Overview of Graduate Schools & Academic Opportunities | Careersopedia

Medical School

Mr. Creer — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 02:11:03 +0000

Medical School

A Medical School (aka Med School) program is intended to teach students about medicine, sciences, patient care and careers in medicine/healthcare. In other words, if you want to become a doctor, you need a Med School degree.

What type of individual usually gets this degree?

A Medical School degree is typically for those that wish to become a doctor and/or do medical-related research.

Necessary things to know about Medical School:

How long does it take to complete?

It takes 4 years to complete Med School, but you must also complete your residency before becoming a doctor (which is an additional 3-7 years).

What exams do I need to take before applying?

Medical school’s require applicants to take the MCAT, aka the Medical College Admission Test.

What experience is expected from Med School applicants?

While some applicants enter med school directly after graduating their undergraduate college program, it is becoming more and more common to take a gap year (or two) before beginning medical school. This is done in order to gain more relevant real-life, non-classwork experience.

Below are some examples of relevant experience that Med Schools tend to look for (either in the form of an internship while you are a student or a job after you graduate college):

Clinical Experience – such as Clinical Research and/or shadowing a physician
Research Experience
Related Job Experience (such as working for a healthcare company)
Teaching Experience

Some say that you need to have at least 100 hours of relevant experience to be considered a “competitive” candidate. While this is not a written rule, it can serve as a guide for a minimum required “extra-curricular” experience.

Average cost of a Medical School?

This figure varies a lot depending which college you attend, where it is located, whether you are an in-state or out of state student, etc. But, according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), the average cost is about $50k per year or ~$200k for a 4 year degree.

What skills are you expected to gain from Medical School?

As a Med School Student your experiences are split between healthcare/medical science-related coursework and real-life, extracurricular experiences. Some common class subjects are:

Biochemistry
Physiology
Pharmacology
Anatomy
Histology
Microbiology
Genetics

As students become older (usually 3rd and 4th years) their education expands beyond the classroom, with tasks such as:

Clinical Rotations
Shadow experienced doctors and medical professionals
Interview, write reports, and work a bit with patients

By the time your Med School education is complete, you will be prepared to begin your residency in the type of medicine you choose to specialize in.

What is a Residency?

A residency is a part of any medical school graduate’s training. It takes place after graduating a 4-year Med School, and before becoming a practicing doctor. The purpose of a medical residency is to give in-depth, hands-on training for a specific branch of medicine. Additionally, the typical length of a residency is anywhere between 3-7 years, depending on the specific type of medicine/speciality.

Most Common Industries and Jobs of Med school graduates:

Most Med School graduates become doctors upon graduation. There are many different types of doctors you can choose to become. Some are more generalist like a Primary Care Physician, but others are more specialized and focus on a specific type of medicine/practice.

What are some challenges of doing a Medical School program?

Takes a very long time to become a doctor/complete the program
Can be very expensive
Long work/study hours, can be exhausting
Difficult and long application process
Very competitive (to get in, and while a student)

What are some benefits of doing a Medical School program?

High future/potential compensation as a doctor
Doctors have good job security
Not limited by location
Saving lives and helping people feel better and be healthier
Very valuable part of society
Difficult to get in, so it is a great accomplishment and highly reputable

Typical Salary of first-year graduate?

For a first year resident (someone who just completed Medical school and is now completing their residency), the average salary is ~$60k, according to the American Medical Association (AMA)

For a full-fledged doctor (Med School graduate and completed your residency), the average salary varies a lot based on location, experience, and type of patients you see. However, according to ZipRecruiter, the average salary is between $173k and $236k.

Should I go to Medical School?

If you want to become a doctor and/or become a medical research, you should consider going to Medical school. Although it is a long road to becoming a doctor, it is one of the most highly respected, well-compensated, and rewarding jobs out there. You not only live well but can significantly impact many people’s lives with your work.

