Do I Need This Job? Do I Want That Degree?
Dear Aftergrad, I want to pursue my dream career, but I need to make money too
Dear Aftergrad is an advice column for recent grads and young professionals on work, careers, and adulting — from us and fellow aftergrads. Got a crazy confession about adulting? Looking for advice on navigating postgrad life? Let us offer you our two cents. Submit your stories, questions, or dilemmas via our Dear Aftergrad Submission Form for a chance to have them featured in a future episode or newsletter. You can also DM us on Instagram, write us an email at theaftergradpodcast@gmail.com, or comment on this post.
Dear Aftergrad,
Here’s the deal: I’m 4 years out of college, and I just got accepted into 2 grad programs. One has a bigger name in New York City. The other is well known in Los Angeles, which is the city I currently reside in and want to build in. Both schools are expensive. The school in New York gave me no money, and the school in LA paid for half the cost of the program. But it would leave me still with $40,000 in student loans.
Both programs are humanities centered, and I want to be considered a cultural expert. I want to be able to work for museums and other art institutions with this degree, and I do have a pretty good job already in journalism. I’m not at my six-figure goal yet, but I have space to grow in my company. And my current career is not in the arts, however. But I’m not unhappy.
My parents have been wanting me to go to graduate school for a while, and my sister and romantic partner are both in masters programs as well. Personally, I love learning, but I’m not the biggest fan of academic structure. Should I go to grad school and get into the career I want, or should I stay in my current career and work up to that financial goal post?
Signed,
Friend of the Show
P.S. Love the work you’re both doing. Keep it up!
Hello, Friend of the Show!
We’re happy to hear that you’re not unhappy in your current role. We’re firm believers in prioritizing your mental health over forcing yourself to stay at a job that isn’t a good fit professionally or financially, so it’s good to hear that you see room to grow in your company.
Although we’re only a year out of college compared with you being four years removed, we broadly understand the stress of making a decision that could impact the trajectory and timeline of your professional career. You mentioned how your parents and other important people in your life either have been wanting you to pursue a master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate degree themselves, but you never said it’s the path that you specifically wish to take. Ask yourself why you want this humanities degree in the first place.
If it’s solely because you feel pressured by society and the people around you to perform success or act as if you have clarity and direction in your life, then it's a chop for us – respectfully. However, if you reach the conclusion that you genuinely want the master’s degree for reasons that actually matter to you, then additional questions must be answered.
It sounds like a few important goals for you include working in the arts, being considered a cultural expert, and reaching a six-figure salary. Do you need a master’s degree in a humanities field to achieve these outcomes? More education doesn’t always translate to more earnings. It can, but it’s certainly not the case for every person who pursues a graduate degree with the intention of making more money.
A big question right now is whether or not college is still worth its exorbitant cost. And the student debt crisis is real, impacting approximately 44 million borrowers. You may already be included in this statistic. So before returning to the university classroom and accepting $40,000 or more in debt, get very clear on your why. Are you hoping to make professional connections in your desired industry? Are you looking for guidance and direction in your career? Do you miss being a student?
The answer to these questions isn’t always more education. But only you know.
Since you love learning, you’re already intellectually curious and willing to explore new ideas and concepts without the academic structure of a university. Who’s stopping you from reaching out to relevant leaders in your field or contacting art institutions you’d like to work with in an effort to forge these relationships right now? Would it be possible to replace the master’s degree with experience from a series of internships, apprenticeships, part-time jobs, or other forms of work and mentorship that don’t require you to settle for five-figure debt?
If not, then we’re rooting for you! Just remember this: at their best, master’s degree programs can connect you with a network of rising and established professionals in your target field and set you up for higher-paying job opportunities. And at their worst, they will leave you financially hobbled as the skills demanded by employers continue to shift rapidly with the emergence of new technology.
Four years ago, you might’ve felt compelled to pursue a master’s degree immediately after earning your bachelor's diploma. That is, if you’re anything like us. It’s easier and gives you more time to figure out which path you want to take without having to accept the real responsibilities of adulting. At least, that’s what we like to tell ourselves. Some of us would remain in the classroom indefinitely if given the choice. It’s what we’ve known, and it’s what we’re good at. But a creative professional from Robert’s alma mater recently told him that often times it’s helpful to live a little and learn more about yourself before committing to a graduate degree.
To reiterate, you asked, “should I go to grad school and get into the career I want, or should I stay in my current career and work up to that financial goal post?” Why does grad school have to precede getting into the career you want? You can work up to your financial goal post while also getting into your desired career in art – without going to grad school. These two goals aren’t mutually exclusive. And you shouldn’t stay in your current career for the single reason that it’s not what you see yourself doing for the rest of your life.
Therefore, why not pursue both? Money and passion. And not necessarily in that order.
With love and empathy,
Your Fellow Aftergrads, Robert and Victoria
P.S. To hear more of our thoughts on the current value of a college degree, listen to our episode To Be Degreed or Not Degreed, That is the Question from The Aftergrad Podcast.