The Transition: A Guide to Graduate School Success

By Justin Boone, Ph.D.

A survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau in 2013 revealed that young adults who held advanced degrees usually made 23 percent more per year than employees with bachelor degrees. Even new hires typically start at a higher level and earn more money if they have an advanced degree. So why don’t more people continue their education? Justin Boone believes that many students simply have too many unanswered questions about continuing their education. He walks you through topics such as: · choosing a university that is credible · getting the funding to continue your education · determining what type of degree to pursue · navigating graduate school success · making the most of your degree Whether you’re a current student, recent graduate or seasoned alumni, review your options and make intelligent decisions about graduate school with The Transition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483444918

Book preview

THE

TRANSITION

A GUIDE TO GRADUATE SCHOOL SUCCESS

JUSTIN BOONE, Ph.D.

Copyright © 2016 Justin Boone, Ph.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means---whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic---without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4492-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4491-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016900751

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 5/6/2016

CONTENTS

Dedication

Prelude

Introduction

PART 1: Making the Right Decision for YOU!

Chapter 1: Choosing the University

Chapter 2: The Application Process

Chapter 3: How to Get Funding

Chapter 4: What Degree Should I Pursue . . . Master's? Doctorate? Both?

PART 2: You're In . . . Now Get It Done!!

Chapter 5: Getting Settled

Chapter 6: Navigating Your Success

Chapter 7: Tackling Coursework Head On

Chapter 8: Time Management

Chapter 9: Career and Professional Development

PART 3: Picture the Finish Line: Own Your Degree!

Chapter 10: How to Shake That Last-Year Funk

Chapter 11: Perfect Your Craft: Better Marketing Yourself

Chapter 12: Networking: Creating Opportunities and Choices

Chapter 13: Networking: So You've Graduated . . . Now What?

Chapter 14: Relax! Here Comes the REAL World!

DEDICATION

This is dedicated to my beautiful wife for all of her love and inspiration, as well as my family who has supported me throughout my journey.

PRELUDE

When I reminisce on the time of my undergraduate studies, I can't help but think about the day I received my graduate school acceptance letter. It was one of the most exciting moments in my life because that day someone saw enough in me to provide me with an opportunity to pursue my ultimate career goal: obtaining a doctorate!

As I began preparing for the process, I thought about all the things that motivated me to pursue this level of education: like my appetite for more knowledge in my discipline and beyond, the opportunity to be viewed as an expert in the field by conducting cutting-edge research and publishing in scholarly journals, and just being able to carry those three letters behind my name (PhD). For these reasons and more, I knew that without a shadow of a doubt I wanted to pursue a doctorate. To my surprise, however, it wasn't the thought of obtaining any of these scholarly achievements that actually motivated me to battle through the tough times and finish strong.

It all started to make sense early on in my graduate career when I began participating in career development efforts for undergraduate students. I often served as a judge for oral and poster presentations, a panelist on various graduate school-related topics, or a recruiter during college fairs. While talking with students I realized what motivated me the most: the opportunity right in front of me to serve as an inspiration to others and motivate them to accomplish goals they may have thought unachievable. When I struggled to solve my research problems late at night in the research lab, I thought of those students. I realized that regularly participating in efforts that allowed me to motivate and inspire other students was an antidote for my pitfalls and tough times in the program. I had developed the need and desire to not disappoint them the moment they began to view me as a role model or mentor. I had not only found my own personal inspiration, but---most importantly---my passion.

Throughout my doctoral program, I continued to be heavily involved in the business of helping and inspiring students as my level of expertise and experience increased, along with many lessons and testimonials. During these discussions with students at each conference I attended, I noticed recurring questions. The questions, in general, were always regarding graduate school and the many aspects both inside and outside the classroom.

