Grad/Professional School

[blueGBI]

I've been reading over this thread and it has been a help. I just graduated from college but I want to go back to school for my MSW. Right now, to make sure I actually want to stay in this field and work with kids, I'm doing TSS work in the Philadelphia school district. Are there any other people who are going back/have done a MSW?

[NiaX]

Wow... all the tips.... very interesting. Well, I would like to hear from those that were getting a Masters in a science field. Nothing wrong with Law, or Public Policy.... I am getting myself prepped for a Masters in Cosmetic Science.

[neosoul]

I'm getting a MSc in Health Care Management, and it's fun...

[pinkies up]

Originally Posted by NiaX

I am getting myself prepped for a Masters in Cosmetic Science.

Are you going to the University of Cincinatti for your Master's degree?

[Exquisite5]

Originally Posted by darling1

how time flies and how life circumstances change......

DITTO!!!!
I am looking back over this thread and I can't even remember 3 years ago. I don't even remember making those posts.

Well: to be on topic here is my update.

I started law school, got engaged September of my 2nd year, got married the summer after my 2nd year. It worked out great for me and now I am happily married and working at a law firm. LIFE IS A BLESSING AND LIFE IS GOOD!!!

I can honestly say my nervousness and apprehension about school itself AND striking the balance was misplaced-- to me undergrad (engineering major) was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY harder than law school. Law school was great!!! Ummm, now however we'll see how the law profession is- lol! I was just talking to a Soror today about wanting to return to law school.

To all those looking for encouragement in the face of professional or grad school-- YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! If you love it, I think it will be WONDERFUL and if you don't love it-- why are you doing it?

Looking back I think the hardest year (of law school) was the first year only because I didn't know what to expect. Honestly it was all fun- I truly believe at least thus far, law school was the best part of my life.

[hellocutie]

Yeah, this thread was pretty helpful, and I am pretty nervous about grad school (especially the GRE). However, I am going to do my University's five year program and get an M.Ed one year after graduation. Hopefully that will help me to make decent money while I gain work experience before pursuing my MBA.

[Kali-n-Kohl]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Unfortunately we still live a world that severely wants to restrict access to higher degree education... So I am basing what I am going to say about my close to 10 years of hell in grad school. Although, grateful for the final outcome--my Ph.D. in molecular genetics, I want those who wish to pursue a higher degree to know how to take the glaze out of their eyes much like I had to do...

It's about sacrifice. How much are you willing to give up. If you are 20-something, you may think this could be the best thing to do. Well it is true for some fields, such as medicine, science and law. But not for all fields. Are you willing to give up all your 20's for a piece a paper?

Well, if you are, the risks are great but the benefits are plenty!

If you are 20-something--you will watch your fellow school friends obtain wealths of cash, houses and cars. Your folks--no matter how supportive they are--will wonder why you are behind. They might not say it, but you will feel it and they will never admit it.

Your fellow girlfriends will get married to the "ultimate" husband and have tons of children. And you will begin to wonder about the meaning of life during grad school. Why the hell would you want to do this...

It is at this point when you have to go back are remember what most of us are telling you now... Once your in--you don't give up... But if you have any reservations before you are in--wait! And work awhile...

Think of it this way, most employers want responsible employees. Typically, that means folks who have mortgages to pay and some vested interest in the field... What that means is that you will not be a "super" accomplisher until your late 20's or early 30's anyway. So in the meantime, for your ultimate goal of what you want to become, do you see the folks who are doing what you want to do with higher degrees? If so, I'd say, go for it. If not, rethink about what it is you wish to seek...

No matter how hard grad school can become, once your in it, you must not give up. Get the poem "Don't Quit" and follow it each difficult day you will have while in grad school.

And hey, you aren't the first person to say they are sick of school--no more school... But also do not live with the regret of why not...

So in some ways it is a catch-22...

Pray and seek God's counsel...

you just summed up all my feelings. i'm in an MSW program right now with plans to go on for a phd upon completion i can't belive how well you got my feelings out.
thanks and sorry to crash your thread

[PhDiva]

Heed the words of AKA_Monet. Graduate school is about endurance so you have to have a strong mental and spiritual constitution to navigate through the bureaucracy, politics and lack of "life" outside of school.