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Specialty Doctor (Specialist)

Primary Care Physician (PCP)

Clinical Researcher

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PhD

Mr. Creer — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 02:54:12 +0000

PhD

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and higher education institutions to a candidate who has submitted a thesis or dissertation, based on extensive and original research in a specific field. The details of a PhD program vary depending on the subject you’re studying the professor(s) you work with, and the University you are attending.

However, in general, a PhD is the highest level of degree a student can achieve in a specific subject. It usually follows a master’s degree, although some institutions also allow students to progress straight to a PhD from their bachelor’s degree.¹

What type of individual usually gets this degree?

A PhD is considered by some to be the pinnacle of academic achievement. It represents years of commitment to extensively researching, and studying a specific academic field. And after, you can be called a “Doctor” and a specialist in a subject.

Since a PhD takes a lot of time and hard work, it is important that you are deeply passionate about the subject you are studying. Individuals that get a PhD typically wish to continue their education at the highest level to best prepare them for their respective industry and/or want to become a professor of that subject at a university.

Necessary things to know about a PhD:

How long does it take to complete?

Varies depending on the program, but usually somewhere between 3-6 years

What exams do I need to take before applying?

In the US, the GRE is usually the required exam but some schools accept the GMAT instead.

What experience is expected from PhD applicants?

Bachelor’s degree required. Often a Master’s degree is also required or strongly suggested, but some programs allow students to go directly from completing undergrad.

Additionally, PhD’s involve a lot of research under a specific professor so having experience researching in a relevant field of study (or even for the specific professor you are studying under) can help your application a lot.

Average salary/tuition of a PhD?

A nice thing about a PhD, compared to other graduate school programs, is that you usually do not have to pay! The university covers your tuition and pays you a modest stipend/salary.

Average pay is between $15k-$30k per year.

What skills are you expected to gain from a PhD program?

As a PhD student you become an expert in your field. You work closely with a professor and do research directly under them. This direct exposure to your professor (and likely other experts in the field) is a unique, hands-on learning experience.

What do people usually do after getting their PhD?

A lot of PhDs become a professor, however, for those that wish to leave academia, there are plenty of opportunities in their respective industry.

What are some challenges of doing a PhD program?

A PhD won’t necessarily help you get a job, unless it is research/academia related since many jobs do not require such an advanced degree.
Spending all of your time focusing on your field of study for a long time can be overwhelming.
Seeing your friends and colleagues already receive their second or third promotion by the time you’ve finally finished your PhD can be difficult.
Prospective employers may view you as overqualified and under experienced, especially if you try to venture outside your specific field of research.
These programs do not pay well, compared to other full-time jobs for undergraduate/master’s degree graduates.²

What are some benefits of doing a PhD program?

You get to be called a Doctor!
Learn to take (sometimes harsh) criticism from your professor and others when presenting your research findings.
Will gain strong research and analytical skills (if in a research/analytical based program).
Intellectually satisfying, since this is the highest academic degree one can achieve.
You will be a recognized expert in your field through your degree and papers/research you write.
Some jobs actually require you to have a PhD or equivalent.
Extensive opportunity to continue learning. If you pick a field that you enjoy this is a fantastic way to deeply immerse yourself in the subject matter.

Should I get a PhD?

Getting a PhD is not easy. It takes a lot of work, and a lot of academic achievement in order to get the opportunity. However, if you have a serious interest in a subject, and want to research and work closely with experts in the field, you should consider continuing your education through a PhD.

Working as a PhD student is not a job for making money. It can be a stepping stone to a successful and comfortable career, but the type of people that thrive in the position are people that have a vested interest and passion in the field they wish to study in. Furthermore, it is absolutely crucial to have a good relationship with your PhD research advisor as they will be a source of wisdom and guidance when you inevitably run into problems in your work. While a PhD position is often considered “being paid to be a student”, the responsibility of learning usually falls on you because the subject area you are investigating is usually on the forefront of the field and is not being taught widely in the classroom.

The day to day responsibilities vary greatly depending on what field you are working in, and depending on where your funding for research is coming from (the department you’re apart of, your phd advisor, or a fellowship) there may be additional responsibilities that you need to take on such as being a Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant or doing paper work for the department.

