What should I compare when deciding between a job offer and graduate school?
Start with the work and expertise you want in the future. Compare the job’s duties, location, conditions, and opportunities for growth with the graduate program’s research topic, supervision, and paths after completion. Also consider tuition and living costs, the experience and income gained by working, the time required to complete the degree, the demands of each option, and the choices each may leave open, then judge which fits both your near-term and long-term goals.
Key points
- Compare how each option fits your future goals, desired work, and expertise.
- Check the concrete costs, income, time commitment, and other demands.
- Review the job description and employment conditions, and the program’s curriculum, research environment, and career information.
- If uncertain, speak with practitioners in the field and with graduate faculty or current students.
Things to check
- Graduate-school arrangements and job conditions vary by university, graduate school, academic year, and employer, so check official information and the specific employment terms offered.