masters Archives - News and Views: The Gradschoolmatch Blog

Fordham University’s New Masters of Public Media Program

In our recent article on Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, we highlighted 18 GSAS programs actively recruiting students on our platform.

In Fall 2016, Fordham University is introducing it’s newest graduate program, a Master’s Degree in Public Media.

Learn more about this exciting new graduate program, and how you can get a jump-start on applying for acceptance into the inaugural class of 2017.

What is the new Masters in Public Media at Fordham?

The M.A. in Public Media is a one-year professional master’s degree in collaboration with Fordham’s award-winning radio station WFUV, with the cooperation of WNET, New York’s public media network, designed to advance a new generation of multi-platform communication professionals. Students can choose between two tracks:

Multi-platform journalism, including audio, video, and interactive web content
Strategic communication for the nonprofit sector, including social media marketing, public relations, corporate under-writing, and development.

What makes this program so exciting for students interested in this field?

The MA in Public Media was created to help prepare students to tell stories through a variety of different media platforms. It is more than public broadcasting; this program engages students within the realms of journalism and strategic communication to tell stories for the public good. Public Media is focused on impact through social change and civic engagement. That impact correlates with what happens after a story is shared –centered around follow up and engagement with the audience.

In a crazy, fast-paced world, students can take a year off to study, contemplate, and disseminate what their role is in media in the 21^st century. It is not about being the first to get to the story, but being the best at covering a story responsibly, morally, and ethically.

What will the program curriculum look like?

The MA in Public Media’s curriculum combines theory and practice – students will have the tools to understand and contextualize the profession as well as the practical tools to enact core principles. Courses will be taught by a balance of scholars and practitioners from Fordham’s Communication and Media Studies Department, WFUV and WNET.

The curriculum is divided into six parts:

Two practical multimedia 10-day intensive courses
Two core courses on public media and strategic communication
Two required fundamentals courses, taken in the fall semester
Two specialized, practical courses in either the journalism concentration or the strategic communication concentration (spring semester)
Two elective courses or internships, one per fall and one per spring semester
A special master’s project

What types of career opportunities will students be exposed to in the program?

Students in both specialization tracks will have the opportunity to work closely with WFUV, WNET and other civic organizations to gain hands-on experience inside and outside the classroom. Whether pursuing careers in established media operations, social entrepreneurial start-ups, or in outreach, marketing, and development, the MA in Public Media is designed to produce a new type of professional who is ethically educated, and both creatively and practically equipped to advance their missions. Also to further assist in preparing students, every student will be assigned a Fordham Career Services counselor to help identify and achieve professional goals throughout the year.

What does the path to application look like, and what are some of the program requirements?

The GRE exam is required for those wanting to be considered for financial aid
The successful candidate for admission should have a 3.0 GPA or better
Written personal statement
Official college transcript
Three letters of recommendation (either academic, professional, or a mix of both)
Non-native English speaking applications will be required to submit TOEFEL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) results, issued within the past two years. We will expect our most competitive applicants to have scores above 100 on the TOEFL and 7.5 or above on the IELTS
A maximum of three work samples may be submitted electronically. These may take the form of written work (either analytical or journalistic), the articulation of internship experience(s), or some type of digital production (e.g., a website, short film, or video, piece of multimedia journalism, audio piece or podcast, a data visualization or motion graphic)

Highly qualified applicants may qualify for partial scholarships of $10,000 and paid internships at WFUV. All applicants are automatically considered for this funding and will be notified if they have been awarded merit funding.

Fordham’s new Public Media master’s program will welcome its first cohort in Fall 2016.

Applications must be submitted online: https://gradadmissions.fordham.edu/apply/

Bookmark the Public Media program on Gradschoolmatch, where you can stay in touch with Fordham GSAS for more updates.

You can also contact Jackie Reich, Chair and Graduate Director, directly at jreich8@fordham.edu.

Program Spotlight: FSU College of Education

Established in 1905, the College of Education at Florida State University is part of the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida.

With 10 programs on Gradschoolmatch, ranging from a nationally acclaimed Sport Management program to online degrees for current educators, the College of Education provides a variety of unique opportunities for prospective students.

Learn more about the student-focused approach at the FSU College of Education from Assistant Director, Jennie Harrison.

GSM: What does your role look like within FSU’s College of Education?

Jennie: I oversee the Office of Communications and Recruitment in the FSU College of Education. As the “face” of the College, my office serves as the portal for information and expertise sought by the media, for faculty, staff, and students wishing to publicize their accomplishments, and for anyone seeking the latest College of Education news.

