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Choosing my Master’s Degree, Wisely

By Jenna Moede

I already told you all one of my secrets that I keep locked away - that I messed up my first go-round on my Master’s degree. Coming from the top of my class in high school and a Dean’s List student in college, it hurt, but I also learned how to choose a path that, this time, will help me reach my goals.

I realized that when it comes to choosing a degree, I didn’t have to see all my high school and college friends as competitors. Instead, they could help me and guide me.

Right away I rebuilt connections that I had let slip away. I needed the help and support of those that I’ve always had friendships with. Starting my master’s after they finished didn’t matter a bit to them, and it never should have mattered to me.

Next, I took the pressure off myself. I knew I wanted my Master’s and I didn’t want to put it off any longer, however, I had to train my brain to understand that researching and choosing a program that fit me didn’t mean I had put college off, it meant I wanted to do this the right way.

I always say if not now, when? But when it comes to this situation, you can’t rush the decision-making process. I’ve mentioned this before with choosing to start undergraduate studies as undeclared, but since graduate programs don’t require generals, you don’t have built in wayfinding time. Make your own but just make sure you’re not delaying in the name of research.

Next, I really thought about what I wanted to do. Hopefully you’ve already made the right decision for your undergraduate degree so you won’t have as much trouble with this as I did, but if you haven’t take your time to really find what you want to do, take this crucial step.

This time around I chose something based on firsthand knowledge and experience rather than something that I thought sounded okay. I know that I enjoy teaching English because I have done it for the past two years, and I know I enjoy writing because I have experience doing so.

If you lean toward something you haven’t had hands-on time with, I highly recommend job shadowing or trying to interview someone who has that “dream job” just to learn a little more about it. Choosing a Master’s means a huge commitment, so make sure you take all the precautions.

Next I took my goal and started to research it. I knew I had a lot of options and routes I could take so I narrowed them all down. I looked into job positions with each degree, licensing (if applicable) per state, and the projected growth rate and salary of each.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics became my best friend for finding information I felt I could rely on, and I felt better after researching exactly what positions I could go into after I attained any one degree.

I took it a step further on my own after finding a few positions that really interested me, and I researched those to make sure I didn’t miss anything if I pursued the degree I hoped would provide that opportunity.

Lastly, I compiled my notes and focused on a few graduate programs that I felt had a lot of potential to lead me where I wanted to go. That coupled with an attainable, reasonable and passion driven goal helped me in my search for the school that fit me the best.

I didn’t have an easy time getting here, and I know that I will hit bumps in the road this time too, but at least this time I feel like I put ample thought, reason and passion behind my decision.

I put myself in gear, did the research and made the decision without letting unnecessary time go by or extra delays. I had to find the balance between giving my decision thought without action and action without thought. 

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