Why Graduate School?  

Dr. Judy A. Perkins, PE

MATC Scholars ProgramOctober 3rd – 6th

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

OUTLINE

• Introduction

• Learning Objectives

• Learning Outcomes

• Session Presentation

• Conclusion

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Reasons to Pursue an Advanced Degree

• Considerations to Begin the Application Process

• Completing the Application Process

• Gaining Admission

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Knowledgeable about why graduate school is important

• Knowledgeable about preparing for graduate school

• Informed about the benefits of attending and investing in graduate studies, and career paths as a graduate student

EXERCISE ON GRADUATE SCHOOL

Discovering Commonalities

In groups of (decide based on number of students in session), generate a list of 20 things that you know about graduate school. You will have a total of 10 minutes to complete this exercise. At the end of the exercise, a student from each group will be selected to present the group’s list.

WHAT IS GRADUATE SCHOOL?

• Provides specialized knowledge and training in your chosen field of study

• Provides more depth to subjects taken in your chosen field of study

• Engaging in research and other intellectual activities to advance as well as contribute to the scholarly work in your field

• Requires a personal commitment

REASONS TO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREES• Become specialized in a field of study

• Personal goal

• Professional growth, development, and advancement in your career

• Change in career goals and paths

• Increase to earning potential

• Enjoy gaining more knowledge about your chosen field of study

REASONS TO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREES

• Trends in the economy shows that the US is becoming extremely dependent on seeking a highly educated and skilled workforce

• Between 2008 and 2018, approximately 2.5 million jobs will require a master’s, doctoral, or advanced degree

REASONS TO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREES

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey

Reference: http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm, accessed on September 30, 2012

CONSIDERATIONS TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS

• Research the ratings and reputation of the graduate schools/programs

• What are the requirements for admissions to the university and the graduate program for your chosen field of study?

• What type of research is being conducted by professors in your chosen field of study?

• Student services available at the school in the respective programs

CONSIDERATIONS TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS

• How much time will it take to complete your degree?

• Financial assistance available in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and teaching or research assistantships

• Create a budget for living expense (if relocating is required)

• Standardized Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

• Participate in graduate preparation conferences and campus visits

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

• Become familiar with the deadline timetable for submitting your application

• Purpose statement

• GRE scores (general and maybe subject)

• Transcript(s)

• Resume

• Letters of recommendation

GAINING ADMISSION

• Fully understand the admission process

• Graduate admissions committee is comprised mostly of professors

• Generate and submit a competitive application

• Follow up and be proactive

CAREER PATHS AS A GRADUATE STUDENT

• While the career paths of a graduate student will vary, there a few commonalities to a career path selected by the graduate student and they are as follows:

• Position yourself to be more competitive

• Increased your marketability

• Increase job satisfaction and self-confidence

CONCLUSIONS• Attending graduate school offers tangible

and intangible opportunities

• Earning potential is higher than those with just the bachelorette degrees

• Understanding factors that considered prior to starting your application when greatly enhance your chances of putting together a competitive application

• Be proactive about the investment being made to pursue graduate school

Slide design © 2009, Mid-America Transportation Center. All rights reserved.

Dr. Judy A. Perkins, PEProfessor

Prairie View A&M UniversityCivil & Environmental Engineering Department

P.O. Box 519, MS 2510Prairie View, Texas 77446

juperkins@pvamu.edu

CREDITS