Are You Grad School Material?
Feb 19, 2010 Graduate Degree
Over five million people have lost their jobs since early 2008. People, whether laid off or stagnant in their current workplace, are applying to graduate school programs at an increasing rate, but there is a lot to consider before doing so. Primary among them is to decide if you can balance the increased workload in your existing schedule and personal life. Here are some things for you to think about:
1. How do I want to spend the years between now and retirement? Depending on the industry in which you currently work (or are laid off from) a graduate degree can move you up the ladder like nothing else. However, the additional time and expense isn’t necessary to advance in other fields. If you are considering changing your existing career and want a leg up on other incoming professionals, then having more than an undergraduate degree could make all the difference. Before committing your time and resources to seeking a new degree, make sure that you are clear on why you are doing so. The most obvious reasons are because you’d like to advance your current career, obtain a specialty or get a certain certification.
2. What are the costs involved? The last thing anyone wants to do in a tough economy is go deeper into debt to pay for schooling. If you have a cash reserve or think that you’ll qualify for a grant, fellowship or scholarship, that’s a different story. You could always ask your current employer if they offer tuition reimbursement if you intend on staying in the same area of study. If you have decided that this is the time for you to change your direction, perhaps you should consider getting an entry level job at a company that offers financial help for education before you start.
3. Will I be accepted? Even in non recession years, getting accepted into a graduate program is serious business. With an increase in applicants during hard times, schools openings can be hard to come by. If you’ve already established some work experience, however, you may be in a better position than a recent college graduate, so there’s hope!
4. How will I make it work for me? First you need to be honest with yourself about what kind of student you have been in the past. If you are great at multitasking, perhaps you can keep a part-time job while you begin your program. If, however, you know from experience that you need to be able to focus entirely on the task at hand, you’ll need to have enough cash reserves to get you through without having to work while you study.
With an increased workload and financial burden, one way to make graduate work rewarding is to choose an area of study that you are passionate about. That way, you are enjoying the process in addition to looking forward to a rewarding future.
Shelly Clark is an education writer who specializes in higher education topics which include online degree programs, student loans, online college scholarships, and online graduate programs.
Tags: college, education, Graduate Degree, Graduate Degrees, graduate school, graduate schools, Higher Education, university
MBA Ranking – How the Best Online MBA Programs Measure up
Feb 4, 2010 Graduate Degree
There are several individuals out there today who want to get an MBA ranking for their careers. It builds stature amongst peers and with the company as a whole. Unfortunately, life seems to take over and you may not feel like you have the time. The truth is you can with an online MBA program.
It’s possible you might think it’s impossible to get an MBA ranking utilizing an online MBA program, but it’s very possible. Nowadays, you will find that this option may be even better than a traditional MBA. One of the biggest reasons for this is because the students are able to work full-time in their fields and still keep the information fresh from schooling.
The Internet options also allow this to be a worldwide adventure. This means the value of cross-cultural exposure is imminent. If you’re looking to get an MBA ranking then we highly recommend you take a look at the reputations and values that revolve around the three listed below.
Instituto de Empresa (IE) – The Instituto de Empresa (IE) is located in Madrid, Spain, and gets top marks for its global MBA program. The program itself takes 18 months, and is available for both Spanish and English speakers. You can connect to the program from anywhere in the world. The program consists of videoconferencing and virtual lectures, and students must also participate in so-called “blended sessions” from different cities.
The program can host individuals from 48 different countries and offer diversity at its best. If you’re looking for strengths from this online MBA you will find banking, financial markets, technology and marketing, and various other benefits. The total tuition cost here is around $43,000.
Thunderbird School of Global Management – Those who have experienced schooling from the Thunderbird School of Global Management have reported several successes along the way. They offer both on-site and online MBA programs mostly due to their Arizona, USA location. Thunderbird has been touted by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times as the #1 ranked school with international business world or international programs available today.
Both the virtual and traditional classroom are used in this program, with on-site seminars located in Europe, China, and the United States, and virtual classrooms available anywhere. Students of the program come from 16 different countries and have a wide range of experience and professional backgrounds, including experience with the US Department of Defense, Coca-Cola, and Boeing.
The program has a strong emphasis on everything “global,” including operations, marketing, leadership, negotiations, strategy, and finance, as well as political economy. Cross-cultural communication skills are enhanced, because of the wide-ranging and diverse backgrounds and experiences in the student population. Cost for attendance is $57,000, which includes costs necessary to go on-site for study trips, excluding airfare.
Duke University – If you’re looking for more of a notorious university, then the first option has to be Duke located in North Carolina, USA. They have a top MBA ranking and programs that last for only 20 months. Keep in mind there is a nine 1 week blending periods that utilizes on-site residential sessions. These can be found in Asia, Europe, and the North Carolina area as well.
There are 23 countries that help to make up this MBA ranking population, and the majority has 3-9 years of experience in a particular field. Enhancing your abilities in global economics, marketing strategies, finances and a host of others can be done with their online MBA classes. Since Duke is considered as one of the premier places to go, the cost here is around $94,000. It’s a little more, but well worth the value of their MBA ranking.
Learn more about how your school’s MBA ranking can affect your career prospects. Stop by Roger Collins’ site where you can find the latest MBA ranking info including tips on securing your ideal position.
Tags: Graduate Degree, Mba Degree, Mba Ranking, online mba