Blog Post
The grad school dilemma
Many people completing their undergraduate degree reach the same crossroads: should I continue my studies already, or should I get some work experience first? If you are interested in an academic career, you might don't even need to think about it too much and continue straight with your studies. But the choice can be more complicated if you are interested in working in a particular industry.
The first thing to consider is that masters' and PhDs are meant to provide you with the theoretical concepts you will apply to your job. If you have a defined idea of what your career will look like or if you are interested in a specific sector, like medicine, you might need to continue your studies without pausing them after completing the undergraduate path. However, if you are unsure about your future job, it might be better to get some work experience first. Once you have a more precise plan in mind, you can enroll on a grad and post-grad course. One perk is that, nowadays, many universities offer accredited online programs that you can follow wherever you are without sacrificing your current position.
Another consideration is that some grad schools might admit a limited number of students, requiring you to go through a more selective admission process. If that is the case, acquiring some field experience before moving on with your studies could be advantageous. It won't only make a difference on your resume and help you stand out; it can also facilitate you during the course and boost your confidence.
Furthermore, grad schools are not free in most countries and can be pretty expensive. Therefore, working before enrolling in a master's or PhD can help you save some money to finance your studies, besides enabling the pros we highlighted above, such as acquiring real-life experience and boosting your confidence.
Finally, you should remember that each situation is different; we tried to provide some different scenarios so you can better understand what we mean by saying that. So don't get trapped with the idea that you should make certain choices because society expects you to do so. Don't forget that your circumstances are unique, so you only can understand what is best for you!
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