We also aim to recruit the best and brightest students to both our undergraduate and graduate programs. We have been experiencing a decline in enrollment in many of our programs due to economic conditions, and are working to reverse this trend.

GSM: What tools do you typically utilize to recruit students?

Jennie: We utilize social media quite a lot—we have 7 different platforms that we maintain, which you can find via our website. We also regularly attend graduate recruitment fairs both on campus and at other institutions, as well as professional organizations’ recruitment events, such as Educators Rising and Florida Future Educators of America.

GSM: How useful is Gradschoolmatch to you and your program as a recruiting tool?

Jennie: So far, Gradschoolmatch has proven to be a great way to reach students we wouldn’t normally be able to. It provides us with the opportunity to connect with students all over the country from our desks in Tallahassee. By being able to see a snapshot of his/her interests and background, we are able to tell fairly quickly if a student would be a good fit for our programs. This type of information is much more difficult and time-consuming to obtain through other mediums we’ve traditionally used, such as e-mail and recruitment fairs, so we see a lot of value from using the platform.

GSM: The College of Education recently launched a new website. How has that aided in recruiting efforts?

Jennie: We have been receiving an increased number of e-mails and inquiries since we launched this summer. As a result of our redesign, contact information and content are now more streamlined and accessible. We’re excited about the new site launch, and think it will be a huge help in our ongoing recruitment effort.

GSM: What are some of the unique strengths of programs in the FSU College of Education?

Jennie: We offer a number of graduate programs online that accommodate working professionals. Those programs, which can be found on Gradschoolmatch, include:

Curriculum & Instruction (MS)
Educational Leadership/Administration (MS, EdS, and EdD)
English Education (MS—within the online C&I program)
Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies (MS)
Learning and Cognition (MS)
Special Education (MS—within the online C&I program)

Housed in a newly renovated building, we offer the latest technology and multimedia devices to enhance teaching and learning. Because of our location in Tallahassee, College of Education students and alumni have access to career opportunities not found anywhere else in the state; our students and alumni play an integral part in shaping Florida’s educational system and legislation. Students in our teacher education programs are able to get experience in a variety of classrooms via field experience and internships in school districts all over the state.

A research showcase held at the FSU College of Education for PK-12 education research

GSM: One of your newest programs, an online master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, is launching this fall. What does that program look like?

Jennie: The online master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) is designed for current educators who are looking to improve their instructional effectiveness and become teacher leaders. Online core courses are designed to accommodate teachers’ varied work schedules. The following majors are available within the program:

Elementary Education
English Education
Foreign and Second Language Education
Mathematics Education
Reading Education/Language Arts
Science Education
Social Studies Education
Special Education

The program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate coursework (11 courses) that can be completed on a part-time basis in approximately 2 years. Students can tailor their coursework to accommodate their interests and areas of focus. Aside from the 5-6 required core classes, the remainder of the program of study will be determined by the student and his/her faculty advisor from the major area of study.

GSM: What are some typical career paths for students following graduation, and what types of professional development resources are available to prepare them for those roles?

Jennie: Career paths generally depend on the major. For the most part, students graduating from School of Teacher Education programs go into the classroom, though some work in school district offices or other education-related settings. Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies grads work in a wide variety of settings, including business and industry, military, HR, education, and more. Sport Management grads generally pursue careers in the sports industry, such as event management or sports marketing. Of course, many students in doctoral programs continue their paths in academia as professors.

Sport Management students visiting American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat, during a Sports Management Student Association networking trip — Sport Management students visiting American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat, during a Sport Management Student Association networking trip

GSM: What is some advice you would give to prospective FSU College of Education graduate students?

Jennie: If you’re interested in our programs, reach out to us! We’re happy to help answer questions and provide you with as much information as we can. Most everything a prospective student is looking for can be found on our website, so that’s the best place to start.

We also encourage students to connect with us on social media. It’s a great way to keep up with announcements, events, and other information about the College.

The best advice comes from fellow students, though. Prospective students will find some interesting stories and testimonials of current and former COE students on our website.

GSM: What does the path to application look like for prospective FSU College of Education students? Where is the best place for them to get more information?

Jennie: Admissions and application information can be found on our website. Each program’s page has specific information related to their admission requirements and application deadlines. A full list of our graduate programs can be found at our website. We’re also happy to help answer any questions that may arise. Our email address is education.communications@fsu.edu.

