Grad School

**spmetla** · 10-01-2008, 19:40

Howdy all!

As my final semester of my undergrad in History is half through I begin pondering the future that people with 'real' degrees have already pondered. Some of my friends want to go to grad school and my parents are encouraging me to do the same. I myself would rather do more military service by volunteering to go overseas and then get a 'real' job when I get back. I enjoy studying history but know that I will probably never be able to apply my degree in it in the real world and personally think that try for a master's would be a waste of money, my parents though tell me I'll regret not going to grad school which of course makes me reconsider my thoughts on it.

I'm just curious as to your opinions on grad school. Is it worth it for a humanities major?

**Hosakawa Tito** · 10-02-2008, 11:56

I think you've already answered that question yourself. What would be the sense in investing the time & money in expensive schooling if one isn't going to apply the knowledge gained to a career.
Unless one is looking at an academic career in teaching, archeology, anthropology, etc. I would not. You mention getting a "real job", and that means different things to different people. Your indecision and not really knowing specifically what career path you want to take is certainly not uncommon. After all, how can one decide without trying a few things first?

**Lord Godfrey** · 10-02-2008, 23:37

I spent 8 years working before I went back to grad school for my MBA. Be smart with your money and have enough savings so that you can be without a paycheck for a year and you can go back to school anytime you want.

I have a lot of friends with graduate degrees that they never really needed, unless you are going to go the academic route and teach (Masters or PhD), figure out what you want to do first and then get the education that supports that career.

**spmetla** · 10-03-2008, 00:59

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I'm pretty much just considering my options and agree with the idea of first having the money available. Doing my undergrad with my savings and military assistance has made it much easier to focus without the hassle of a part time job or student loans.

@Tito: My intentions to get a 'real job' are like you say, to see what's out there first and see what I want for myself. Reason I asked though is like I said, outside input had told me to just go for it and they speak with the experience I don't yet have.

Godfrey, what type of degree to you have if you don't mind my asking?

**Hosakawa Tito** · 10-03-2008, 01:39

Not going deeply and needlessly into debt is a wise decision. Good luck to you.

**Ice** · 10-03-2008, 21:24

Personally, I'd recommend law school if you are interested/can stomach it. History is a great background.

**TinCow** · 10-06-2008, 22:21

I was an undergrad history major and went immediately to law school with no break. History majors (and humanities in general) translate well into law and a very large number of law students come from those backgrounds. You should be able to translate well into that kind of study and career. I agree that there are not many options for a history major other than acedemia or grad school. Unless you want to teach, your options are generally limited to grad school or work that doesn't require a degree.

I personally did not have to deal with student loan debts, but they're definitely a major factor. Most law school grads graduate with debt in excess of $80k, and I had many friends who graduated with upwards of $150k to $200k combined from undergrad and law school. Most law students do NOT get 6 figure jobs at firms right out of law school, if ever, so debt is likely going to be a major impact on your life if you undertake that course. I know lawyers in their 40s who are still paying off law school debt. Also, legal employment has been suffering severely since the tech bubble collapse 7-8 years ago and it's just getting worse again with the current economic crisis. If you live in a major city (on the level of NYC, LA, DC, Boston, etc.) you can find plenty of employment doing 'contract' work which will pay the bills, but it's not fulfilling or resume-building. If you go to law school in the current economy you need to really work your butt off to be at the top of your class. You do not want to end up graduating without a job lined up in advance.

Law school (and probably all grad school in general) is a completely different ball game from undergrad and it needs to be treated as such. It's essentially a job that you're paying to go to. You need to treat it like a job and work hard at it, or it's just going to be a waste of time. If you're not committed to it, it's probably not a good idea, especially in the current economy.

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 10-07-2008, 22:22

I've had the same question. I still have University to think it over, but I've thought about this a lot. I'm going to major in history for sure, but I think your parents have it right. To be honest history majors are not assured a job (for example biochemist Ph.D's like my father are usually going to find a job in that field). The good thing about just going to grad school in history or something similar is helpful to find better jobs and pay is better. This is applicable for jobs not even remotely related to your major. It's just more education and employers like to see that.

I know a Soviet studies major who runs major buildings etc. and is VERY well off. Harry Turtledove (one of my favorite authors for his Darkness series) is a Byzantine Empire History Ph.D and has made a career off writing fantasy books. Education is never bad to have!

I think no matter what route I take for University studies, I'm going to the peace corps afterwards, THEN find a job.

**Strike For The South** · 10-08-2008, 00:54

Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon

I've had the same question. I still have University to think it over, but I've thought about this a lot. I'm going to major in history for sure, but I think your parents have it right. To be honest history majors are not assured a job (for example biochemist Ph.D's like my father are usually going to find a job in that field). The good thing about just going to grad school in history or something similar is helpful to find better jobs and pay is better. This is applicable for jobs not even remotely related to your major. It's just more education and employers like to see that.

I know a Soviet studies major who runs major buildings etc. and is VERY well off. Harry Turtledove (one of my favorite authors for his Darkness series) is a Byzantine Empire History Ph.D and has made a career off writing fantasy books. Education is never bad to have!

I think no matter what route I take for University studies, I'm going to the peace corps afterwards, THEN find a job.

Why the peace corps?

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 10-08-2008, 03:42

Originally Posted by Strike For The South

Why the peace corps?

I want to help people and I like to experience other cultures. Combine them and you get the peace corps.

Should be a requirement in my opinion. Either military service or peace corps.