Janice, a third year physics student, ventured into the Career Resource Center. She was contemplating her career future and was more than a bit confused. Her parents had suggested she look into a career as an air traffic controller since it was related to physics. Her friend, a speech-language pathologist, had suggested that she look into audiology for the same reason. "How about a Ph.D. in physics?" asked her professor. She had never considered attending graduate school and knew little about it. Overwhelmed, yet determined, she began to sift through career files, guides and calendars, making a list of questions she needed to address. READ ON...

Do I Have A Career Goal?

Janice had always enjoyed her physics courses and wanted to apply her skills in some way. She was aware that it was time to take her career planning a step further and to come up with concrete options. Before considering any further education, she knew that she had some work to do. Taking advantage of the career counseling services available on campus, she started working toward identifying an occupation that fit her needs.

What Type of Graduate Program Do I Need to Achieve My Goal?

Janice quickly realized that "grad school" could mean a lot of things. Some programs focus on the acquisition and communication of knowledge acquired through original research. These programs usually culminate in the granting of a Ph.D. Janice had the option of pursuing a Ph.D. in physics. Other professional programs focus on the application of knowledge. In some fields, the master's degree (M.A.) may be the only professional degree needed for employment. If she pursued audiology, she would need a master;s degree to enter the profession.

Janice read about part-time, distance, interdisciplinary and combined-degree graduate programs. She was surprised to see all of the options available.

When Should I Start Preparing for Grad School?

Janice started comparing herself to other friends in the department. Many had spent a lot of time researching programs on the internet. Had she left it too long? Probably not, although many graduate-level programs do require relatively specific preparation that could start early in a baccalaureate program. Second language requirements and entrance examinations like the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) require preparation, as does your prospectus or letter of intent/interest. As well, forging relationships with faculty members, your future referees, is very important, as you will need to contact them for reference letters.

While she had no time to waste, Janice felt confident that she had sufficient time to prepare her applications. She was pleased she hadn't waited until January of her graduating year.