Comments on: Grad School 101: The Truth About the Top Six Grad School Myths

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:04:48 +0000

Very informative. I am currently pursuing a BS in Mathematics, minor in Environmental science, with goal of applying it to a mechanical/environmental engineering grad school – I’m probably going to have to take extra engineering classes before my formal admission into one of these schools – based on the fact that my current school does not offer engineering classes, but does require a senior research project applying my learned math. My other choice would be to continue my education in a MS in MAthematics program and apply my research there to mechanical engineering mathematics. I’m wondering, based on my goal to be a M.E. (hopefully specializing in geothermal and other alternative energy)would this route be viable? It seems to me like it would be, and it also seems that “what you put into it is what you get” idea really seems to shine with this approach. Would grad school in Math really allow me to apply my research in this way? and would employers hire me based on my MS certificate, or more based on what I did during the process of acquiring it? To me it seems that the big part of grad school is the experience of gaining knowledge necessary to specialize in a given field, am I wrong? I mean, who goes to grad school just to get the certificate (unlike a 4 year, where students seem like they just want that “piece of paper” so they can get out)? I think that work experience is everything – but after working as a commercial fisherman for 6 years, gaining an enormous amount of knowledge on how things work, how to fix them, general problem solving and a number of other things related to on-the-water experience that can be applied to any job (and most of my employers have recognized this), I was discouraged when I tried to apply to a local refinery as an operator – passed all of their tests with high marks (they test mostly for stress handling, intermediate math, general problem solving, multitasking)- they didn’t end up hiring me, I think mostly because I only had some college experience and no four-year degree. What can you make of this – and do you think that my head is in the right place? thanks so much

By: needa advice

needa advice — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:18:21 +0000

This website was informative. Heres my situation. I am graduating with an education degree. While pursuing my degree, I realized that I have no desire to teach, be in the classroom, or deal with the world of education at all. I have found interest in marketing. Although I have no prior experience, there are several marketing firms that will hire me because they will train me. I want to get my Masters for the sole purpose of recieving more money on the job. I am terrible in math and buisness therefore my plan is to continue with education (I know I can pass the classes). The problem is, I am not sure that if I take my new Masters degree to my marketing firm, they will honor it. After reading your website, I am unsure of what to do. I do not want to waste my time and energy recieving this degree if my job will not honor it because it is not related to marketing. On the positive side, I will have had several years of on the job experience by the time I graduate.I have already applied to a school and I am sure to be accepted. Would it be smart to continue with school?

By: gradschoolsurvival

gradschoolsurvival — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:29:13 +0000

Finally someone is saying the things that nobody wants to hear and most people want to ignore. Two things affect the graduate experience. One, the reason you are there and two, “you get out what you put in”. Number one is a strong correlate to number two.