s/o Is it better to work after undergrad for a few years before returning for grad school?

[Anonymous]

My dh and I have been discussing which would be better - I always thought it's smarter to get the graduate degree out of the way after college, before career, marriage, kids, etc. make returning to school much more difficult. DH says it's better to get a few years of work experience first, then return either P/T or F/T for graduate degree. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

It depends on what grad school. Most MBAs would be better used with a few years of work experience. If your kid wants to go to medical school, better to get it done straight and out of the way. Every year delayed is opportunity cost of finishing med school and earning money because the medical track is SO Long. Law school depends, either way.

[Anonymous]

Your husband is right. I worked for two years first. I was finished by 25.

[Anonymous]

Go to grad school straight off. Much harder to go back once you have a life.

[Anonymous]

I think having at least a few years of work experience is very valuable before studying for a MBA. The business world is often quite different than what you imagine when you're in college, and having real-life experience gives you a different perspective and insight. In addition, many companies have tuition reimbursement.

[Anonymous]

Top MBA programs require job experience first. Law students with some work experience are more attractive job candidates. So for those two work experience is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Agree with your husband!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dh and I have been discussing which would be better - I always thought it's smarter to get the graduate degree out of the way after college, before career, marriage, kids, etc. make returning to school much more difficult. DH says it's better to get a few years of work experience first, then return either P/T or F/T for graduate degree. Any thoughts?

Agree with your DH. It's even better if your employer pays for your graduate degree.

Pro tip: Unless it's a professional degree (Law, MBA, medicine), if you have to pay tuition for graduate school, you don't belong in graduate school.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what degree, what field, and how sure you are that you are doing it because you want to make a go of a certain career rather than just doing it out of aimless lack of knowing what you want to do with your life.

[Anonymous]

Working for a few years in between gave me a whole new perspective when I went back. After just 3-4 hours of classes, I could study for another3-4 hours before I felt like I had put in a full day. If I had studied that much in undergrad every day I would have felt totally overburdened.

[Anonymous]

Op - What is your def of "better"?

[Anonymous]

OP here; thanks for all the perspectives and thoughtful answers. PP, I don't really know what I meant by "better" - I guess I would rephrase to ask what would be the wiser course for a young college grad.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the field. In some fields, working is better because you can get into the field and figure out what you really need to succeed. In other fields, such as academia, you should just get in there and get it over with because you'll need a PhD to get hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the field. In some fields, working is better because you can get into the field and figure out what you really need to succeed. In other fields, such as academia, you should just get in there and get it over with because you'll need a PhD to get hired.

Academia isn't really a career path anymore. No jobs, too many post docs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on what grad school. Most MBAs would be better used with a few years of work experience. If your kid wants to go to medical school, better to get it done straight and out of the way. Every year delayed is opportunity cost of finishing med school and earning money because the medical track is SO Long. Law school depends, either way.

+1

Every one of my MBA classmates had work experience. I don't think you'd get much out of the MBA experience if you didn't have actual work experience to draw from, reflect on, etc. For an MBA, I'd recommend 3-4 years of work experience first.