During a typical day at a conference I would get questions like, What are the classes like?, How do I apply?, Is there any money available to cover the cost?, and my favorite, Do you have a life outside of school? During these conversations with students who were at least interested in attending graduate school, I realized that I had the ability to help so many others achieve their goals of pursuing graduate studies. I could potentially help those make the decision to attend and inspire others who may not have considered graduate school as an option. So, I developed the idea to write this book.

Before diving into my writing, I spent some time getting input from students at a variety of levels in their education, such as those nearing the completion of their undergraduate studies and considering graduate school, others who had already pursued the industry route and were interested in earning an advanced degree part-time, and also those who had already enrolled in graduate school and were working toward completing their degrees. The goal was to find out what questions and concerns they considered to be important when attempting to make a successful transition from undergrad to graduate school.

My intensions are for you to use this book as a tool that can provide the ins and outs about the graduate school process, by sharing some of my own personal experiences, along with detailed information about applying to graduate school, finishing strong once you've enrolled, and career options once you've completed your program. I hope this can help eliminate your fears about pursuing it as a post-undergraduate option, while providing you with the confidence and ambition you'll need to get it done. I believe you'll be able to refer to this book as a resource or personal guide throughout your graduate school process.

INTRODUCTION

I've often been asked, What made you pursue a doctorate of all things? The answer consists of three very critical factors: respect, power, and money. It's by no mistake or coincidence that these three factors ranked in opposite order of the more commonly known phrase money, power, and respect. The financial benefits of earning a doctorate were very important to me; however, they weren't my number-one determining factor. Respect was the most important factor when I was considering a doctorate because I knew it would provide me with recognition and credibility in the academia and corporate world, as well as in the community in general. I also knew that if I ever had aspirations to do other things, such as write a book, I needed to have as much experience in that specific topic area as possible in order to provide trustworthy and respectable insights.

I believed that along with being well respected, power was also an important goal of earning a doctorate. By earning a higher level of education, I would have the confidence needed to search for and request better employment opportunities from well-represented employers, which could ultimately lead to a promising career start.

Then I considered the money aspect. Although I knew earning a doctorate would require a lengthy amount of time to complete, I believed that earning a higher salary in the end would be a rewarding payoff. Furthermore, I knew that with more education on my resume, I would feel more comfortable requesting a higher salary if offered an amount I wasn't fully satisfied with. Once these factors were considered, there was no doubt in my mind that I was ready for my journey.

The list of reasons students decide to pursue advanced degrees after completing their undergraduate studies is limitless. But if you're reading this, you're probably motivated by one or more of the things I've already mentioned. After receiving their bachelor's degrees, many students go on to pursue further education because of the desire to gain more knowledge and education as well as higher levels of employment and income, or to achieve personal goals and ambitions. These desires aren't just persuading a small number of graduating seniors to consider advanced degrees either. A study done by the Council of Graduate Schools from 2003-2013 indicated that graduate applications for admission to U.S. graduate schools grew at an average annual rate of 3.6%. In addition, during the five-year period between fall 2008 and 2013, graduate applications grew to a surprising 6.1%. These results not only indicate that more and more students are considering graduate school as an option, but also reiterates the need for those of you who are still unsure to take the initiative to go ahead and apply.

Furthermore, the study showed that between fall 2003 and 2013, first-time graduate enrollment increased by 2.6%. Therefore, while the number of applications to U.S. graduate schools and graduate enrollment continues to increase each year, the number of students earning master's degrees and even PhDs will begin to increase as well. These percentages are rising because students are realizing that getting a bachelor's degree isn't enough if you want to reach those goals I mentioned and set yourself apart from the rest of your peers. As college graduates continue to flood the job application pool, companies will continue to search for more candidates possessing advanced degrees.

Still, I do realize that there are many things preventing many students from obtaining an advanced degree or discouraging them from even pursuing it as an option. I do not believe that a reason students fail to pursue advanced degrees is because they lack the intellectual ability to do so. I've always believed that anyone who has the ability to grind it out and finish during undergrad has the same potential to complete a graduate degree with similar success, if not more.