If you decide to do a PhD, it has to be because you are interested in research, and more specifically what you are doing work in. If you are doing a PhD for prestige or for a better job you will not be satisfied.

And hey, being called a Doctor is kind of nice too!

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Law School

Mr. Creer — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:02:07 +0000

Law School

Law School is a graduate school degree designed to develop knowledge about the law and eventually become a lawyer. This degree is also called the Juris Doctor (J.D.) Law degree.

What type of individual usually gets this degree?

A law degree is typically designed for those that wish to practice law and become attorneys/lawyers. However, many people say that having a degree in and an understanding of law can be very beneficial for business and other applications as well.

Necessary things to know about Law School:

How long does it take to complete?

A typical law school program takes 3 years to complete if taken on a full-time basis.

What exams do I need to take before applying?

Law school’s require applicants to take the LSAT.

What experience is expected from Law School applicants?

Law school’s require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree (completed undergraduate/college). While some strong candidates can get into top law programs straight after college, it is often a good idea to get some relevant work experience before applying for law school.

Some examples of relevant work experience include (but are not limited to):

Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Research/Analyst working for a Professor, Politician, etc.
Investment Banking
Consulting

Average cost of a Law School?

The cost varies depending which university you attend, but one can expect to pay anywhere between $85k and $150k to complete a three year program.¹

What skills are you expected to gain from Law School?

All programs are structured slightly differently, but tend to include the following coursework/subject matter:

Torts – Learn about harmful and illegal acts under civil law.
Contracts – Learn the law governing the system of conditions and obligations a contract represents, as well as the legal resolutions available when contracts are breached.
Civil Procedure – The study of the often complicated rules that explain who can sue whom, and how, when, and where they can do it.
Property – The laws governing the purchase, possession, and sale of property in the U.S.
Criminal Law – Law related to crime.
Constitutional Law – “Con. law” emphasizes issues of government structure and individual rights.
Legal Methods – Aka “Legal Research” or “Writing or Elements of the Law.” This subject is designed to help you acquire fundamental skills in legal research, analysis, and writing. ²

Most Common Industries and Jobs of Law school graduates:

Some common industries/types of jobs for graduates of law school include (but are not limited to):

Law firms aka private practice
Business (can be any sort of business-related role at a law or not-law related company)
Government & Military
Public Interest
Judicial Clerkship

What are some challenges of doing a Law program?

Expensive – This program costs a lot of money and it sometimes is difficult to spend that much money.
Competitive/Stressful – Getting into law school is competitive, and so is being successful in law school. It often is a lot of work and pressure to perform well is be stressful.
Takes time – Not everybody has the luxury to not work a full-time job for 3 years. Sometimes is difficult to take time off from work to continue your education.

What are some benefits of doing a Law program?

Build Critical thinking skills
Meet very smart, hard-working people who will likely be successful down the line
If you have been working for some time, it can be nice to go back to school and have a change of pace (and refocus your future/career path)
Opportunity to learn about the law
Gain significant credentials by having a advanced law degree
More Job opportunities

Typical Salary of first-year graduate?

Salaries vary a lot depending where the graduate decides to work. If they go into the private sector and work for a company like a law-firm, U.S. News Data shows that the average salary is ~$88k.

However, if you go into the public sector the average entry-level salary is much lower (~$55k). ³

Should I go to Law School?

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer/attorney and/or want to become a bit of an expert in law, you should consider getting your law degree. While it takes 3 years and a bit of money, gaining a law degree significantly adds to ones credentials and opens many opportunities for them, especially legal careers.

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Litigation Lawyer (Litigator)

Corporate Lawyer

Paralegal

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MBA (Masters Of Business Administration)

Mr. Creer — Sun, 03 May 2020 04:37:48 +0000

MBA (Masters Of Business Administration)

An MBA, or a Masters of Business Administration, aka “Business School” is a graduate school degree designed to develop skills in business, finance, and management.

All MBA programs are structured slightly differently, but tend to include the following coursework:

Accounting
Economics
Marketing
Operations
And some number of courses (aka “electives”) you can pick that are more specific to your interests and desires.