UA Masters Students Compete in Google Online Marketing Challenge

This Spring, Gradschoolmatch collaborated with Masters of Marketing students at the University of Alabama to compete in the Google Online Marketing Challenge.

The Google Online Marketing Challenge (GOMC) allows students at both the undergraduate and graduate level to work on a Google AdWords campaign for a live client. Over the past 8 years, over 100,000 students have competed in the GOMC to execute online marketing campaigns for clients around the world.

Each team competing in the GOMC is allocated a $250 budget to spend on their Google AdWords campaign over a span of 3 weeks. Teams are required to submit documentation throughout the challenge, including specific details on how they ran their campaign using keywords and ads to drive results for their client. At the end of the challenge, the top team globally, as well as 4 regional teams, are invited to Google Headquarters to meet with Googlers from the AdWords and Marketing teams.

UA Masters students listening to an AdWords presentation by local company Randall-Reilly — UA Masters students listening to an AdWords presentation by PPC experts from Tuscaloosa-based Randall-Reilly

Gradschoolmatch connected with the University of Alabama Masters of Marketing program through Susan Fant, Instructor of Digital Marketing and Social Media. Each semester in her Advanced Digital and Social Media Marketing course, Professor Fant tasks Masters students with working with a client to complete the GOMC and gain experience using Google AdWords.

The Gradschoolmatch GOMC team included Masters students Amber Bara, Quintin Howze, Raphaela Petermann, Shweta Gamble, and Siddik Bozkurt. Collectively, the team has amassed over 40 years of diverse prior experience, ranging from brand management to marketing research, contributing to the overall success of their GOMC campaign.

After working with Brian and TJ at Gradschoolmatch on the challenge, the team finished with a Strong designation, ranking them amongst the top 10% of over 1,500 competitors internationally.

google online marketing challenge — Gradschoolmatch GOMC team members on the quad at the University of Alabama

Amber Bara, team lead for the Gradschoolmatch GOMC team, had a lot of great feedback on working with Gradschoolmatch on the challenge.

“We could not have found a better client. Brian and TJ were quick to answer emails and were always happy to offer advice,” Amber said. “Gradschoolmatch has an awesome offering, for both potential students and universities, so we knew our efforts could really make an impact across the board and that was very exciting.”

Thanks to Professor Susan Fant, as well as the 5 members of the Gradschoolmatch Google Online Marketing Challenge Team, for their contributions!

Click here for a list of all the 2015 Google Online Marketing Challenge winners, as well as more information on the GOMC.

Program Spotlight: IE Business School

IE Business School, one of 6 colleges at IE University in Madrid, Spain, is ranked as one of the world’s top business schools. Offering a variety of renowned graduate programs, IE’s Business School awards degrees across business disciplines, including their wildly successful International and Global MBA programs.

A truly global college, IE Business School has 27 international offices, as well as partnerships with over 100 universities worldwide. With a student-centric focus, IE Business School provides a world-class education while providing a strong sense of inclusion and community.

Read our discussion with Jessica Yevics, International Development Manager for IE Business School, to learn more about IE’s International and Global MBA programs on Gradschoolmatch.com.

GSM: Describe your role, and how IE actively recruits throughout the US.

Jessica: As part of IE’s International Development team here in North America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, our main objective is to assist the Admissions Department in Madrid by actively recruiting the top talent for our different Masters programs. We also provide local support and guidance to our applicants, students and Alumni throughout the region. Our three regional offices located in New York, Miami and Los Angeles are part of a worldwide network of 27 offices, which together help to recruit and select the best students across the globe and ultimately create a truly international institution.

To recruit the best prospective students for IE, we use various channels, including local fairs and events, virtual sessions, webinars and partnerships and activities with top US Companies and Universities.

GSM: How useful is Gradschoolmatch to you and your programs as a recruiting tool?

Jessica: While we have only joined Gradschoolmatch this past year, it has been proving to be a useful tool for us to connect with prospective students and guide them throughout the information gathering phase of their graduate school search. We have received many inquiries from qualified candidates since we have started using the platform, and we hope that it will become even more useful for prospective students to learn about IE and for our team to identify top candidates.

GSM: What makes the International MBA Program at IE unique?

Jessica: The diversity of the students and optimization of the accelerated program are two of the most defining characteristics of the International MBA program. The program is made up of roughly 90% international students during any given intake, and these individuals not only come from different geographical locations, but also represent many different sectors, academic backgrounds, and functional roles. We believe that this dynamic simulates a real world international workplace which helps our students to prepare themselves for an international career, whether in a large multinational corporation, a local company looking to expand, or their own entrepreneurial endeavour.

