Ask Addy: Should I just blow through this graduate school stuff and get it over with or take a break?
As we crawl toward the end of spring semester, this week’s Ask Addy question is something that’s on many of our minds:
"I'm moving forward into a graduate program and would be starting at the U of M almost immediately after graduation. But there is an option that I can postpone my admission for a semester and then start in the Fall. Should I just blow through this graduate school stuff and get it over with or take a break?"
Oh, wouldn’t we all like to know. Many soon-to-be St. Kate’s graduates are trying to make similar decisions and thinking about how graduate school trajectories will impact their student experiences and their lives. It can be hard to know where to go for advice in these situations, especially when you may be the first in your family to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Thankfully, the St. Kate’s Office of Career Development offers graduate school counseling sessions for this very purpose. I consulted Violeta Lara, a Career Counselor, to gain some perspective on this predicament.
I was surprised by how easy it was to get on Violeta’s calendar. I just walked into the Office of Career Development on the second floor of the CDC and asked if anyone could help me with questions about graduate school. The student worker in the front was able to set me up with an appointment immediately, providing multiple options and time slots. These appointments can be set up via email as well by inquiring at askcareer@stkate.edu.
On the morning of our meeting, I checked in at a computer in the waiting area and browsed some job search materials until Violeta was ready to see me.
Some information that you can pick up on a visit to Career Development
In her office, Violeta started by saying that the decision on whether or not to take a gap year or gap semester was totally dependent on what you are experiencing as a student. She suggested that you ask yourself: “Where am I in my mindset right now thinking about a graduate program?”
Violeta advised that the decision on whether or not to go directly to grad school is dependent upon a wide variety of factors. How are you balancing work and school? What do you know about the program and its expectations? What type of internal and external motivation do you have to complete this program? Burnout is something that everyone experiences, so it’s really good to consider these factors.
“It is also important to remember that you are the one making this decision,” said Violeta. “This is not anyone else’s decision to make.”
The transition from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree is usually a move from a broad field of study to something more specific. You should ask yourself how you study, and whether it would be best to maintain the momentum of being a student you have right now or to take a break.
Financial considerations are also a huge factor, and Violeta suggested asking, “What does this look like financially?” Many students leave St. Kate’s with debt and this is definitely something to consider.
For this specific Ask Addy submission, it’s a question of “Do you want ownership over your summer?” asked Violeta. “What does it mean for you to start in the summer versus the fall? Is there any advantage to you starting right away?”
With graduate programs, there is usually flexibility, and there is really no right or wrong decision.
“One fear that I know many have,” I told Violeta, “Is that you may not go back to school after taking what you intended as a gap year.”
“That’s a very normal fear,” said Violeta, “It’s universal. It just comes back to personal motivation,” she assured me. “You have to ask yourself: what was my initial drive? Similar things that you evaluated before coming to St. Kate’s.”
“Always talk to somebody you can confide in,” she advised. Some options include Career Development, an academic advisor, or a mentor. She also suggested that students reflect and refine their goals even after applying to graduate school. Receiving a letter of acceptance to a program can be incredibly exciting and gratifying, but you should still step back and reflect on what is best for you.
“Before jumping into any type of search, it’s best to know yourself.” Career Development has a wide range of services to help with this process.
“Career counseling is the main gig,” said Violeta of all the services the office provides. “Individually and also in a group.” Career Development also offers counseling via phone, and email. Since they only offer in-person meetings from 8:00 to 4:30, accommodating the needs of all students is a major objective.
A workshop on business lunches offered by Career Development
In addition, Career Development hosts workshops on various topics (usually with snacks!) They offer guidance on developing skills such as salary negotiation, networking, and how to use LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Students can come in for a graduate school counseling session like I did, or have their personal statements and graduate school applications reviewed. The office can also help with interview prep, resume prep, and career fair prep. This is just the short list. Perhaps most importantly, Career Development helps students translate their experiences and things they enjoy into careers. The best news? The Office for Career Development is available to both St. Kate’s students and alums. This resource doesn’t expire when you graduate.
“Regardless of where you’re at in your process, coming into Career Development early and often is what we emphasize. No matter where you’re at, we’ll meet you where you are and work at your pace. We recognize that everyone beats their own rhythm.”
This applies to graduate school as well. The main message that I derived from Violeta’s guidance was that you should consider the factors and consult with someone you trust. There is no right answer, but you are the only one that gets to make the final decision about this step in your life, and that is pretty exciting.
