The best way to make a career change, whether it’s a move up the corporate ladder or onto a new career entirely, is to re-train and return to school for a graduate degree. In a recession, graduate school may seem like a way out of a bad job market. For others, it may feel like a necessity.
But before you choose to go to graduate school and make that career change, be sure that you have a game plan. A graduate degree in a subject you do not plan to pursue further as a career is not helpful. Likewise, a graduate degree can cost a great deal of money; it is not something to be taken lightly.
There are reasons to attend graduate school, foremost among them that you need re-training to reach the next level in your career. For example, if you work in business, and want to move to a management position, an MBA is a good choice. If you are an artist and want to be an art educator, a teaching certificate will help you immensely. At its best, a graduate degree gives you the know-how and qualifications to be a professional and expert in your field.
Before You Commit
If you are pursuing a field entirely different than one you pursued in undergraduate school, do your research before applying.
Even if you have studied this field in undergrad, it is always good to pursue more experience. Find a friend in your chosen field and ask him or her for an informational interview. These are helpful because you can ask your burning questions, such as “What’s the work environment like?,” “Are you satisfied with what you do?,” or “What should I know before I go to graduate school?”
If the informational interview goes well, ask that person if you can shadow him or her. You can learn firsthand what a day in the life is like; instead of dreaming about your ideal profession, do it.
Depending on the field, you could even pursue an internship. Whatever your age or experience, an internship in your field can be good experience. It will even look good on your graduate school application, and show the admissions office that you are serious about your path.
In some fields, like medicine, internships are hard to come by. But do not be discouraged. Special programs exist; all it takes to find them is a little creativity and research. You may not be able to work next to a surgeon, but you can find a place working alongside doctors at a public policy institute.
Whatever the field, the benefits of an internship are enormous; even after you finish graduate school you will have the necessary contacts that will help you land that first job.
Back to School
Some professional or graduate schools expect you to have a grounding in certain subjects before you apply. All expect you to have finished your bachelor’s degree.
For medical school, you will need to have completed a set of pre-med courses, including biology and chemistry. These are the basic prerequisites you must have fulfilled before you apply. Even outside of medicine, it is always good advice to take a course to refresh your knowledge base before entering graduate school. It will give you a taste of what is to come, and provide good preparation for the future.
Next, you must take graduate entrance exams. This is always a difficult step but luckily there are resources. Whether you find a course, textbooks, or practice tests, there are ways to study for these tests.
The Application
You have successfully finished the research and the tests. Now it’s time for the application. Applications usually entail a personal statement, an additional essay, and recommendations from past professors or employers.
This is the time to reach out to your professors and ask them for a reference. This should not be a simple e-mail, either. A call or a visit is more appropriate.
Make sure they know everything about what you are up to, your future plans, and your reasons to go back to grad school. Too much information is always better than too little. If the professor or employer does not seem to remember you, do not feel obligated to use his or her recommendation. A good recommender is one who knows you well. (And likes you, too!)
The essays should also be up to par. They are your opportunity to lobby the admissions committee and make sure they know you have thought through this decision. Have them proofread a couple of times by a good editor. Try to go near the word limit. Remember, this is your chance—make yourself look unique, passionate, and dedicated to this decision.
Finally
What comes next could be acceptance into your graduate school of choice--in which case, congratulations! Failure is also a possibility, one you have to prepare for. Remember, like in any other endeavor in life, you have to take that rejection in stride.
There is always time to reapply next year. There are always more ways to prove your dedication, whether more internships, education, or test preparation. There are always ways to try again.
Graduate or professional school is a good next step on your way to a career change, and, whatever people tell you, is always a good idea.
Just make sure you are focused on your studies, ready for the career ahead, and focused enough to appreciate it. Also make sure you are ready; it is quite a sacrifice, in terms of money and time. Whatever the economy’s status, graduate school has to mean more to you than simply a way out. It has to be something you are passionate about.
