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There are a lot of reasons to go to grad school: some of them good, and some of them...not so good. Ultimately, you are the only person who can arbitrate all the factors that go into deciding to pursue grad school: timing, financing, what degree, what program, etc. This page has several exercises that can help you ask the most helpful questions about if and when grad school is the right choice for you.
Vastly simplified...
If you've decided to go to grad school for any of the reasons below on the left, you might want to reconsider.
If you've decided to go to grad school for any of the reasons below on the right, you're probably ready to move forward.
Someone who has no context about you/your goals just declares you should go to grad school.
You’re scared of not being in school. (This is a legit feeling, but not a great reason to go to grad school.)
You feel like you’re just kinda supposed to...?
You can’t think of anything better to do.
It feels like everybody else is going to grad school.
Your pool of data points is too small (i.e. you asked two people and didn’t really do other research).
It’s feasible: right time, financially viable, etc.
You know what you want to do and need a degree to get there.
It will allow you to continue the intellectual and/or academic work you value.
You’re ready!
Working Backwards
Remember: grad school is not the goal. It can be a goal, but it's primarily a step towards doing the work you want to do in the world. Chronologically, grad school might come next, but in terms of logical decision making, it helps to start with the big goal: what you want to do in the world.
The Chronological Version
The Design-Logic Version
(Worksheet version of the questions below here!)
What is the work you want
to do in the world?
What is the work you want
to do in the world?
Is there a job or title that interests you?
Are you hoping to work in a specific field, industry, or discipline?
What do you like to do? How do you like to spend your day?
What are your goals and priorities, both professional and personal?
What is the topic or issue that drives you?
Where do you want to live or work? Are there locations or organizations that are appealing?
What are you really excited to explore or learn more about? Why?
What are the tools you need
to be able to do that work?
What are the tools you need
to be able to do that work?
Professional experience
Graduate/professional degree or certification
Resources/funding
Clarity
Time
Community
And... how do I get that?
Work/professional experience
Experiential learning (like internships or fellowships)
Graduate/Professional School
Doing something else for a while!
How do I figure out
what tools I need?
How do I figure out
what tools I need?
Research: you know how to do this! Think LinkedIn, scholarly articles, reliable news outlets...
Who's doing the type of work you'd like to do, and what did they need to be able to do that work?
What is their title?
What's their work history: what path did they follow (understanding that doesn't mean your path has to follow theirs!)?
What type of degree or specialization do they have, if any?
Where is the cool stuff happening?
What companies/organizations are getting industry buzz, covered in publications, making the right kind of trouble?
And don't forget your support squad!
Talk to your professors and mentors
Talk to your professors and mentors
Office hours are windows of time that are specifically set aside for professors to talk to students outside of class. You don’t have to have questions about an assignment or something class-related; you could just be curious about their area of focus or the department! Going into office hours does not mean you are struggling or somehow failing; it means you’re making the most of an incredible resource. (If you prefer not to meet in person, an email can work too.)
Examples of questions you might ask:
How did they get to where they are and the work they do?
What degree(s) do they hold?
How do you find a mentor?
What does an average day look like for them?
What do they wish they had known when they were in or just out of college?
Are there any Wellesley resources they think you should use?
Book an appointment with Career Education
Book an appointment with Career Education
Every student is matched with an ACE, who is available for conversations about your values, strengths, and interests. Your ACE will provide the mentorship, tools, connections, and space for self-assessment and reflection to identify the paths you want to pursue. Not having any idea where to start is, in fact, a great place to start!
Career Education also has industry/field specific Career Advisors, who are experts in their fields and can work with you to explore the fields you are considering:
You’re welcome to meet with any or all of the Career Advisors, regardless of your major or career interests—you might just be curious.
You can book an appointment with your ACE and/or Career Advisors through Handshake.
Finding the right program(s) and making a plan!
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