Comments on: Five situations when you shouldn't go to graduate school http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:12:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Jenna http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-222280 Jenna Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:38:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-222280 Yes, go home after a long day of work when you're tired and cranky and put in a half-hearted hour or two before you zonk out. There's a life devoted to learning! Some people think there's actually such a thing as an education -- you know, what might happen if one works hard under the guidance of people hopefully more capable than oneself to give serious thought to matters of real importance in life, matters that most people unfortunately are compelled to neglect in the bustle and tedium of every day necessity. Such an opportunity is a real blessing, and I feel sorry for the author of this article, who clearly has no conception of it. Yes, go home after a long day of work when you're tired and cranky and put in a half-hearted hour or two before you zonk out. There's a life devoted to learning!

Some people think there's actually such a thing as an education — you know, what might happen if one works hard under the guidance of people hopefully more capable than oneself to give serious thought to matters of real importance in life, matters that most people unfortunately are compelled to neglect in the bustle and tedium of every day necessity. Such an opportunity is a real blessing, and I feel sorry for the author of this article, who clearly has no conception of it.

]]> By: Valerie http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-2/#comment-217412 Valerie Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:28:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-217412 There are many reasons I got my MBA. Some of them make it a good decision and some of them make it a bad one. Like most choices in life, nothing is black and white. I learned a lot from my MBA, both inside and outside of class, just by making that decision. I will also point out that while you can learn from reading, I've learned far more from class interaction and discussion than I did from straight reading a book. Night class is always an option, but I wanted something more in-depth and my current job left me in too much of a coma to be any use after the fact. It's not the right choice for everyone and I can't say it's was completely the right choice for me either; but you learn from your decisions so right or wrong, I don't regret the decision. There are many reasons I got my MBA. Some of them make it a good decision and some of them make it a bad one. Like most choices in life, nothing is black and white. I learned a lot from my MBA, both inside and outside of class, just by making that decision.

I will also point out that while you can learn from reading, I've learned far more from class interaction and discussion than I did from straight reading a book. Night class is always an option, but I wanted something more in-depth and my current job left me in too much of a coma to be any use after the fact. It's not the right choice for everyone and I can't say it's was completely the right choice for me either; but you learn from your decisions so right or wrong, I don't regret the decision.

]]> By: kevinbrown http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-2/#comment-204637 kevinbrown Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:21:19 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-204637 I believe college education is the best possible way to insure a higher earning power after graduation. There are a number of different majors to choose from, all paying differently but on the whole, a college graduate will earn more money than those who do not have a college education or degree. In fact, in keeping with the increase in demand by mature students, colleges are offering more options for students who wish to return to their education even after they have entered the work force. People now realize that it is never too late to increase your earning potential or improve your chances of being promoted by seeking a higher education. Also, with many colleges offering accelerated degree programs nowadays, more and more people who had been taking break from their jobs or switching careers are returning to complete their education that was left unfinished. One such college which I know of is CollegeAmerica. Check out their <a href="http://www.collegeamerica.edu" rel="nofollow">degree programs</a> yourself. I believe college education is the best possible way to insure a higher earning power after graduation. There are a number of different majors to choose from, all paying differently but on the whole, a college graduate will earn more money than those who do not have a college education or degree. In fact, in keeping with the increase in demand by mature students, colleges are offering more options for students who wish to return to their education even after they have entered the work force. People now realize that it is never too late to increase your earning potential or improve your chances of being promoted by seeking a higher education. Also, with many colleges offering accelerated degree programs nowadays, more and more people who had been taking break from their jobs or switching careers are returning to complete their education that was left unfinished. One such college which I know of is CollegeAmerica. Check out their degree programs yourself.

]]> By: Career Advice: Dan Schwabel vs Penelope Trunk | Viralogy Blog http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-2/#comment-187023 Career Advice: Dan Schwabel vs Penelope Trunk | Viralogy Blog Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:27:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-187023 [...] ABSOLUTELY sure why you want it. Besides saying that graduate school is outdated, she states that advanced degrees in the Humanities are worthless, MBAs are only useful if you get in early, and that it is “not a way to play it safe, but it’s [...] [...] ABSOLUTELY sure why you want it. Besides saying that graduate school is outdated, she states that advanced degrees in the Humanities are worthless, MBAs are only useful if you get in early, and that it is “not a way to play it safe, but it’s [...]

