Grad/Professional School

[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...