Comments on: What’s the right timing for graduate school? http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:11:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Don’t use grad school to break into fundraising : Fifth Quarter http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-138642 Don’t use grad school to break into fundraising : Fifth Quarter Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:50:36 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-138642 [...] Penelope Trunk has pointed out several times, grad school isn’t something 20-somethings should rush [...] […] Penelope Trunk has pointed out several times, grad school isn’t something 20-somethings should rush […]

]]> By: Jim F. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-134558 Jim F. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:21:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-134558 Hello. Pen... You make a lot of valid points about career pathways. I have similiar opinions about the different generations and their career/life expectations. Currently I am enrolled in a master graduate program at Northeastern University in Boston. After 10 years in the finance department of a large top-rated research hospital,I decided to enroll in an evening program to get a masters in Healthcare Management. Its been 16 years since my under graduate years but I needed to expand my educational horizon. I belive a masters degree can become outdated after 15 years and a person should requalify themselves within a contemporary program. Some of the managers in my office have MBAs which is a generalist degree. They wish they had specialized in something like healthcare or non-profits since they plan to have a career in the hospital administration. Thats why I picked healthcare management over a MBA. Boston has many qualified universities but Northeastern University offered an accelerated fast-track program in which each course is six weeks long instead of the usual twelve. I enjoy the quick pace because it gives quicker results. The only problem is that you have to stay focused and keep current with the homework. In my classes I noticed the differences between the 20 somethings and myself. That generation has a hard time having a conversation that last a few minutes. They rely on technology so much to stay organized and be connected that they limit themselves. It is invigorating to be among younger classmates and be able to compare myself with their strengths and skills. After completing six classes I have a 3.8 average with six more classes to go. A masters degree will definitely enhance my workplace opportunities. I encourage others to plan it out and take gradual steps. Jim in Boston Hello.

Pen…

You make a lot of valid points about career pathways.
I have similiar opinions about the different generations and their career/life expectations.

Currently I am enrolled in a master graduate program at Northeastern University in Boston. After 10 years in the finance department of a large top-rated research hospital,I decided to enroll in an evening program to get a masters in Healthcare Management. Its been 16 years since
my under graduate years but I needed to expand my educational horizon. I belive a masters degree can become outdated after 15 years and a person should requalify themselves within a contemporary program.

Some of the managers in my office have MBAs
which is a generalist degree. They wish they had specialized in something like healthcare or non-profits since they plan to have a career in the hospital administration. Thats why I picked healthcare management over a MBA.

Boston has many qualified universities but Northeastern University offered an accelerated fast-track program in which each course is six weeks long instead of the usual twelve. I enjoy the quick pace because it gives quicker results.
The only problem is that you have to stay focused and keep current with the homework.

In my classes I noticed the differences between the 20 somethings and myself. That generation has a hard time having a conversation that last a few minutes. They rely on technology so much to stay organized and be connected that they limit themselves.

It is invigorating to be among younger classmates
and be able to compare myself with their strengths and skills.
After completing six classes I have a 3.8 average with six more classes to go.

A masters degree will definitely enhance my workplace opportunities. I encourage others to plan it out and take gradual steps.

Jim in Boston

]]> By: t h rive http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-133515 t h rive Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:39:10 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-133515 Pen, I think you have the right idea overall - about how to approach an MBA, BUT YOU SEEM TO: 1. Ignore the fact that there are a broad range of grad degrees out there, even ones that are customizable. You speak of graduate school like it's MBA or nothing. 2. Try to objectify the MBA experience and choice. Though it IS good to warn those keeners thinking its the only way to go, it's most definitely subjective. Even with a job, it's still how you make it and what you make of it. That being said - I look to your posts for advice here and there. I'm in a period where I'm having to choose between diploma/technical cert...and the MA option in Eco Politics. More than anything it's the timing issue, and as well that the MA option may see me quitting my job for a year. Is it worth it? I'm still weighing the options... The tech diploma will be quicker, BUT it's small-scale work - and very site oriented. An MA will see a broader workload in the grand scheme - but it'll come with an initial paycut as I may have to leave my job to finish it in good time. Subjectivity is key. Creativity in decision-making is necessary. Pen, I think you have the right idea overall - about how to approach an MBA, BUT YOU SEEM TO:

1. Ignore the fact that there are a broad range of grad degrees out there, even ones that are customizable. You speak of graduate school like it’s MBA or nothing.

2. Try to objectify the MBA experience and choice. Though it IS good to warn those keeners thinking its the only way to go, it’s most definitely subjective. Even with a job, it’s still how you make it and what you make of it.

That being said - I look to your posts for advice here and there. I’m in a period where I’m having to choose between diploma/technical cert…and the MA option in Eco Politics. More than anything it’s the timing issue, and as well that the MA option may see me quitting my job for a year. Is it worth it? I’m still weighing the options…

The tech diploma will be quicker, BUT it’s small-scale work - and very site oriented. An MA will see a broader workload in the grand scheme - but it’ll come with an initial paycut as I may have to leave my job to finish it in good time.

Subjectivity is key. Creativity in decision-making is necessary.

