Grad School

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One thing that I always hear from conferences I have attended in my field is that people are better off with the undergraduate degree and then getting a job with the firm/company they have interest in. Then have the firm send them for continuing education and the Masters Degree.

The only reason I make note of this, is that I have friends as well as workers that have been turned down by other firms due to being over qualified with no experience. Hence the degree calls for a higher salary, so why hire someone with a masters in this or that when I can hire someone for 1/2 - 1/3 the cost and then send them to school with the company paying for it.

I would definately hire and undergrad over a grad student in the Architectural field. Especially if they hold no working experience and only hold a degree from a University.

I guess it boils down to the subject matter of what the degree is for and the job applications you'll use it for in the end run.

[Fit of Rage]

My dream job (supersonic propulsion engineer) would be at either Pratt & Whitney (who have already vocally stated that they prefer master's degrees), Lockheed Martin or Boeing (which follow the same guidelines that you stated) or NASA at Langley, Glenn, or Ames. NASA's breakdown is about 1/3 BS, 1/3 MS, and 1/3 Ph.D. but there's no way in hell I'm getting a Ph.D.

Only reason I wouldn't take advantage of a program like you describe is that the majority of aerospace companies, at least so far as I've heard, do what's called a tuition reimbursement program. You work for the company full time and attend school part time, all of it out of your own pocket, and when you produce satisfactory grades (C+ I guess?) then the company will reimburse you for those educational expenses. I would prefer not to subject myself to working professionally and going to school at the same time (way different than having a part time job while going to school).

[pascone]

grad school is for people who don't want to grow up

or are looking to advance in their current job, but usually it's the first. so they go to school after they graduate because they don't know what's going on

not saying that applies here, as i read none of this thread other than the title. just chiming in randomly

[phata$$]

awesome

My dream job (supersonic propulsion engineer)

[Burzum]

Perhaps you should stop doing everything the TWD-boss way and read what the fuck has been said. Just saying, randomly.

[Squeezer]

I guess it boils down to the subject matter of what the degree is for and the job applications you'll use it for in the end run.

I changed my major for the first time last week. I'm no longer a film major, but instead a Creative Writing major with a minor in Journalism. Woo me.

I'm also thinking about taking French next year. I've always wanted to learn a second language and French doesn't seem too difficult. I have a friend that said she'll take it with me and she's fully fluent after 3 years of Jr. High and 4 years of HS. Easy A. If I do decide to go through with that, I might double minor in French. It only takes 5 quarters worth of classes to be able to qualify, so I figure it would be a breeze. Journalism on the other hand takes almost 40 credits to minor. My friend could also talk with me until I too became fluent and I could actually (gasp!) learn something.

My hopeful career path is going to require a lot of practice and honing. For that, I can't get better help outside of a university.

[Money]

I changed my major for the first time last week. I'm no longer a film major, but instead a Creative Writing major with a minor in Journalism. Woo me.

I'm also thinking about taking French next year. I've always wanted to learn a second language and French doesn't seem too difficult. I have a friend that said she'll take it with me and she's fully fluent after 3 years of Jr. High and 4 years of HS. Easy A. If I do decide to go through with that, I might double minor in French. It only takes 5 quarters worth of classes to be able to qualify, so I figure it would be a breeze. Journalism on the other hand takes almost 40 credits to minor. My friend could also talk with me until I too became fluent and I could actually (gasp!) learn something.

My hopeful career path is going to require a lot of practice and honing. For that, I can't get better help outside of a university.

spanish is easier, and would be more useful..

[Sufficient]

Mandarin would be harder, but more useful.

[Cops]

My hopeful career path is going to require a lot of practice and honing. For that, I can't get better help outside of a university.

I find that University graduates of journalisms come out with 1-2 years of more 'school', not necessarily skills or 'practical knowledge' compared to a College graduate. The University graduates have a greater understanding of the the theoretical side of journalism but not the practical knowledge, and the sad part is that they don't tell anyone that this industry is 90% practical. Even the post grad program for journalists at my school which is only a year is way too intensive for University graduates, they might be bright young people but they suck shit at putting a show together or doing anything 'practical' in journalism. Most of the people in the post grad program spent a lot of time learning theory but the job market for 'theory' doesn't exist, what can you do and how good can you do it is the motto that will get you a job. You can't land a job without some skills, so having no skills and a piece of paper wont help you. It's great to have a degree, don't get me wrong but I'd pick up avid, finalcut, or any other editing program if you plan on getting into journalism.

You're pretty open to your education and that's absolutely awesome and respectable, too many people wouldn't have the balls to take film as a major because they think it's worthless but if it's what you love to do then that's what you should do. You're also 'playing the field', instead of saying 'I'm a business major and that's all I'll ever be'. I think school can be fun but if I knew I was going to end up in news or TV production and I spent four years to learn how to hold a camera opposed to two I'd be mad pissed. I'd look into what kind of courses in journalism your school offers, if it's all theory you're in for a mind numbing 'oh my fucking god' why did I even do this, on the other hand they might be amazing classes that involved feature pieces, story packages (short news story 1:30), basic editing or even more detailed editing. If there is a class that asks you to make a journalistic documentary, I'd definitely take that.

Ryserson is a University in Canada, they're known as one of the top notch schools for journalism. The thing is that they don't really do much work with the cameras or editing programs, at least not until their final years. Next year I'll be running two weekly shows (magazine show, as well as a newscast). I'll take on the roles of a producer, anchor, vtr-roller, editor, writer, as well as many other jobs. I think journalism is something that can be 'honed' in College or University, we just have a lot better time relating practical skills to practical jobs. Once you've heard 'a journalist is a storyteller' a hundred times or 'our duty is those who can't defend themselves' you'll want to amputate your own balls.

