Educational advancement, earning more money and finding a better job are a few reasons why people seek a graduate degree.
Yet receiving an education beyond the four years spent at a university is not for everyone, and the value of earning a graduate degree is something that has been hotly debated for years.
But for grad student Dominic Chase, who moved from London to attend the University of Memphis' graduate school, the advantages heavily outweighed the drawbacks.
“For me the main benefits of attending grad school are probably learning more useful things for a career in the news and making connections,” he said.
Chase completed a masters program at City University in London, where he received a degree in broadcast journalism.
Upon graduating, he decided to move to Memphis in order to have a better understanding of the field in the United States and ultimately fulfill his goal of becoming a news anchor or reporter.
After he was accepted into the University's doctoral program, he applied to the department of journalism for a graduate assistant position, where he was offered a chance to be an assistant at the citywide high school newspaper, The Teen Appeal.
Though his field of expertise was mainly focused in broadcast, working as an adult staff member at The Teen Appeal has helped him branch out and further his skills in print journalism.
“I get to work with the kids in Memphis schools, and have gained a lot of knowledge on print layout and newspaper writing style,” he said. “With journalists nowadays, you need to be able to do everything, so every extra skill becomes a strength against your competition.”
Chase is just one of the 4,500 graduate students at the University of Memphis.
The University currently offers 25 doctoral degrees, 55 master's degrees, 30 graduate certificates and the Education Specialist degree, according to Karen Weddle-West, vice provost for graduate programs.
Earning an advanced degree can also help a person stand out in a crowd and make them seem more attractive to future employers, said Chase.
In other fields, getting the graduate degree can put a person in line for promotion. There are some professions such as law and medicine where the advanced degree is the entry into the field.
However, in some cases, attending graduate school right after graduating from a four-year school can delay a person’s entry into the workforce. Some students chose to work a couple of years before attending graduate school.
Though moving back to London is a possibility for Chase, he said he would not mind permanently living in Memphis if he is given the opportunity.
“A lot of people ask why I would want to move to Memphis, especially from London,” he said. “For me, Memphis is a great city. Although there is a lot of crime, and much of this is shown in the news, there are also so many positives about the city.”