]]> By: Gadfly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-133427 Gadfly Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:30:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-133427 If you're reading this column, you should also consider <a href="http://thisisgadfly.com/?p=94" rel="nofollow">this response</a>. If you’re reading this column, you should also consider this response.

]]> By: Latch http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131784 Latch Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:39:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131784 I'm interested in what you think about a master's degree in economics. I’m interested in what you think about a master’s degree in economics.

]]> By: e-Learning Pundit | Earn a master’s now or later? http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131564 e-Learning Pundit | Earn a master’s now or later? Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:31:17 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131564 [...] Penelope Trunk, career columnist for the Boston Globe and Yahoo! Finance, posed a similar question on her blog earlier this week. To illustrate a point, she places graduate degrees in four [...] […] Penelope Trunk, career columnist for the Boston Globe and Yahoo! Finance, posed a similar question on her blog earlier this week. To illustrate a point, she places graduate degrees in four […]

]]> By: Joe http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131519 Joe Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:40:16 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131519 What is the best advice for twentysomething to do about graduate school after graduation? Some graduate school required few years experience of working before applying yet it is difficult to find job those day. What is the best advice for twentysomething to do about graduate school after graduation? Some graduate school required few years experience of working before applying yet it is difficult to find job those day.

]]> By: Leslie Madsen-Brooks http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131396 Leslie Madsen-Brooks Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:08:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131396 Your advice about the job market for teaching jobs in the humanities is spot-on. That said, there are plenty of non-teaching careers in which having a humanities Ph.D. can be a benefit. Unfortunately, most humanities grad students don't hear about such positions until after they've spent years preparing themselves for faculty jobs that just don't exist. The WRK4US listserv provides excellent guidance on "alternative" careers for Ph.D.s. I can't recommend it highly enough. I have a Ph.D. in cultural studies and after a brief detour through academic technology, I now help faculty across the disciplines at an R1 university become more thoughtful about their teaching--and I get paid far better than I would if I had accepted a full-time position as a lecturer in the humanities. Having a Ph.D. in the humanities--and the experiences and skill set it engendered--was critical to me securing this terrific position and succeeding in it. Your advice about the job market for teaching jobs in the humanities is spot-on. That said, there are plenty of non-teaching careers in which having a humanities Ph.D. can be a benefit. Unfortunately, most humanities grad students don’t hear about such positions until after they’ve spent years preparing themselves for faculty jobs that just don’t exist.

The WRK4US listserv provides excellent guidance on “alternative” careers for Ph.D.s. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I have a Ph.D. in cultural studies and after a brief detour through academic technology, I now help faculty across the disciplines at an R1 university become more thoughtful about their teaching–and I get paid far better than I would if I had accepted a full-time position as a lecturer in the humanities. Having a Ph.D. in the humanities–and the experiences and skill set it engendered–was critical to me securing this terrific position and succeeding in it.

]]> By: GADFLY » Blog Archive » Boston Globe to career-minded women: Get your MBA now, so kids don’t screw up your life. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131260 GADFLY » Blog Archive » Boston Globe to career-minded women: Get your MBA now, so kids don’t screw up your life. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:50:21 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131260 [...] Globe’s tragically-named jobs columnist, Penelope Trunk, on why young women bound for B-school should get their MBA without delay: Today, most young women [...] […] Globe’s tragically-named jobs columnist, Penelope Trunk, on why young women bound for B-school should get their MBA without delay: Today, most young women […]

]]> By: Alli http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131070 Alli Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:51:10 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/23/find-the-right-timing-for-graduate-school/#comment-131070 Anyone who reads your blog is likely curious and ambitious and would be best served by putting thoughts of a JD on the back burner. Many people I run into assume I am ambitious because I became a lawyer (and became one quickly having not taken a break after undergrad). I always find this amusing because going to law school was one of the least ambitious things I have done with my career. There is a clearly defined track that leads to law school and that track does not end when you graduate. It takes you right on through the end of your career, if you let it. There is nothing wrong with that and many people have very fulfilling careers along the track, but if you're one who likes to stray from the track (as I am and as I assume you are if you are reading this blog), you will find yourself a couple years into practice wondering why you didn't get off the train about 10 stops back. That being said, if you have the spunk, you can always change the track--it's just a little more expensive post-law school than pre-. (And by "a little," I mean "a lot"). Anyone who reads your blog is likely curious and ambitious and would be best served by putting thoughts of a JD on the back burner.

Many people I run into assume I am ambitious because I became a lawyer (and became one quickly having not taken a break after undergrad). I always find this amusing because going to law school was one of the least ambitious things I have done with my career. There is a clearly defined track that leads to law school and that track does not end when you graduate. It takes you right on through the end of your career, if you let it.

There is nothing wrong with that and many people have very fulfilling careers along the track, but if you’re one who likes to stray from the track (as I am and as I assume you are if you are reading this blog), you will find yourself a couple years into practice wondering why you didn’t get off the train about 10 stops back.

That being said, if you have the spunk, you can always change the track–it’s just a little more expensive post-law school than pre-. (And by “a little,” I mean “a lot”).

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