[MirrorriM]

I find that University graduates of journalisms come out with 1-2 years of more 'school', not necessarily skills or 'practical knowledge' compared to a College graduate. The University graduates have a greater understanding of the the theoretical side of journalism but not the practical knowledge, and the sad part is that they don't tell anyone that this industry is 90% practical.

This. I'm graduating this June with a degree in Psychology and Social Behavior, and I've been researching grad schools also. I dislike the idea of more school, I just want to get on with having a career, but I know I need a Master's. After a couple of years working, I hope to get my master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Every school I've looked at has a huge focus on research and statistics. Basically, they all assume that those 2 components are what is needed to do well in a field of psychology, despite the fact that surveyed grad students said that they wish they had more practical experience and less numbers-crunching. Something like 90% of the psychology grad students surveyed didnt go on to do more research after they got their master's.

[Cops]

This. I'm graduating this June with a degree in Psychology and Social Behavior, and I've been researching grad schools also. I dislike the idea of more school, I just want to get on with having a career, but I know I need a Master's. After a couple of years working, I hope to get my master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Every school I've looked at has a huge focus on research and statistics. Basically, they all assume that those 2 components are what is needed to do well in a field of psychology, despite the fact that surveyed grad students said that they wish they had more practical experience and less number-crunching. Something like 90% of psychology grad students said they dont plan on doing any research whatsoever once they get their master's.

That sucks! I did fairly well in social sciences, but I steered clear from going to University for it. I hope you get a job in psychology, it just blows that you need a masters before you can do a lot more practical work.

Sometimes University works against people, most people just want a job and a skill but instead they learn new words and concepts and end up having nothing but words and paper to show. Some jobs like what you plan on getting into is worth the investment for school, but the mass majority in University isn't even sure what they want to do with themselves because they've never had the opportunity to actually try what they want to be.

[Galleleo]

Squeezer, French is the most moronic, idiotic, stupid, backwards language ever invented. As a Dutchie I have to learn French, German, English and Dutch in High School, I can still somewhat follow German.. how I ever got a final sufficient grade in French is still beyond me, goddamn I hate that language.

I do wanna learn Spanish though, that is a cool language.

And, as far as my University education goes in line with what I want as a job (manager) it is really good for me. Yes it is very theoretical, but, in my field that is very handy when it comes to problem solving and stuff. At the uni I am being taught how to look at problems from a whole bunch of fields, instead of focusing on it from one field. For example, an economist would look at a problem from an economy point of view, a technical guy from a technical point of view etc. I learn how to try and integrate all those views into one solution. And I am being a taught a wide theoretical basis within business (economy, accounting, marketing, etc. etc.) which means I will know what specialists are talking about and that will make it easier for me to integrate that stuff. So, in my case I think my University degree is way better than an HBO (a far more practical orientated education in the Netherlands) degree. Don't get me wrong though, I hate the research part..

[Squeezer]

I think everyone sorta glossed over the easy A part. I've always had a thing for France too. Call me weird.

And Cops, I know it's a tough road trying to make it off of your writing. Hard work isn't enough to succeed in that particular field. When I really think about it though, it's the only thing I've ever really liked about school since I started (reading/writing). I guess I could fight it all I want and try to do something else, but the inevitable truth is: the subject which makes me most happy might not pan out to be the best.

I'm not going to lie to myself, nor would I expect anyone else to but it's what I want to do.

[Fit of Rage]

And, as far as my University education goes in line with what I want as a job (manager) it is really good for me. Yes it is very theoretical, but, in my field that is very handy when it comes to problem solving and stuff. At the uni I am being taught how to look at problems from a whole bunch of fields, instead of focusing on it from one field. For example, an economist would look at a problem from an economy point of view, a technical guy from a technical point of view etc. I learn how to try and integrate all those views into one solution. And I am being a taught a wide theoretical basis within business (economy, accounting, marketing, etc. etc.) which means I will know what specialists are talking about and that will make it easier for me to integrate that stuff. So, in my case I think my University degree is way better than an HBO (a far more practical orientated education in the Netherlands) degree. Don't get me wrong though, I hate the research part..

This is just a bunch of bullshit buzzwords thrown together in what looks like a paragraph. Problem solving, economy, technical, specialists, integrate... get over it. Your job will be negotiating contracts with clients for whatever company you work for, telling your employees what their current tasks are, and making sure your employees have adequate money, computers, or other materials that they need to do their job.

[Cops]

This is just a bunch of bullshit buzzwords thrown together in what looks like a paragraph. Problem solving, economy, technical, specialists, integrate... get over it. Your job will be negotiating contracts with clients for whatever company you work for, telling your employees what their current tasks are, and making sure your employees have adequate money, computers, or other materials that they need to do their job.

Isn't that half of what University is, over-expanding concepts and ideas that need no more than 5 minutes to cover?

I think everyone sorta glossed over the easy A part. I've always had a thing for France too. Call me weird.

And Cops, I know it's a tough road trying to make it off of your writing. Hard work isn't enough to succeed in that particular field. When I really think about it though, it's the only thing I've ever really liked about school since I started (reading/writing). I guess I could fight it all I want and try to do something else, but the inevitable truth is: the subject which makes me most happy might not pan out to be the best.

I'm not going to lie to myself, nor would I expect anyone else to but it's what I want to do.

Dude I totally get it, I love writing as well. I've gone out of my way to integrate myself into a half broadcast and half print student. I'm prepared to become an editor, cameraman, anchor (doubt it), or pretty much anything that will allow me to get my foot in the door. I'd even like writing online for cbc.ca. I think we got an edge though, people are too afraid to do what they love to do. There's a lot less Media students and a lot more Business students out there.