Paying for Graduate School - Is it Worth it?

Here is another post I wrote for my employer, Northeastern University, about how graduate school is worth the investment!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A big question that always comes up when deciding whether or not to attend graduate school is the cost. Whether or not you are still paying off student loans from your undergraduate experience, nearly everyone wonders how they will afford paying for a graduate program.

At my graduation ceremony in 2016, I was able to sit next to a couple of my classmates whom I only knew virtually since the program was 100% online. One woman was from Texas, one was from California, and another was from Virginia. As we got to talking, all four of us could point to ways that our Master’s degrees in Higher Education Administration were worth the investment.

The woman from Texas mentioned that she got to write about some interesting topics that ultimately assisted her in her role in Study Abroad Student Affairs. She also mentioned that some courses opened her eyes to a whole different way of thinking and helped her gain new perspectives that were helpful to her both personally and professionally. Perhaps most valuable of all, she saw this degree as a pathway to advancing her career and knowledge in the field she loves most.

When speaking to the woman from California, she agreed that the program was helpful in her career and being able to step up her responsibilities and skills. She enjoyed being able to collaborate with so many talented and enriching educators across the globe and now had contacts in other fields and states. The exposure to different types of jobs and departments in higher education opened her eyes to other areas of interest she could move into.

Talking to the woman from Virginia, she mentioned that as soon as she received her Master’s degree, her boss immediately gave her a raise – talk about worth it! She saw an increase in pay as a result of her hard work and commitment to education. She noted that it was inspiring to see all the accomplishments of everyone and how far we all came.

For me, hearing all of these women describe how their graduate program was worth it made me feel confident that I made the right choice. I shared similar perspectives and thought the program made me more informed and confident that I could advance myself and my career to the best of my ability.

I ask that you keep these important points in mind when deciding if graduate school is worth it:

·      Research all funding options (e.g. scholarships, grants, graduate loans, employer assistance, EdAssist, etc.) to maximize your benefits

·      Consider the diverse, eye-opening perspectives that you will gain through your program

·      Know that you will learn new techniques and skills that are relevant and important to your industry and that will help you take your career to the next level

·      Keep in mind the potential for a promotion and pay raise immediately after you receive your degree!

·      Know that there will be others like you who are nervous but excited to take this next step in their lives

·      Be proud of your decision – you can do this!

Alumni Advice: How to Know if a Master's in Education is Right for You

Here is a blog post I wrote for my employer's graduate site and as an alum!

If you’ve asked yourself: “Is a master’s in education right for me?” recently, you’re not alone. I asked myself the same thing when it came time for me to decide which master’s degree to pursue. Should I pursue education? College counseling? Should I go another route and pursue an MBA? What’s best for me?

The answer to this question depends on several factors. Some questions to consider include:

• Do you have experience working in the field or are you trying to break into it?
• What are you looking for in terms of a career outcome or path once your degree is complete?
• Is the field of Education something that just interests you or something that you are serious about building or starting your career in?
• Is this degree a way forward to getting that promotion or dream job?

---

Download Our Free Guide to Advancing in Higher Education

Learn more about how you can change the course of higher education—from the skills you need to the different roles available.

DOWNLOAD NOW

---

Why I Chose to Pursue a Master’s in Education

Personally, I didn’t know the answers to all of these questions when I enrolled in Northeastern’s Master’s in Higher Education Administration program. I came from an educational travel sales background and then transitioned into college admissions, so getting my master’s in education seemed like a good opportunity to find out more about the field I was now immersed in and happened to love. I was, however, still unsure about several aspects of earning my degree, including:

• How was I going to manage classes and a full-time job?
• Would I like being in a 100 percent online program?
• Would earning a degree be worth it—financially, professionally, and socially?
• Was this degree essential to getting a promotion? Was it necessary for me to have in order to land an executive-level role?

Truthfully, I didn’t really think everything through. Although I did end up enjoying the program, I realized that I didn’t have a precise career goal in mind when I first enrolled. Many of my classmates wanted to be Directors of Admission or Career Services Managers or Deans of their colleges. Me? I wanted to survive and learn about what else existed in higher education and how I could get there. I envisioned this program as an easy way to gain a glimpse into other sectors of this fascinating industry—a path that would ultimately give me that “light-bulb” moment where I would immediately say, “Yes, that is the job for me, and I know exactly how I am going to get there!”

How I Benefitted From Earning an MEd

I am very lucky that I benefitted from the program professionally, learned a great deal, and made some great connections. I especially loved that the 100 percent online aspect of the program turned into a positive attribute. I was able to build better relationships with my classmates, absorb more information (since everything was written instead of spoken), complete assignments at my own pace, and take the time to compose my thoughts in a more intentional, effective manner. I was able to gain knowledge in specific areas like faculty tenure, financial aid and education law, race and equity issues, strategic enrollment management, and more. Above all, I was able to utilize admissions and enrollment strategies from my classes and incorporate them into my job.

Things to Consider Before Applying

I should have, however, asked myself more questions before I started. So, when considering a master of education program, here are some pieces of advice:

• Take the time to find out the cost of the program and what potential careers you can gain after the degree. Consider if you think it is worth it—financially, professionally, and socially to you.
• Seek out others in your dream job positions, someone you work with, or someone in higher education, if you don’t already work in the field, and check if they have the same or a similar advanced degree. Ask them if they think getting their degree was worth it, and how they chose the degree that best fit their needs. If they’re a close colleague that you trust, ask their opinion on whether they think an MEd is the right fit for you.
• Look at the curriculum–does the subject matter (for the most part) interest you? Would these classes be useful in your job?
• Check your calendar: can you dedicate a couple of hours per week for classwork in addition to your other commitments?
• Are you comfortable with taking classes that are 100 percent online?
• Find a mentor in the industry. You will be so glad you did.

While this is not an all-inclusive list, it’s a great starting point.

Get comfortable with doing some research and asking those tough questions before you officially take the plunge. I’m glad I pursued an MEd, as I now have my dream job, but I probably would have had a much easier time if I asked myself the key questions like, “What is my goal at the end of this degree?” “What am I hoping to learn?” and “Should I speak to someone who has been through this degree to see if it’s worth it?”

Remember: you’re not the only one asking these questions and trying to figure this out, so don’t be shy about asking for help. Start today by reaching out to an admissions coach to get personalized advice to better understand how an MEd can help achieve your goals, or download the e-book below for more information.