While I think my research is important, I am also aware that the Ph.D. gives me a social and cultural capital to open doors that would have been closed to me as a Black woman. Make sure you have a clear idea why you are putting yourself through this process. I wanted to teach young adults and especially challenge young Black women to look beyond media representations that teaches us to look beyond ourselves for validation. A PhD gives me a captive audience and a credibility that having years of teaching experience did not. With only 2% of the US population holding a Ph.D., people are more willing to listen to what I have to say than treating my experience as an valid source of knowledge. As much as I disagree with this idea, I have to be pragmatic. If I want to reach more black girls that enter into the academy, I need the Ph.D. Keep the reason for this sacrafice at the forefront of your mind because it's easy to lose focus when you get bogged down in reading journal articles, writing countless papers and spending several hours in the library.

Here's some questions to ponder (sorry if some of this is a repeat)

Ask yourself, am I willing to find ways to keep me motivated when the "grind" gets to be too much?

Am I willing to delay gratification while friends are getting married, having children and moving on with their lives?

Am I able to take constructive (and not so constructive) feedback from advisors and committee members without losing my cool?

Do I have confidence in my writing and speaking abilities?

Will I be able to make a return on my financial and mental/spiritual investment? Esp. if you end up in the professoriate, you won't make the money you really should but having flexibility and autonomy often makeup for not making as much money (I teach 3 days a week; get May-Aug and January off which balances out not making alot of money).

Do I know how to negoitate with a variety of personality types to construct a committee that will facilitate my graduation?

Am I a procrastinator and how can I change that to make myself self-motivated and organized?

A good resource for prospective and current grad students is www.phinished.org. It's a site for MA and Ph.D. students needing support to get through their theses and dissertation. Check out their archive about setting writing and working goals and read through some of the folks trials and triumphs. This site helped me to stop "polishing a turd" which was chapter 4 of my dissertation.

May the Force Be with You,
PhDiva

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Heed the words of AKA_Monet. Graduate school is about endurance so you have to have a strong mental and spiritual constitution to navigate through the bureaucracy, politics and lack of "life" outside of school.

While I think my research is important, I am also aware that the Ph.D. gives me a social and cultural capital to open doors that would have been closed to me as a Black woman. Make sure you have a clear idea why you are putting yourself through this process. I wanted to teach young adults and especially challenge young Black women to look beyond media representations that teaches us to look beyond ourselves for validation. A PhD gives me a captive audience and a credibility that having years of teaching experience did not. With only 2% of the US population holding a Ph.D., people are more willing to listen to what I have to say than treating my experience as an valid source of knowledge. As much as I disagree with this idea, I have to be pragmatic. If I want to reach more black girls that enter into the academy, I need the Ph.D. Keep the reason for this sacrafice at the forefront of your mind because it's easy to lose focus when you get bogged down in reading journal articles, writing countless papers and spending several hours in the library.

Here's some questions to ponder (sorry if some of this is a repeat)

Ask yourself, am I willing to find ways to keep me motivated when the "grind" gets to be too much?

Am I willing to delay gratification while friends are getting married, having children and moving on with their lives?

Am I able to take constructive (and not so constructive) feedback from advisors and committee members without losing my cool?

Do I have confidence in my writing and speaking abilities?

Will I be able to make a return on my financial and mental/spiritual investment? Esp. if you end up in the professoriate, you won't make the money you really should but having flexibility and autonomy often makeup for not making as much money (I teach 3 days a week; get May-Aug and January off which balances out not making alot of money).

Do I know how to negoitate with a variety of personality types to construct a committee that will facilitate my graduation?

Am I a procrastinator and how can I change that to make myself self-motivated and organized?

A good resource for prospective and current grad students is www.phinished.org. It's a site for MA and Ph.D. students needing support to get through their theses and dissertation. Check out their archive about setting writing and working goals and read through some of the folks trials and triumphs. This site helped me to stop "polishing a turd" which was chapter 4 of my dissertation.

May the Force Be with You,
PhDiva

Your post and the post by AKA_Monet were so on point.

