Problem
Each member of a research group visited either the Virgin Islands or Hawaii...
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The United States is muddling through its worst economic times since the early1990s. Some experts say that we're in a recession. Others say we're not; that the economy is just "evening itself off." Economic experts will argue ad nauseum on the state of the economy. We're not here to provide you with an economic analysis or to make predictions, but we can tell you this?unemployment in February was at 5.5 percent, which is a pretty low figure. Last year, approximately1.4 million people lost their jobs. Even if you were one of the lucky ones that weren't affected, someone you know most likely was.
You may have noticed that job listings haven't been plentiful recently. Even if the economy starts to turn around, it may be awhile before you see a large jump in new jobs. So if you're just out of college and having trouble finding work, or if you've been laid off, or even if you're gainfully employed but looking for the next big step in your career, why not consider advancing your degree? Competition in the workforce is stiffer than ever. Why not do something to make yourself stand a little taller than the rest?
Do I Need a Graduate Degree?
Not everyone needs to continue their education beyond college. The country would be full of overqualified people, and even if the economy blooms beyond our wildest dreams, this country will never produce enough jobs that require all employees to have a graduate education. Are we sending you a mixed message here? No. We're just telling you that now is the time to think about whether or not you should take the next step in your education. To follow are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you need a graduate or professional degree.
Do Jobs In My Field Prefer a Graduate or Professional Degree?
Some fields are more obvious than others. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, then you know that four years of college won't cut it. But will that MBA make your resume shine in the business world? Will a master's in another subject push you further in your career? Talk to people who have made it in the field you're interested in and find out if a graduate degree should be on your to-do list.
Do I Really Want to Go Back to School?
Just because the opportunity is out there doesn't mean that graduate school is right for you. If you struggled with college and can't stand the idea of going back to a classroom environment, then why put yourself through graduate school? Graduate school is ten times more rigorous than college, so if you don't really want to do it, don't do it. You won't be happy, and most likely you won't do well. But if the idea of learning more and opening up the doors to more opportunity appeals to you, then go for it!
Can I Afford the Tuition?
Graduate school is expensive, for sure. But you can always find a way to pay the tuition. Numerous grants and fellowships exist for student seeking to further their education. First, check with the schools you're interested in. For those of you who don't qualify for grants or fellowships, you can always take out a loan. Next, you should check the earnings of people in your field who have a graduate degree versus those who have only an undergraduate degree. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is a good place to start. If the salary discrepancy is large, then your graduate schooling may pay for itself within a few years. Also, if you are already employed, check with your human resources department to see if your company offers tuition reimbursement. Some companies will pay for you to attend graduate school on a part-time basis, while other companies may go a step further and pay for you to take leave two years and get it done. These companies usually will ask you to sign a contract saying you'll work for them for a specific amount of years after you complete your degree.
How Do I Begin?
If you've done some reflecting on the above questions and have determined that graduate school is a good next step for you, then you should start your search immediately.
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