At the end of four long years of undergraduate education, University of Memphis students are faced with a major decision. Does one continue their education in graduate school or depart from the world of academia to seek a job in the real world?
The answers to this question are as varied as the students themselves.
"I think that a lot of the time people go to grad school just because they have absolutely no idea what they really want to do with their life," said Ryan Carter, senior advertising major. "Grad school buys them a little time to sort things out."
Others view graduate school not as an addendum to college, but as an essential component of their education.
"Many students go to graduate school to satisfy an inner intellectual curiosity, or to become extremely knowledgeable about a particular field," said Joe Frazer, U of M graduate student of history. "There are a lot of fields in which you can only get to a particular level without a master's degree, and if you want to be a doctor or lawyer graduate school isn't exactly optional."
Students agree that for some career paths graduate school is the only available avenue.
"I'm definitely going to grad school even though I don't really want to," said Chris Owen, senior art major. "I want to teach art at the collegiate level and that requires jumping through some hoops, so I jump."
Many students echo this pragmatic viewpoint.
"I want to be a teacher so I therefore have to go to grad school," said Caleb Tinkle, senior counseling major. "I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to pay for it, but it is something I have to do in order to be where I want to be."
Others see graduate school as a way to change their lives and location.
"I'm going to grad school eventually, but it has to be out of town," said Erica Gonzales, recent graduate in dance. "I've never moved away from Memphis and I feel like it would be a really good experience. I could probably concentrate better if I went somewhere new."
Regardless of the reasoning behind it, the majority of students feel that graduate school will enhance their lives and jumpstart their careers. Some may see it as an obstacle that has to be overcome, but others try to take a more positive approach and get the most out of their education.
