Grad School: To Go or Not to Go Back to School

To go or not to go back to school – that is the question. I entered into my senior year of college in 2018 and I was torn in half. I wanted a job. I just needed to jump into the industry. Wait, no. I needed another degree. A bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a high school diploma in the 21st century, isn’t it? I had people in my ear telling me to go this way or that way and to be honest, I just let my cards fall where they needed to.

The summer going into senior year I was sold on graduate school. I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. Being a woman of color with multiple degrees would make me more marketable and I always heard that more degrees equals a higher salary, and that’s always a plus. Though it sounds like I had it all figured out, I was caught off guard by some discouraging advice which began the uncertainty of my future. I was at a conference where I networked and met many industry professionals.  After introducing myself , I was asked the infamous question, “What are your plans after graduation?” After confidently responding, “I want to get my Master’s”, I didn’t get a response with the same ecstatic energy but instead received more questions and puzzled looks.  They asked why.  I mean, why not?

I kept receiving the same responses and advice which I took into account even though it still frustrated and discouraged me. I was told that as a journalist, that experience is what gets your feet wet – not degrees. It would behoove me to get a job and get clips, get my name out there. Journalism is an experience-based industry. You only need a master’s if you want to teach. There’s no point. By the end of the conference, I’d made my decision. As I was packing and preparing to leave the hotel, I met up with a family friend who was also there. She told me how proud of me she was in preparation for graduation, and asked the same question I was so tired of hearing, “what’s your plan after graduation?” I gave her the same response, but with way less enthusiasm that I once had and she asked why. I told her about the advice I’d gotten and she looked confused, but not because of my goal, but everyone else’s responses. “Why would anyone see education as a negative? It’s more education!” She continued to tell me not to listen to them as getting more education could only help me and not hurt me. Thank you, Miccah. Another mentor of mine told me the same thing, “especially if it’s funded!” she added. Thank you, Rochelle.

Surprisingly, those two voices are what gave me the motivation I needed to apply and drown out the doubt from so many others. Even though I applied to multiple graduate programs in addition to jobs (including what I thought was my dream job), they all rejected me. Except Syracuse University. That’s how I ended up here, now, a third of the way through my Master’s at the number one communications school in the country. I grew up in a religious household, so I continually prayed for clarity. After I officially committed to Syracuse, the words that my mom told me still play in my head, “God wanted you to get your Master’s.”

Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if you should or shouldn’t go back to school and here’s my answer: only time will tell.