What type of individual usually gets this degree?

People who wish to learn about business, management, finance, etc. material.
Individuals looking for a career change into industries like business, finance, consulting, etc.
Those who wish to have a clearer path to senior roles at their company.
- Some companies only promote their employees to senior positions if they have an MBA.
Those looking to build a network amongst business and finance professionals.

Necessary things to know about an MBA:

How long does it take to complete?

Typically takes two years to complete. However, some take accelerated versions that are completed in one year (not common).

What exams do I need to take before applying?

Most schools expect you to take the “GMAT” aka the Graduate Management Admission Test. Additionally, the score of this exam usually is a very important factor in admission decisions.

However, some schools allow other exams like the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) instead.

What experience is expected from Business School applicants?

Business Schools typically expect you to have a:

Four year Bachelor’s Degree
On average, 2-4 years of work experience (not always required but often is expected & helps your admissions chances)

Average cost of a Business School?

Once you add up all the expenses, a two year MBA can cost anywhere between $100k-$225k depending where you get your degree.

Excluding additional expenses like books, rent, etc: The average yearly tuition is between $30k-50k per year. However, amongst the top 15 business schools, the average tuition is above $60k (with some being close to $80k per year).

What skills are you expected to gain from an MBA program?

This program provides you with the ability to:

Find smart and creative business solutions.
Analyze a lot of data/information and use this information appropriately.
Gain leadership qualities, like how to motivate and manage others.
Gain entrepreneurial experience and skill – aka the ability to launch and run a new business.
And gain any other skills that allow you to succeed as a business executive.

Most Common Industries and Jobs of MBA graduates:

The most common industries/jobs for MBA graduates are business, finance, or management roles. Some common ones include:

MBA graduates typically get paid more and enter a company at a slightly more senior position than someone that is also entry-level, but only has an undergraduate degree.

What are some challenges of doing an MBA program?

Expensive – if your employer (or someone else) isn’t paying for your degree, it can be difficult to take (usually) two years without a salary and need to pay tuition.
Time Commitment – They usually take two years, or at least one year. Not everyone can easily take this amount of time off from work.
Competitive – Not all MBAs are created equal; it is very competitive to get into a strong program, and stand out amongst the crowd (both when you apply, and while you are looking for a job and competing with other MBA graduates).

What are some benefits of doing an MBA program?

Build strong relationships – arguably the largest value of an MBA is the networking. You learn and grow with future business leaders of the world.
Learn business and entrepreneurship skills from brilliant business minds – besides coursework, there are often guest speakers throughout an MBA program who have run successful businesses.
Increase your business credibility – people often assume you are more educated and experienced in business, management, and leadership after getting an MBA.
Increase communication skills – since you are networking a lot during an MBA, you become a stronger communicator.
Broadens your career opportunities – many jobs are available to you after completing an MBA and often times you enter your new job at a more senior position than you would otherwise, without an MBA degree.
A nice break from the grind of work – sometimes people are a bit tired or burned out from working and going back to school to get an MBA is a nice change of pace.

Typical Salary of first-year graduate?

This figure varies greatly depending on the industry the graduate chooses to work in. But the average salary for a first year MBA graduate is about $110k according to AllBusinessSchools.com.

Should I get an MBA degree?

If you believe an MBA degree can help you advance your career, you want to build a business/finance network, or you want to have the opportunity to learn about business and management, you should consider looking further into an MBA.

The most common “concerns” people have are (a) the cost of tuition + other expenses and (b) the time it takes to complete an MBA. However, despite this, an MBA provides a fantastic opportunity to grow, build your resume/credibility, meet influential business people and get back to school for a bit.

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Master’s Degree

Mr. Creer — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 04:14:14 +0000

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree is an advanced graduate degree that shows a high level of expertise in a particular subject. This degree is typically pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree (aka an undergraduate, college degree). You may choose to get a master’s degree in order to:

Continue your education, and learn more about a specific subject/field of study
Improve your opportunities for career advancement in a specific field
Increase your salary, or to
Improve your appeal as a job candidate.¹

Additionally, this degree usually requires between 30 and 60 academic credits to complete (aka 1-2 years as a full-time student).

