Finding the Right Graduate Program: A Guide

Well done! You’ve graduated and have obtained a degree that you have worked tirelessly for over the last few years. But now that you’ve graduated, you could be left wondering what your next steps should be. While there is no right or wrong way of doing things and you always have plenty of choice, you should consider the bigger picture. Do you wish to continue studying so that you can specialize in a certain field? Do you need to take a few months off before returning to education or looking for a job? Do you want to go straight into full-time employment? Whatever the answer, you need to mull over all your choices so that you make the right one for you. The wrong decision could make you a lot less happy – and at the end of the day, you want to be enjoying yourself. 

One avenue you should consider taking once you have graduated is enrolling in a graduate program. A graduate program has numerous benefits, such as:

• Gaining additional knowledge in a certain subject
• Specializing your skills
• Earning a better starting salary once you have a job
• Better career prospects
• Increased job security
• Better choices
• More global opportunities

Plus, for certain roles such as healthcare, you can become an expert in a certain part of the healthcare world. This can make you much more desirable when applying for roles. It can also provide you with better job satisfaction as you will be working in a specialized field that suits you more. 

Not sure how to find the right graduate program for you? Read on for advice and guidance on how you can find the right graduate program that is ideal for your wants and needs.  

What Motivates You?

Before you start looking at graduate programs, you need to understand what it is that motivates you. You may be familiar with this process as you may have already thought about it when deciding which undergraduate degree you wanted to study. And although you most likely have more of an idea of what it is that you wish to do, this can still be a useful exercise that helps streamline and narrow down your thought process. 

Think about what it is that truly motivates you. It could be that you care about others and wish to look after families. It may be that you want to educate others in the healthcare industry, for example. If this is the case, and you already have a degree in nursing, then you may wish to look up a graduate nursing program that could help you specialize in these particular areas. For instance, Marymount nursing programs are catered to those looking for a graduate program that can help excel their career in healthcare. 

What Degree do You Already Have?

The degree that you have already earned can determine what graduate program you can enroll in. While you may wish to take a step away from the degree you have already obtained, this may be more difficult to do if you want to go in a completely new direction. For instance, if you have a degree in English Literature, you may struggle to land a spot in a graduate program that focuses on nursing. 

Take a look at the options that your current degree offers you. You never know, you may find a field that you have never encountered before. 

Do Your Homework

The temptation to apply for the first graduate program that tickles your fancy can be high, but rather than do this, make sure that you do your homework first. This is because the wrong graduate program could set you back financially and cost you a lot of time that you can never win back. Research every career prospect that may interest you, then once you have found a few that seem right for you, create a short list and read up on the course curriculums and how they can help you land a job afterwards. Remember, the point of a graduate program is to help you find a job that you enjoy in your chosen field. This is an opportunity you will not wish to waste by accidentally choosing the wrong graduate program. Here is a guide on how you can choose your degree subject. 

Does the Program Suit Your Lifestyle?

You may have a particular lifestyle that you need to consider. For example, will you have to work part-time to fund your living and schooling? If so, then you may need to apply for online graduate programs that can be completed over a longer period of time. This can be a versatile and flexible way of studying, and it is proving to become a much popular form of education because it allows students to work, care for family, and have a better student-life balance. 

Talk to Students and Lecturers

Not sure which graduate program is best for you? If so, then why not speak to students and lecturers and see what they have to say? They may be able to offer insight into what your strengths are, what it is that they think you may enjoy, and even offer courses for you to look at for inspiration. While the final decision is entirely yours, this does not mean you cannot speak to others about your selection process. They may be able to point out elements that you have missed and not considered before, such as the benefits of studying online when it comes to a graduate program. 

Check Your Finances

Graduate programs are rarely free. Therefore, check your finances so that you know how much money you can put towards your graduate program and know whether you need to find funding for a certain chunk of it. It could also highlight whether you are able to take a year from work so that you can concentrate on a graduate degree. 

Graduating is a huge achievement, so be sure to congratulate yourself on this momentous occasion. However, also remember that if you are looking to continue studying, you need to ensure that you are making the right decision.