I spent two years in a PhD program for polymer chemistry, and left this August with my masters. At this point in my life I was not ready or mature enough to devote my entire life to the pursuit of my PhD. While I love the subject matter, I was not physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to handle everything that comes with working towards a PhD.

I'm hoping that one day soon I will be able to resume my studies, but I desparately needed to get out of the lab and out of school.

[NeuroTypical]

I'm a first year master's student in an M.S. Speech Pathology Program.

I think the biggest difference between grad and undergrad is that in grad school your professors begin to expect you to think on your own. The days of regurgitating information are basically over. For assignments, they give you the foundation and expect you to expand on what they have given you with critical thinking. I say adopt a philosophy for your field and have information that supports your way of thinking. Where I am professors seem to appreciate difference in opinion with adequate reasoning.

As far as the process of selecting a school goes. I felt that going beyond the rankings was crucial. Rankings involve alot of politics. I would suggest taking advantages of visits offered and get to know 1) the faculty, 2) the current students, and 3) probably the most important, the other students that are attracted to the program. I LOVE MY COHORT!!!

[mariet58]

Greetings BlueGI, I understand your concern and would encourage you to return to school and begin working on your MSW. I'm in the graduate MSW program at the University of Cincinnati and loving every minute of it. As a mature student having received my undergraduate degreee in 1980, I waited to gain experience in the work force. Little did I know that many years later in order to get a promotion having a graduate degree is essential. Do not delay.

[CherryPepsi]

BlueGBI could you please email me ???

I am from PA too and a TSS and thinking about getting a MSW, but I have another career in mind.
Mariet I am going to need your help to. Matter fact anybody who is thinking about or have obtained their MSW email me pleeeease.

I cannot decide what I want to go back for.

Thnx in advance

[CherryPepsi]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

I've decided to work on my doctorate.

If anyone knows of any schools that have great programs (Education programs), please let me know. I am willing to RELOCATE.

If you are willing to come to PA
1. Cheyney U
2. Lincoln (excellent program,, a little unorganized you might lose your patience with them)
3. West Chester of PA
4. Temple or University of Pennsyl.(if you just want the name only)
5. LaSalle University (I heard they work you to death though)
6. Villanova

[blueGBI]

Originally Posted by mariet58

Greetings BlueGI, I understand your concern and would encourage you to return to school and begin working on your MSW. I'm in the graduate MSW program at the University of Cincinnati and loving every minute of it. As a mature student having received my undergraduate degreee in 1980, I waited to gain experience in the work force. Little did I know that many years later in order to get a promotion having a graduate degree is essential. Do not delay.

Currently, I'm looking at Temple University and Bryn Mawr college here in PA and to get into the program, they want me to have at least 1,000 hrs working in the field before I come back. I plan to go back by mid-2008 to work on it, I just need to get in at a job where they'll pay for me to get the MSW. So, I'm praying I get a full-time social worker position.

[AKA_Monet]

YOU MUST have someone in your "corner" of the world... "Your mentor(s)" per se... And you need to have S-E-V-E-R-A-L mentors...

Mentors for good and bad days

Personal mentors

Life guiding mentors

"In your area of expertise" mentors--and this should be the most primary, with them serving as a role model giving supportive advice.

It is hard identifying mentors, the American Heart Association has a good mentoring book out there. Other good mentoring books are dealing with "coaching".

And I hate to say it, but it is all about "playing the game".

For me, I just had someone who barely knew me tell me that in my field, how to play the game...

Also, as for writing all documents, you MUST have--meaning purchase--E.B. Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" as well as other grammatical texts that you can use for your field...

I am a poor writer when it comes to grammar--especially when I write for science. So, I looked at several research articles in my field from Nobel Laureates and "imitated" their writing style. I improved somewhat. But either way, it takes practice.

So, how do you get to that point? Well, when there is "stuff" or "things" that your advisor needs to write that is of low priority on them, request if you could review it and write a blurb.

Also, in your meetings with your advisor, do it just like a "Robert's Rules of Order" type meeting, with an agenda and Old and New Business, with you taking the minutes--YES, as a matter of fact, you probably need to have that kind of documentation.

And YES, that is how "tight" you MUST play this "graduate/professional school" game.