The personalization of the program is something that really shows IE’s dedication to creating a one-of-a-kind experience for each student. It is the only program of its kind that allows students to choose so many options during an accelerated one-year program. Our students can dedicate their time working on their business plan in the Venture Lab, participate in a social impact project, intern with a top company, study abroad, or take advantage of a wide variety of electives.

The latest class of IE's International MBA program — The latest class of IE’s International MBA program

GSM: In your opinion, why was the Global MBA voted the #1 online MBA program in the world?

Jessica: IE’s Global MBA program has always been at the forefront of online learning. There are many things that set it apart from other similar programs, including the dynamic and accelerated format. Students complete the program in just 15 months, and are completely immersed in the learning experience throughout the entire duration of the program through on-going discussion, collaborative projects and group work, as well as the interactive virtual class sessions and face-to-face periods in Madrid.

The flexibility of the program is also a large draw to this program. While students are engaged on a daily basis throughout the course of the program, they can do so from anywhere in the world, making the program an ideal option for working professionals. The program provides students with a truly global vision of business, preparing them for situations they may encounter in their current and future roles.

GSM: Aside from the well-known MBA and Management programs, what other Master’s programs does IE offer for young professionals looking to advance their career in a specific area?

Jessica: IE has a variety of specialized master’s programs that will help students get the knowledge and industry specific training to start or advance a career in an up and coming field. As an innovative institution that always reflects on market, industry and student needs, we offer programs such as the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data, Master in Market Research and Consumer Behavior, Master in Digital and Visual Media, Master in Corporate Communication, Master in International Relations and Master in Finance. All of these programs take a practical approach into the classroom and the students learn the ins and outs of the field by working with top companies and professors.

GSM: What makes Madrid a great place to live, work, and study?

Jessica: Madrid is the ideal location for pursuing a graduate degree in Europe. It is the epicentre of culture, business and politics in Spain and home to the country’s largest stock exchange, as well as some of the most important national and international companies. Madrid offers the perfect opportunity to study and conduct international business.

As all of our Alumni can proudly tell you, this city also has a lot to offer on a social and cultural level. Madrid is home to three world famous art museums, and numerous smaller museums and galleries. Just a stroll through the city can become a lesson in Spanish Architecture by admiring the buildings, statues and plazas. Because of the excellent climate, you’ll find that people spend most of their time outside, where you can often find them socializing or even conducting business at one of the countless terrazas (outdoor cafés).

As a former expat living in Spain, I can honestly say that the country offers something for everyone and IE gives students the perfect opportunity to study at a world renowned institution with the colorful backdrop of this vibrant city.

To see a snapshot of life at IE Business School, check out the video below.

Interested in graduate school at IE? Bookmark their Global MBA and International MBA programs on Gradschoolmatch.com

For more information on IE Business School, visit their website here.

You can also connect with IE Business School on social media via their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Fordham University Graduate Programs Spotlight

Fordham University is a private research university that’s known for outstanding graduate programs across multiple schools, from business to arts and sciences.

With around 6,500 postgraduates spread across three New York campuses, Fordham’s graduate schools provide students with global opportunities, in addition to the best of the largest city in the United States.

Gradschoolmatch recently spoke with Lauren Grizzaffi, Recruiting and Marketing Specialist for Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Here’s an inside look at how Fordham uses Gradschoolmatch to recruit the best and brightest students for almost 20 different graduate programs on Gradschoolmatch.com.

GSM: What are some of your overall goals as the Recruiting and Marketing Specialist for Graduate Programs in Arts and Sciences at Fordham?

Lauren: Our main goal is to strengthen and promote new and existing Master’s programs within Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). We have been working to recover from a downturn in graduate enrollment, and are promoting the many benefits throughout our various Master’s degrees to bring recognition to the graduate programs within Fordham University.

GSM: What graduate programs are Fordham actively recruiting for using Gradschoolmatch.com?

Lauren: We currently have 18 GSAS programs on the site. Here’s a look at a few of the diverse programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences that are actively recruiting students on Gradschoolmatch.com.

Masters in Applied Psychological Methods

The Applied Psychological Methods Master’s Program explores how psychological theories and research can generate solutions to real world problems, with two available specialized tracks.

Masters in Ethics and Society

This cross-disciplinary program provides a foundation in the moral frameworks of philosophy, theology, psychology, bioethics, and social justice and is further tailored to your individual interests and career goals with electives.

