If you already have a Bachelor's degree but you are considering a career change, you may be wondering what steps you can take to prepare yourself for this change. Different people desire career changes at different stages of life, and for a variety of different reasons. Wanting to switch careers doesn't mean you have to earn a second Bachelor's degree. Often, going to graduate school will allow you to make the career change you desire. Depending on your goals and your educational background, graduate school may be the solution to your need for change in your working life.
Where you work and what you do for a career often has a big impact on personal happiness and fulfillment. It is not uncommon for college graduates to enter the field they have been prepared for by their Bachelor's degrees, only to find that they do not enjoy the work they are doing. If you feel that your job lacks meaning, is uninteresting, or is no longer in line with your values, you are likely considering your other options.
Graduate school is a good choice for those who have decided that their previous career is no longer the right choice for them. In graduate school, you can pursue a different area of study that builds on your previous education and experience but takes you in a different direction. For example, a student who majored in math as an undergraduate but later decides to become a teacher may pursue graduate studies in education in order to become a math teacher. There are many other options like this if you are willing to think outside of the box about how you can use advanced studies to take your career in a new direction.
Working for a few years, no matter what your field, is actually preferable to earning a graduate degree directly out of college. You will have learned a lot from your work experience, grown as a person, and gained a better understanding of your likes and dislikes. Do not think of your first career as a waste of time. Rather, look at it as an educational experience.
It will be up to you to determine if your educational background and work experience have adequately prepared you to earn a graduate degree. For example, if you have a Bachelor's degree along with some experience in Social Work, you may have already completed the prerequisites for graduate studies in Psychology or another Social Science.
If you were an English major in college, however, it is unlikely that you can jump right into a Master's program in accounting. In this case, find out from a graduate program that you are interested in what you must do to fulfill the prerequisites for the program.
Don't be daunted by the prospect of making a complete career change. People make dramatic alterations to their lives and careers at every stage of life. With some hard work, persistence, and the right educational opportunities, you can achieve your goals.
Finding the career that best suits you is an important part of your happiness. Graduate school may be able to help you find your true calling. Research graduate programs to find one that is right for you.
Where you work and what you do for a career often has a big impact on personal happiness and fulfillment. It is not uncommon for college graduates to enter the field they have been prepared for by their Bachelor's degrees, only to find that they do not enjoy the work they are doing. If you feel that your job lacks meaning, is uninteresting, or is no longer in line with your values, you are likely considering your other options.
Graduate school is a good choice for those who have decided that their previous career is no longer the right choice for them. In graduate school, you can pursue a different area of study that builds on your previous education and experience but takes you in a different direction. For example, a student who majored in math as an undergraduate but later decides to become a teacher may pursue graduate studies in education in order to become a math teacher. There are many other options like this if you are willing to think outside of the box about how you can use advanced studies to take your career in a new direction.
Working for a few years, no matter what your field, is actually preferable to earning a graduate degree directly out of college. You will have learned a lot from your work experience, grown as a person, and gained a better understanding of your likes and dislikes. Do not think of your first career as a waste of time. Rather, look at it as an educational experience.
It will be up to you to determine if your educational background and work experience have adequately prepared you to earn a graduate degree. For example, if you have a Bachelor's degree along with some experience in Social Work, you may have already completed the prerequisites for graduate studies in Psychology or another Social Science.
If you were an English major in college, however, it is unlikely that you can jump right into a Master's program in accounting. In this case, find out from a graduate program that you are interested in what you must do to fulfill the prerequisites for the program.
Don't be daunted by the prospect of making a complete career change. People make dramatic alterations to their lives and careers at every stage of life. With some hard work, persistence, and the right educational opportunities, you can achieve your goals.
Finding the career that best suits you is an important part of your happiness. Graduate school may be able to help you find your true calling. Research graduate programs to find one that is right for you.