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Is Graduate School Worth It?

4/29/2017

9 Comments

 
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Dear First Gen,

There is lots of reading in college and continues to be even more voluminous in graduate school.

​The final year of college was an interesting time for me. I was a pre-med student, but I was not headed to medical school. I suddenly found myself wondering, “Where do I go? What do I do now? Should I find a job or attend a graduate program?”

During winter break, I began to map out my next steps. I spoke with my mother about my options since I was not going to be a medical student the following year. She could not give me an answer during our conversation, but reassured me that an opportunity would present itself.

I was unaware at that time that she planned to do some research on my behalf, and she later shared what she found. She came across several master’s programs that created a path to help me enter medical school, as well as several policy programs. She assisted in the only way she knew to help relieve my feelings of despair.

After I reviewed the list of programs she had found, I applied to several and visited their campuses during orientation. I sat down with my mother again and told her about my likes and dislikes for each of the programs. She primarily liked Georgetown University’s M.S. in Biomedical Policy & Advocacy Program because it was close to home, while I liked the courses and the fact that it was a one-year program. This program matched my interests in policy and the sciences.

I was impressed that my mother picked this program, and proud of her for having listened to me for several years and researching programs that would enhance my qualifications and pique my intellectual curiosity.

Prior to graduating from college in 2007, I received an acceptance letter for the Georgetown program and was beyond ecstatic. This was the bridge I needed to connect me to public policy while enhancing my passion for the sciences.

During the program, I developed my writing skills for a non-scientific community, deepened my understanding of communications of emergency situations and emerging public health issues, and learned how science could revitalize the U.S. economy.

When I was at that crossroads my senior year, my parents did not know how to advise me. But my mother knew she had a resource…the internet! She sat at the home computer until she found results that might work as a “filler” before I went on to medical school. My plans for medical school ultimately changed, but my graduate education was a springboard for the doctorate program I chose.

In graduate school, I learned two main lessons:
  1. You can connect to the next phase in your life or transition into a new industry by studying history, terminology, and trends. I made sure to look into new perspectives on existing knowledge and explored new information on the industry I plan to join.
  2. It's important to build the necessary networks to obtain a job in the field. I did this by shadowing professionals, securing internships, and attending workshops and events. I also enrolled in courses where adjunct professors worked in the field, and engaged with classmates that sought the same path so we could exchange information.

These steps helped me to interact with my peers who were uncertain about the opportunities beyond an undergraduate education by linking up with professionals that sought to help us rise up or provide insight on how we could maximize our master’s degree to enter different positions.

Tell me: Which program are you considering and why haven’t you said yes?

Fellow Riser,

​Irnande


***Disclaimer: 2017. All rights reserved. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. No reproduction of any content on the website without the express permission of the author. The text, pictures and videos are the sole property of FirstGenRise. ​​​

9 Comments
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5/15/2017 02:00:13 am

The two mien lesson are very important thing :)

Reply
K.P @ Hungry Being link
5/15/2017 11:32:42 pm

My undergrad was Supply Chain so the upside of and MBA is super high. Currently I'm shying away from it, but I want to see how long I grind it our in corporate America before taking the leap. The value is only there if it will be utilized.

Reply
Irnande
5/20/2017 07:15:56 am

I agree that it is important to look and evaluate the reputation of the graduate program before you decide to invest time and money. I am not sure how long you have been thinking about it, but be mindful of the number years (and events) that will past and influence your decision. Wish you all the best!

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2/7/2018 03:02:43 am

Just wish to mention your article is astounding. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and that i will assume you're AN professional on this field. Well along with your permission permit ME to grab your rss feed to stay up thus far with incoming post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the fabulous work.

Reply
Irnande
2/9/2018 07:10:02 am

Hi, thank you. You should be able to follow along with the RSS feed. Glad you want to be notified of new posts. Also, another way to stay informed is to sign up for my email list. My subscribers get additional information than what is on the blog.

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2/27/2018 12:42:22 am

if you ask my point of view I will say that it is worth it some how and some how you nailed it in your own way and then blaming the side too.

Reply
http://www.sopwritingservices.net/our-services/help-with-statement-of-purpose-scholarship/ link
3/4/2018 05:57:29 am

Yes! all the graduate schools are have a worth of their degree. If they have no worth then that time they are not able to understand the way in which they learn about the essay writing. Which means that this is may be heaving some difficulties to complete this degree.

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3/5/2018 12:56:59 am

In this blog our idea of learning would be transaction method. So this idea would be an amazing idea like ideas. This is really a creative and productive blog for all the readers.

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https://www.phdresearchproposal.org/nursing-research-proposal-topics/ link
3/20/2018 03:18:41 am

this is really informative resorch: Georgetown University’s M.S. in Biomedical Policy & Advocacy Program. thanks for share this.

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    First-generation law school graduate licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland who aspired to work for a Senator and succeeded with my unique family background. Rising and living beyond wildest imagination.

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