Masters in Urban Studies

The Urban Studies Master’s Program offers a humanistic, interdisciplinary study of the city and urban society. Students tackle complex issues confronting urban policy makers, including urban communities, economic development, inequality and social justice, and environment and sustainability.

Sign up on Gradschoolmatch to see all of Fordham’s graduate programs here.

GSM: What are some of the opportunities that Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provides for students to be successful?

Lauren: This past year, Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences established a new professional development initiative, GSAS Futures, to provide the support, resources and training opportunities to prepare our students for innovative careers after graduate school. Our mission is to ensure that graduate students possess the skills and knowledge that will allow them to leverage their vocational training and academic experience in a professional setting.

We’ve hosted a CV/resume workshop, an alumni panel, and a seminar on how to apply for external grants and fellowships.

fordham university gsas — An expert panel on grant writing hosting by GSAS Futures

GSM: Why is Fordham a great place to go to graduate school?

Lauren: We participate fully in the life of New York City, fostering partnerships for scholarship and research with other institutions in the city. Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is a great place to earn a graduate degree as it has two main campuses in New York – the majestic Rose Hill campus in the north Bronx and our Lincoln Center campus in close proximity to Columbus Circle and Central Park. With its prime location, our graduate students have the option of working or interning in the heart of New York City.

In addition, we have cultivated a variety of partnerships that have deemed very beneficial to our students, including the Bronx Science Consortium. The consortium partners with Fordham University, the New York Botanical Garden, Wildlife Conservation Society – Bronx Zoo, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Hospital.

GSAS students presenting research at the Bronx Science Consortium Poster Symposium at the Bronx Zoo

GSM: How has Gradschoolmatch been a valuable tool to engage with potential applicants and drive applicant traffic?

Lauren: Gradschoolmatch has been one of our first chances to promote all Master’s programs via the same platform at the same time. We have welcomed the opportunity to have hands-on collaboration from each department so that they can share unique program highlights with students, feature specific application requirements, and engage with potential students in a way that we have not been able to before.

For more information on Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, visit their website here.

You can also connect with Fordham GSAS on social media through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

How Valuable is Work Experience Before Grad School?

As we showed in a recent article, only 16% of graduate students immediately continue their education by enrolling in an advanced degree program straight out of their baccalaueate. Why do recent graduates shy away from a graduate education and go to work right out of school?

Many recent bachelor’s earners simply need a breather after four years of undergraduate work. Others are unsure of what path they want to take in graduate school, and aren’t willing to front the costs until more certain. A great reason for recent undergrads to delay an advanced degree is the desire to gain work experience due to the many personal and financial benefits that often result.

While work experience is not always required to apply to or succeed in postgraduate education, prospective students often underestimate how important it is when competing for increasingly more coveted seats in graduate school.

Why Does Work Experience Before Grad School Matter?

While not all master’s programs require work experience in order to be considered, it often gives candidates applying to competitive programs a serious edge.

For example, if you plan on getting your MBA, you can bank on needing work experience prior to applying. While most full-time programs prefer candidates to come in with 1-2 years of experience, students entering top-tier business schools have on average at least 3 years of work experience. At the Wharton School of Business, whose MBA program is ranked 3rd in the nation, students enter the program with a whopping 5-6 years of prior work experience.

In MBA programs, as well as many other master’s and Ph.D. programs, work experience is a differentiating factor in the admissions process. Program admissions directors use work experiences as a way to measure an applicant’s motivation for the field of study, and ensure they aren’t someone just experimenting with an idea that seems interesting.

Savvy applicants understand that program recruiters are looking for highly qualified candidates with work experience that sets them apart from the pack. Relevant work experience is also valuable to graduate programs because it adds depth and enriches the learning environment; if you don’t have any, you’re at a disadvantage because you are competing with peers who are more attractive in the admissions race.

Take it from Robert Farrington, a renowned expert on personal finance and college. His advice?

“Getting an MBA [is about] combining the degree with work experience. That’s what makes it extremely valuable. When I went to grad school, I was the youngest in my class. While this was amazing from a networking and learning perspective, I couldn’t contribute as much as others.”

Make It Count- Personal and Financial Benefits to Working Before Graduate School

It’s no secret that graduate school can be expensive. For an average 1-2 year master’s program, you’re looking to get set back between $30-40k.

Additionally, time in grad school is opportunity cost to earn a salary. In order to be able to more comfortably pay for a graduate education when the time is right, consider working for a few years to financially support yourself when you won’t have a steady income as a student.

