Or Maybe not? Grad school and the Recession

by Megan on February 3, 2009

Yesterday I overheard a conversation between two of my hallmates (also seniors) and an applicant…

Applicant: “So it’s really hard to get a job right now, right? What are you guys going to do?”

Senior 1: “God yes. Basically, we’re trying to avoid the job market for as long as possible”

Senior 2: “We’re just going to stay in school for as long as they’ll let us.”

As I was listening to this, I was revising yet another cover letter for a job application. I have to admit their plan started to sound pretty good. Every time I look at the news, I read about yet another company laying people off. 8,000 jobs cuts have been announced as of 12PM today (reported by CNN Money). The Associated Press reports doubts on whether Obama’s stimulus package will in fact create jobs.It is certainly a terrible time to be looking for a job.

But is graduate school the answer? Not according to Penelope Trunk. Her post today advises “Don’t try to dodge the recession with grad school.” She points out that on the job learning may be just as valuable or more so than a graduate degree. Plus you’re getting paid for it. According to her, graduate school “pointlessly delays adulthood.” This seems a little harsh. Certainly graduate school is a requirement for some career choices. In any case, for those of us who were on the fence about graduate school or starting to wish we had applied, Penelope gives plenty of reasons to think twice. The only problem remaining, of course, is actually finding that job…

  • http://drivingtheroadoflife.blogspot.com/ Hardworker

    In response to the grad school idea. I went to grad school and after two years discovered that the place was not for me. After doing more thinking I realized that it was not the fact that I didn’t belong in grad school, but rather the fact that I was in the wrong grad school. A lot of grad schools are in the business of churning out ph.D students. I did not go to become a ph.D. student I went to further my career. At the end of the day I ended up with no practical knowledge. Therefore I searched for a grad school that was oriented towards working professionals. I found one that was everything I wanted and hopefully I will get accepted. So I’m not to quick to give up on grad school because I think it can definitely help in advancing your career past that ceiling. It’s just a matter of finding the grad school that will work for you. The program I’m looking into is at a very good college, but it is online. I can do the lessons part time while never leaving my house. Works much better than my last program. N E ways I hope this was helpful. I wrote more about my experiences on my blog.