Whether it's due to financial fears or setbacks, or bad timing because of stressed and busy schedules, the simplest reasons could easily prevent a student from applying to graduate school. In some cases students believe they lack the ambition, motivation, and/or drive, but this is a commonly cited reason that students can overcome. Obtaining an advanced degree is one of the most efficient ways to ensure that you reach your goals sooner rather than later. I certainly can't guarantee that you'll get everything you desire if you earn a master's or even professional degree, but you will stand a better chance than those of your peers who may not have advanced education on their resumes.

A survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau in 2013 revealed that young adults who held advanced degrees usually made 23% more annually than those who held bachelor degrees. In addition, employers who acquire new hires with advanced levels of education typically reward them for their knowledge by bringing them on board at a higher level than someone with only a bachelor's. This should not only increase your confidence level in preparation for the journey ahead, it should provide you with a great jumpstart to your career by placing you one step closer to reaching the level of Director, Vice President, or even CEO.

Whatever your career goals and aspirations, I genuinely hope after reading this book you realize that obtaining an advanced degree can truly provide you with an abundance of benefits that could set you apart from the rest and make an extreme impact on your professional advancement throughout your journey.

PART 1

Making the Right Decision for YOU!

Introduction

Deciding whether to enroll in graduate school after battling through those long days and all-nighters for four or more straight years, can be a difficult decision for one to make. The most difficult part is the fact that by now, your palms are itching for the opportunity to finally cash in and benefit from all that hard work, blood, sweat, and tears! This creates a dilemma that every student faces. Should I work first to make some money and gain valuable on-the-job experience? Or should I go straight to graduate school?

Perhaps you have already proudly crossed the stage and have been in the work force for a while now, but you suddenly have the feeling that you are ready to advance your career and set the bar higher. You may now begin to slightly regret your decision to start work right after school because the rhythm and routine of school has completely left your mind. The biggest fears you're dealing with are how difficult it will be to get back in the groove and how you are going to afford it. The answer is simple: Make the Right Decision for You!

This is critical because some people often get worn down by the opinions of others and begin to lose sight of their dreams. It's very healthy to share your dreams and ambitions with those whose feedback you value the most; however, be careful not to get sidetracked with so much advice that your dream is deferred. Talk it out with others and then debrief on your own time to be sure you're still focused on the objective at hand. Most importantly, remember that there will never be the right time to pursue your dreams. If you're contemplating it, then NOW is the time to take action!

I couldn't begin to count how many times I've been approached by students or peers who unload by telling me their ambitions and dreams, shortly followed by a laundry list of excuses and issues they have for not having taken action to pursue those dreams. I often love to share the message not only with students, but with everyone chasing their dreams, that a temporary commitment gives birth to a lifetime of achievement. In other words, you are the owner of your destiny, and the amount of work you dedicate to accomplishing your goals will directly impact your level of success.

You may still be unsure as to what is actually the best decision for you even after you've shared your aspirations with everyone you know. No worries, I'm here to finally provide you with a realistic and useful response to this mystery. Whether you're early in your college career, a graduating senior, or currently working with the thought of going back to get an advanced degree, I'm here to help put it in perspective for you!

Let's talk about the early--in-your-college-career scenario first. This is the best situation you could possibly be in. Your career advancements and level of success are still in the palms of your hands. The ability to have options and not be forced into situations can fully play in your favor at the moment. When making this decision, be patient and let your knowledge and experience naturally take their course, which can lead you to making a choice you're most comfortable with. The most important thing to focus on is figuring out what you like to do.

In most fields, summer internships and/or research opportunities are the primary ways students get opportunities to apply what they've learned in the classroom. By participating in a summer opportunity, you quickly begin to gain valuable experience and skills that will help you along the way, but more importantly you learn things about yourself that you value the most.

During undergraduate studies, my first summer opportunity was research-based, followed by two summer internships with an automotive company. It's also possible to participate in co-ops (during the semester) and year-round research. Following my summer research experience, I immediately knew that