A degree is connected to our careers, but that’s not the only reason to pursue a degree at all. We want to extol the virtues of learning for the sake of learning, but because there is a heavy cost associated with getting your degree, it makes sense that people are stepping back to really think about whether or not they should actually take on this degree or if they should transition back to a job as soon as possible. The road ahead depends on your specific goals, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
Our official stance is this: if you want to go to graduate school, you should definitely do it. The collegiate environment is incredible in terms of networking, because everyone knows that’s what you’re there for. It’s a chance to give value and receive value in return. You’ll make new friends, expand your influences, and get to learn things that you might have to spend countless hours chasing your tail otherwise to learn. A good professor uses their experience to change and expand your world, and there are plenty of great ones out there.
But what if you’re worried about delaying your career? Is a graduate degree right for you, when the job market is so competitive? The truth of the matter is simple. If you can prove that the graduate degree is valuable to your employer, then it won’t be an issue. The worst thing that you want to do is make it look like you purposefully stayed out of the working world in order to have a “vacation” at university. That’s the wrong reason to get a degree, because it sets you up for some really lazy habits. Employers want you at the top of your game, not struggling to keep up.