deciding whether to go to grad school or not

QueenB09 · #1 08-07-2008, 08:17 PM

I need help. I am about to start my final year of college and I am a journalism major. I want to do print and broadcasting, but some people (reporters from my internship) have told me that it is pointless to go to grad school because of my major. I understand where they are coming from, but my current university is not big in broadcasting, just print. I feel that if I go out into the workforce I am not prepared like I want to be (resume tapes). I have always wanted to get my masters because my mom only has her bachelors and my dad never finished college. I am really stuck and dont know what to do. Any advice?

5Knowledge1913 · #2 08-07-2008, 09:13 PM

I would go to graduate school if I were you. The more degrees you have, the better.

Those same people that told you that it was not necessary to have a graduate degree probably have one (or more) and they also have jobs, so I would go for it!

christiangirl · #3 08-07-2008, 10:50 PM

IDK much about this major, but I have a friend who has the same major and career goals as you and she's trying to go to grad school. She has a steady job, but the experience she has won't carry her far enough (according to her). I feel you on wanting degrees past what your parents have because I'm in a similar situation, but that shouldn't be the reason you get an advanced degree. Grad school takes a mountain of effort, time, and money. You'll go further into debt, have to put a lot of your life on hold, maybe even relocate. Take all that into account before deciding if you really to go in order to advance yourself and, if you do, then prepare for the ride! It's gonna be a doozey, but worth it in the end!

QueenB09 · #4 08-07-2008, 11:18 PM

christiangirl, yea I know that my parents not having a higher degree is not a good reason to go to grad school, but I always wanted my masters anyway. I just want to go to grad school for the extra experience and as for the debt part...i have considered that also, thats why im lookin for schools that are not that expensive but have a great journalism program. I just want to be prepared before I go out into the workforce and ensure that I would have a good start as well as a great background.

Thanks for the input 5knowledge1913, I am leaning more towards going to grad school despite what the other people have said. In the end, I would feel more accomplished. I am in the process of searching for grad schools and I have narrowed down my choices. Now I just have to worry about the GRE. Scary though. lol...but thanks again....to both of you for the advice.

mccoyred · #5 08-08-2008, 04:50 AM

If you have the finances, I would urge you to go now. Waiting until you have been out in the workforce or have a family makes it really hard.

BTW, did you want to get your masters in journalism or something else to complement it?

BlessedOne04 · #6 08-08-2008, 02:44 PM

I just want to go to grad school for the extra experience and as for the debt part...i have considered that also, thats why im lookin for schools that are not that expensive but have a great journalism program.

I haven't heard of a school esp grad that's not that expensive.

I believe education is wonderful however I would make sure that I would pick a program that is going to be of benefit and not harm to you. For example if in your field experience means way more than creditials then you may want to consider a degree that is complimentary to your goals.

Eclipse · #7 08-08-2008, 03:18 PM

I think there are 2 reasons to go to graduate school:

1. To get a better/higher paying job or to make your self more marketable

2. Because you just love education and are not concerned about the money.

Is it difficult to get a job in print or broadcast media without an advanced degree? Will it truly make you more marketable than just your bachelors? I don't know that industry, but I would definately take the advice of people in the field that randoms on a message board who may have never seen the inside of a newsroom or a TV studio. Graduate school is expensive and I have seen a lot of people go deep in debt to come out and get the same job they would have gotten with their BA or be deemed 'overqualified' because they have a masters.

Good luck

QueenB09 · #8 08-08-2008, 03:29 PM

i wanted to get my master's in journalism because i wanted more experience in broadcasting. As far as money goes, I am looking for scholarships and I am not that much into debt rt now because I have a scholarship that pays for my tuition for all four years. I think I just want to do grad school for me instead of my career for the most part.

PurposeDriven1 · #9 08-09-2008, 07:21 PM

I would definitely recommend going to Graduate School. In any industry, post Bachelor's level education can only help you. It can often open up new opportunities.
It can't hurt.

jitterbug13 · #10 08-09-2008, 11:09 PM

Ususally, there are two reasons why people get their Masters in Journalism:

1. It wasn't their major in college and now they are in the field. They have plans to say in the profession and want to learn more about the craft.

2. They have plans to teach in the high school or college level (mostly college). And usually, they have gotten burned out by the profession or they have been in the business for several years and now want to teach.

As a print journalism major in college, my advice is to do two things. Either wait a few years before you pursue your Masters because your interests may change and may want to go to graduate school for something different; or go after you finish school with the hopes that the job market gets better. If you do pursue broadcast, you may have a better time getting a job than in the print field, where there have been a lot of layoffs lately. A lot of print/broadcast get degrees in public relations, but take my advise--it is not for everyone (which I learned the hard way).

stardusttwin17 · #11 08-11-2008, 12:57 PM

I was a broadcasting major in college. As another has mentioned a grad degree in journalism/communications is only useful if you plan to teach. The best thing for you to do is to network and get internships.

Spending two years in a grad program for additional tapes will not help you in the long run. That's two years you could be paying dues to show that you are ready willing and able to hustle. I am not currently working in the field and my biggest mistake was thinking I could come back home to the biggest market and get a job. HA! In the long run its not what I wanted to do but that misstep at the beginning did me in. I had the internships, the radio show (student dj license) & television experience. What I didn't realize was every communication major with an ounce of sense has that. At this point you need to make connections with alumni to see who can get you in. Since you are already a senior see what real world experience you can get to add to your resume. Volunteer at the radio station (get your FCC license), offer to intern (for free if you have to) at the local television station, work on the student paper. Also if you are not a member you need to join NABJ or whatever communication groups are on your campus and be active (that means go regional/national meetings workshops etc).

The thing that concerns me is you have real world professional people telling you that you don't need this degree yet you are asking on here what to do. Please listen to the people you have access to that are in the field. If you know exactly what you want to do approach the person at the local station and ask to interview them (not to ask for a job but for more insight on how they got to where they are now). How many years before they got to their current position? What was that first job? How many times did they move? Unless they are teaching I'm pretty sure none of them have advanced degrees in communications. Most people go to grad school to open additional opportunities but that will not happen in this major. In communications you will not skip steps - you'll still have to start at the bottom & two years of additional loans will seem worthless if you are lucky enough to start at $23K a year.

Don't worry so much about having tapes. You will not get a job on air straight out of school. Those "found in the mall" stories are one in a million. Of the friends I have that are currently working on air NONE of them have advanced degrees. They started in small markets, were willing to move around, paid their dues and are now doing it.

In hindsight knowing what I know now I should have majored in something else and am planning on getting that advanced degree in another area. If you have any more questions you can hit me on PM.