With the U.S. economy and job market showing a markedimprovement in the last quarter, students who chose to remain inschool through the recent economic slump are glad they did.
David White, a computer science doctoral student at TheUniversity of Memphis, said he decided to continue his educationbecause he wanted a larger choice of jobs when he graduated.
"I wanted to have the option to teach, so I needed at least amaster's degree," he said. "I don't feel that a B.A. is enough inany major anymore."
Competitiveness in the job market is also a major factor thatrequires many people to get education beyond an undergraduatedegree in order to succeed, said one official.
"One of the reasons there is an increase in graduate admissionsis that more people are going to college and pursuing a highereducation," said Sarah Dubose, graduate admissions secretary of TheU of M Psychology Department.
Dubose said the psychology department has 85 graduate students,including both master's and doctoral students. Students with anundergraduate degree or master's degree in psychology can get a jobin the work force, she said, but most clinical settings require adoctorate.
However, the business field is one area hiring a number ofstudents with psychology degrees, Dubose added.
David Henderson, graduate director for The U of M PhilosophyDepartment, said teaching is the main area in which philosophygraduates choose to practice. It is necessary, he said, to have agraduate degree in that setting.
"There are a few jobs in other areas, such as being a medicalethicist, but by and large, philosophy has an academic end," hesaid.
Although the economy showed an improvement, some students arestill uncertain about it and their possibility of finding ajob.
"Attending graduate school was something I wanted to do, but theeconomy also played a substantial role, since the job market wasdown," White said.
As for plans after graduation, White said he intends to find aposition either in education or a private industry, likeresearch.
Dubose said some students who plan to continue their educationanyway may benefit more from entering graduate school directlyafter completing an undergraduate degree.
"You are used to being in school and are still in the swing ofthings," she said. "However, if you decide to wait on getting yourgraduate degree, you will get the job experience in the realworld."