What type of individual usually gets this degree?

There are a number of reasons one gets a graduate-level Master’s degree. Below are some common examples:

Job requirements – Some jobs require a master’s degree as a minimum qualification for employment. For example often times a master’s degree is required to earn a license to teach in public schools.
Salary bumps and senior-level job placement – Individuals that want to skip entry-level jobs and immediately start in higher-paying roles. Many senior-professional jobs require an advanced degree.
Looking for a change of pace – Those who wish to switch industries/career focuses or wish to go back to school and take a break from the work life can pursue a Master’s degree. For example, if someone has worked in finance for 4-5 years after college but wishes to get into a tech role, they could get a master’s degree in a tech-related subject (like computer science) and recruit for a software/tech focused career upon completion.

What types of Master’s Degree are there?

Master of Arts (MA) – Includes most liberal arts, humanities and social sciences, such as english, political science, education, history, etc.
Master of Sciences (MS) – Includes most STEM field subjects, such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, etc.
Online Master’s Degrees – These types of degrees are growing in popularity nowadays due to increased flexibility (remote learning) and lower costs. One can complete an online master’s degree at a number of institutions and receive a similar level or work-intensity. Of course, you will not be able to experience the on-campus benefits of an in person degree.

Necessary things to know about a Master’s:

How long does it take to complete?

If pursued as a full-time student, typically takes 1-2 years to complete (30-60 academic credits).

What exams do I need to take before applying?

Usually need to take the GRE, but some schools accept the GMAT. Additionally, some schools allow applicants to omit testing all together if they’ve met certain academic requirements. However, this scenario is more rare and you should check the school’s specific website to see which exam(s) they require.

What experience is expected from Master’s school applicants?

Typically, only a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate/college degree) is required. However some programs may require some work experience as well.

Average cost of a Master’s degree?

The cost varies greatly depending on the program, field of study, and university offering the master’s program. This price can range from anywhere between $30k (for smaller institutions) to $120k (for more elite, private universities).

Additionally, online programs tend to be the cheapest since they are remote learning programs and are more flexible.

What skills are you expected to gain from a Master’s program?

Master’s programs are designed to provide the student with a specialized skillset they usually do not get during college. Typically, all the coursework is based on that specific subject and the subject matter is more extensive. Whereas for an undergraduate college degree, students are often required to take many different types of classes that may or may not be related to their major.

For example, an undergraduate Computer Science degree will usually teach students the basics plus a little more, whereas a master’s degree allows a student to dive deeper into that field of study and become more of an “expert”.

What are some challenges of doing a Master’s program?

Intense workload – coursework is usually difficult and extensive
Can be expensive – University tuitions are increasing every year, and it is not always easy to spend more money on obtaining a degree.
Takes time – not everybody has the freedom to not work for another year or two while advancing their education.

What are some benefits of doing a Master’s program?

Continued Education – Can build expertise and become more of a specialist at a certain field of study.
Increased Credentials – Having a graduate degree in a certain subject gives employers more reason to believe you are a strong and able candidate.
Change of pace – Allows you to go back to school which has many added benefits like being able to get a break from the work-world and/or can redirect your career path by gaining education/experience in a different field.

Typical Salary of first-year graduate?

This varies a lot depending on the master’s degree the graduate receives, but on average, a first year graduate makes ~$55k per year.²

Should I get a Master’s Degree?

If you would like to continue your education and get a more focused, specialized learning experience you should consider getting a graduate-level master’s degree. Furthermore, if you feel you are stuck in an industry or in a specific role and would like to lateral, going back to school and getting a master’s degree is a good way to take a break and gain relevant experience in a new field.

The average salary for those with a master’s degree tends to be higher than those with just a bachelor’s degree, so if you can afford to take time off and spend money on tuition, it can certainly be a good move for the long term future of your career.

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