After working and gaining experience, you’ll also be in a better position to compete for scholarships when you do apply for graduate programs.

Don’t forget- many employers will pay for a master’s degree after a certain amount of time spent with the company, especially if more schooling beefs up a skillset that will make you a better asset to the company. While you might be itching to stay in school and get your master’s, consider how great it would be to have it completely paid for by your employer just a few years down the road.

The Bottom Line of Gaining Work Experience Before Grad School

While you might not take your dream job directly following undergrad, working for a few years, being accepted to a stronger graduate program, and excelling in your graduate education can lead to more lucrative job opportunities down the road.

Remember, those who possess a master’s degree are likely to earn much more income in their lifetime than their bachelor’s degree counterparts…and those with doctorates even more. Think about what you can do with a bit of work experience and admission into a top-tier graduate program because of it!

Like this article? Sign up for Gradschoolmatch blog updates, and visit us at Gradschoolmatch.com to start matching with graduate programs for free.

The Top 5 Reasons You Should Go to Graduate School

As costs of higher education continue to rise, countless articles and opinions have surfaced discouraging the pursuit of additional degrees.

While graduate school isn’t right for everyone, there are many tangible benefits to earning a higher degree that can often outweigh associated negatives.

Making a personal and financial investment in graduate school can yield significant returns for your career and your future.

Here are our top 5 reasons to go to graduate school:

1. Graduate school provides opportunities for highly increased lifetime financial earnings and more career advancement.

In most professions, possessing a graduate degree allows for significantly higher earnings than just having a bachelor’s. In fields ranging from web design to finance, having a master’s degree can bump up salary growth from between 17-20% per year.

In some fields, those who hold a master’s degree reap even more benefit; biology and life science master’s students earn 70% more in those disciplines than those with bachelor’s degrees in the same field.

Many fields now require you to obtain a master’s degree; if not, a master’s is often highly encouraged. For example, while social work graduates with a bachelor’s degree are sometimes able to find employment, most government agencies and positions in clinical social work require a master’s degree to advance.

Even if your chosen field doesn’t require a master’s degree, the increased potential for lifetime earnings is a major incentive to pursue further education. Those holding master’s degrees will typically earn about $400,000 more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts over their lifespan.

2. Getting a graduate degree allows you to change career paths.

After a few years in the working world, many people realize that they have selected the wrong path and want to pursue a new career.

Graduate school is a great way to get the education necessary to switch career paths and gain experience in a field unrelated to your time as an undergrad.

MBAs are a particularly useful degree for those seeking to change career paths. An MBA offers students the ability to initially take a variety of courses in business before choosing a 2nd year specialization, as well as the chance to intern after the first year to gain experience and insight into their desired career path.

3. Graduate students can often receive a stipend in addition to a free education through teaching and assistantship positions.

Graduate school is expensive, but there are a lot of options to lessen the cost while still pursuing your goals and gaining valuable experience in your field.

Assistantships are programs that provide funding to students for their graduate program, while also having them work for their university in some capacity. Some assistantships even pay students on top of the cost of tuition.

Fellowships are another channel to pursue; there are a wide variety of graduate fellowships available in a multitude of disciplines that typically cover all costs associated with graduate school, ranging from tuition to housing.

4. Graduate school provides the chance to become a subject-matter expert in your chosen field.

A lot of bachelor’s degrees are very generalized; while undergraduate majors like marketing are broad and provide a solid overview of the field, a more specialized master’s degree makes you a marketable candidate with a more targeted skill set.

Gradschoolmatch has thousands of specialized graduate and doctoral programs to get connected with; you might even find speciality areas in your field or a related field that you’ve never even heard of that interests you.

5. Graduate school allows you to utilize the networks of both your professors and your peers.

When you go to graduate school, you have the opportunity to tap into the network of your professors. Whether it’s writing a letter of recommendation for a position, personally referring you to a doctorate program, or reaching out to their colleagues in industry on your behalf, your graduate school professors are a wealth of knowledge and resources.

Your peers are also a fantastic networking tool. If you have classmates that have previously been in industry, use them to learn more about job application processes and utilize their network to get introductions.

Get to know your classmates and stay in close contact after graduation; there’s a good chance one of them can use their network to help you land a job or introduce you to the right people at some point in your career.

Like this article? Sign up for Gradschoolmatch blog updates, and visit us at Gradschoolmatch.com to start matching with graduate programs for free.