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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Forum: Grad schools focus interests, give direction

As this year flies by, I find myself in the classic senior predicament: what am I going to do after graduation? Many seniors would be happy to pursue bachelor degrees in a plethora of majors to delay the reality that they must graduate and enter the real world. Many seniors have great dreams to do everything they wish they had done during college but didn’t. Even a few would be happy just sitting in front of a new Playstation 2. Because none of these are sound options, seniors are often faced with a tough choice – go to graduate school or enter the workforce.

With the economy booming, many students feel immediately working seems logical, as it gives them a chance to make decent money before deciding if graduate school is a necessary step. As recruiters flock to campus, students have a difficult time refusing their offers. Who would give up a starting salary of $60,000 with unbelievable benefits?

Well, I would, and here’s why. As the technological economy increases competitiveness and opportunities, education is becoming the factor that separates those who stay at starting salaries and those who climb the ladder to success. Graduate school has become the natural next step to achieve my career goals and objectives as a way to open up new paths and exciting opportunities. Although I pursued business as an undergraduate, my experience with higher education administration gave me a vision for a new journey where I can incorporate my business skills with my strong interest in education.

While I have had a variety of practical experiences, I want to learn more about the complex field of higher education. At this point, my aim is to be a college administrator. To be an administrator, whether in admissions or student affairs, a master degree, if not a Ph.D, is necessary to move up quickly. Unlike many students, I have a clear direction of where I want to be, and an education is important to that path.

Some say the longer you are out of school, the harder it is to go back. Even GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg was not able to receive his doctorate in education because a political opportunity came about that he refused to give up hindering the option of attaining this degree, although he does hold a variety of other impressive degrees. Graduate school is a bridge to the career that will not only allow me to positively affect the lives of students but also allow me to find a job I truly enjoy. Many students come out of college having little direction, and feel by pursuing a job they will be able to decide on a career track. Because I have a clear idea about the specific field I would like to pursue, going directly into the workforce impedes my career development and only delays the inevitable necessity of possessing master and doctorate degrees.

My story is not that different from most seniors at GW. Believe me, I have had just as many doubts as anyone else. However, I look at graduate school as a way to clear up the future. While in our undergraduate years, we’ve been told to sow our wild academic oats across many disciplines. Graduate education is often specialized in the departments that we are most interested in. If you spent your undergraduate years trying to focus and figure out what you were interested in while getting a taste of everything university life has to offer, then graduate school just makes sense. After all that time figuring out which subject you were most intrigued by, shouldn’t you follow up with study in that field?

As a senior, I know how scary it may seem to stare life in the face and wonder where you will go. I look at graduate school as a chance to focus my vision and start with a leg up on the competition. Ultimately, your own decision will depend on your interests, ambitions and experience. However, don’t write off continuing your education. You could be cheating yourself of one of the most important opportunities of your life.

-The writer is a senior majoring in international business and business economics and public policy.

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