]]> By: Why I said ‘No’ to grad school – for now « internSHARE Blog http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-184870 Why I said ‘No’ to grad school – for now « internSHARE Blog Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:39:26 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-184870 [...] Luckily, I was aware enough of my own desires that I was able to succinctly state that grad school was not the right option for me. [...] [...] Luckily, I was aware enough of my own desires that I was able to succinctly state that grad school was not the right option for me. [...]

]]> By: Why I said ‘No’ to grad school – for now | TalentEgg Career Incubator http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-184864 Why I said ‘No’ to grad school – for now | TalentEgg Career Incubator Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:45:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-184864 [...] Luckily, I was aware enough of my own desires that I was able to succinctly state that grad school was not the right option for me. [...] [...] Luckily, I was aware enough of my own desires that I was able to succinctly state that grad school was not the right option for me. [...]

]]> By: Charles http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-182366 Charles Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:09:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-182366 My experience with MBAs is that they like to screw their vendors. I wonder what they teach in these business schools. When I get a project from a Wharton grad like Donald Trump or Vernon Hill, two famous for amassing wealth on the backs of others, I automatically add 30% to the job because I know a snake will jump out of a hole on the back end. The Donald just declared bankruptcy for the third time- How's that for "The art of the STEAL". Maybe 50% is a good mark-up for these folks!! My experience with MBAs is that they like to screw their vendors. I wonder what they teach in these business schools. When I get a project from a Wharton grad like Donald Trump or Vernon Hill, two famous for amassing wealth on the backs of others, I automatically add 30% to the job because I know a snake will jump out of a hole on the back end. The Donald just declared bankruptcy for the third time- How's that for "The art of the STEAL".
Maybe 50% is a good mark-up for these folks!!

]]> By: Jeromy Timmer http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-176592 Jeromy Timmer Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:29:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-176592 Penelope, You give MBA's too much credit when you say, "Sure, you need an MBA to run a Fortune 500 company." BusinessWeek surveyed the top five execs at each of the S&P 100 companies and found that only one in three had an MBA. So two thirds of the top executives running the 100 largest companies in the S&P got where they are without an MBA. Here is the link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_12/b3976089.htm Penelope,

You give MBA's too much credit when you say, "Sure, you need an MBA to run a Fortune 500 company." BusinessWeek surveyed the top five execs at each of the S&P 100 companies and found that only one in three had an MBA. So two thirds of the top executives running the 100 largest companies in the S&P got where they are without an MBA.

Here is the link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_12/b3976089.htm

]]> By: Steve http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-153286 Steve Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:24:01 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-153286 Here's a counter point to Penelope Trunk to list reasons to actually go to graduate school. http://www.graduatetestscores.com/essay.php?eid=1 Here's a counter point to Penelope Trunk to list reasons to actually go to graduate school.

http://www.graduatetestscores.com/essay.php?eid=1

]]> By: A Baker http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/comment-page-1/#comment-148234 A Baker Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:14:41 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/15/five-situations-when-you-shouldnt-go-to-graduate-school/#comment-148234 I'm guessing that my grandpa went through a similar thought process when he decided to leave school in the 8th grade. "Who they heck needs those 4 extra years, it's not like I'm going to ever need trig or understand comparative govt's, or dissect a frog." What's with all the hate for MBA's? I think it mostly comes from people who either didn't get into a program, or who got into one but didn't do anything with their opportunity once there. Look at all the people in charge of companies in this country - far more of them have MBA's than not. In addition, the starting salary's out of top 50 programs are far more than what people earn going in. Money always talks, and MBA's easily pay for themselves in the long-run, even if it is for a 'glorified rolodex.' I'm guessing that my grandpa went through a similar thought process when he decided to leave school in the 8th grade. "Who they heck needs those 4 extra years, it's not like I'm going to ever need trig or understand comparative govt's, or dissect a frog."

What's with all the hate for MBA's? I think it mostly comes from people who either didn't get into a program, or who got into one but didn't do anything with their opportunity once there. Look at all the people in charge of companies in this country – far more of them have MBA's than not. In addition, the starting salary's out of top 50 programs are far more than what people earn going in. Money always talks, and MBA's easily pay for themselves in the long-run, even if it is for a 'glorified rolodex.'

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