Pratyasha Mohapatra
Pratyasha is the International Graduate Team Lead and is pursuing her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering Iowa State University.
The past few years have seen an increase in the number of professionals returning to college for advanced degrees. As companies are looking for better-qualified workers, more individuals are considering going back to school. Be it for career advancement, gaining expertise in a specific area or for pursuing a career in academia, there are many questions that are usually associated with this transition... Can I adjust to the classroom, assignments, and research after being away from books for so long? Is it too late to go back to school? Will my industry experience be of any value during and after my graduate studies? Is it even worth it?
Can I adjust to the classroom, assignments, and research after being away from books for so long? Is it too late to go back to school? Will my industry experience be of any value during and after my graduate studies? Is it even worth it?
It has been four years since I first started my ‘back to school’ journey as an international graduate student after working full-time in industry for 2 years. And like many of us who have undertaken this path I had my own share of fears. This blog post is dedicated to sharing insights on this transition and answer some of these questions:
- Time management: Planning is a very important aspect in graduate studies. There is always so much to do: classes, assignments, research proposals, experimentation, mentoring, meetings and the list goes on. The working hours in school are generally more flexible as compared to jobs in industry and most of the targets/deadlines are primarily self-defined. On the other hand, work in industry is mostly dictated by deadlines, regular reviews and though that experience does help in planning, graduate studies usually call for more proactive planning. If you are generally driven by deadlines it can be helpful to assign regular targets for yourself to avoid work piling up. Actively allocate time for coursework, research and also keep some time to decompress.
- Handling finances: The transition from a steady paycheck during a professional job to paying for school can seem particularly intimidating. Working in the industry does provide valuable experience in managing finances but keep in mind that this transition might demand better planning of finances and even living on a budget. Before taking up a graduate course, it can be worthwhile to research about the usual program time span, available funding options and the job pay benefits after graduation. Many universities offer fellowships and funding from departments or the graduate college. Some companies even sponsor advanced degrees for their employees. Talk with your employer to explore any suitable options.
- Back to books: Going back to the classroom after years away from books can feel like a difficult feat and it may take some time for you to build momentum. At this time joining study groups can be very useful. Not only can it provide support for coursework, but also serve as a good networking opportunity. Try to talk with previous students to figure out the course demands prior to taking them. If you are involved with research projects as well it might be helpful to plan coursework with your major professor. Some programs also provide options for lowered semester course work on request.
- Preparing for life after school: Recent reports from the National Center for Educational Statistics show that employees with master’s degrees have earnings about 28% higher than those with a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to work in a specific area after graduation, an internship experience in the same area can be very insightful. Internships offer a great introduction to real life work and provide the opportunity to build your network that could lead to future job opportunities. Most employers also value a prior industry experience, even if it was not in the same country or field, as it depicts your ability to work in teams, solve problems, and manage resources. Plan early and talk to students who have had internship experiences to choose the right ones fit for you. Keep in touch with your research group alumni as they might help as points of contact in the areas you most likely would be interested to join. The graduate career services center might also help in providing information about different available opportunities.
