 401k match, have a bit of advancement opportunity. I've also been able to transition to a home based employee, something I couldn't have done in my first job, and my company is now paying me to go back to grad school to focus on organizational leadership.

My advice to everyone is get a job. It doesn't matter if it sucks, if the pay is horrible, if you hate it. Just get some experience. Determine if you really need that extra degree, those extra classes, etc. before you commit and spend your money. In a year or two, the universities will be just as happy to take your money, if that's the road you decide to go down.