Barrett alumna Amanda Hinkle held a discussion offering advice to students on how they can set the stage for life after graduation.
On Feb.19, Hinkle discussed practical strategies students can implement now for future benefits, including the pros and cons of pursuing a graduate degree.
Hinkle said she is a big supporter of graduate school and believes in the value advanced degrees offer. Key benefits of obtaining a graduate degree are higher pay and the ability to substitute years of work experience.
Starting salaries for master's degree holders are on average 31% higher than bachelor's degree holders, Hinkle said. Between 2016 to 2026 an expected 17% increase in job positions will require a master's degree.
"This gives you more variety of positions that you can apply to and is a way to stand out from your peers," Hinkle said.
An intangible benefit of this degree is the networking opportunities.
"Who you know is so very important when it comes to finding the right job, and grad school is the perfect place to build those relationships," Hinkle said.
Savannah Whitby, a sophomore studying psychology, has gone back and forth when deciding if graduate school is right for her.
The duration and cost of the degree program are her biggest concerns. Whitby is leaning toward entering the workforce and settling in first with the option to pursue an advanced degree in the future.
Cost is a deterrent for many students, with the average graduate school expenses ranging from $45,000 to $71,000, Hinkle said.
To ease the financial burden many schools offer scholarships, fellowships, grants and more.
"You often do have to dig a little bit more to learn about them and knock on some doors, and then they can still be competitive," Hinkle said.
Another potential con of attending is the intensity of the work required. Hinkle said the coursework dives deeper into a chosen career versus undergraduate school, which requires general education courses.
ASU's accelerated master’s programs offer flexibility and the opportunity to reduce cost and coursework by completing graduate-level classes during an undergraduate program, Hinkle said.
While graduate school offers some advantages, many students choose to head straight into the workforce after graduation.
Hinkle said this route tends to have a lot of competition, so fresh graduates should be prepared to submit countless applications in the job hunting process.
A big catch for this path is underemployment. While it is OK to start there and gain experience, Hinkle said, the key is not staying in the same position too long.
“You're not going to be making as big a paycheck as you could if you had an advanced degree," Hinkle said.
According to CNBC, the job market is currently in a low-fire and low-hire phase, Hinkle said. This means there are not many people losing their jobs but consequently, companies are not doing much hiring.
Case Foster, a graduate student studying aerospace engineering said he decided to pursue this degree because "the job market is kind of terrible right now entry-level wise."
Foster said upon graduation he will take any job he can acquire for experience. Once he understands his worth as an engineer he intends to negotiate for a higher position.
ASU is No. 2 in the U.S. for employability among public universities. Entering the workforce after graduation offers a chance to gain practical experience, reach financial independence, build a reputation with a company and grow skills.
The key is to find something students truly enjoy, as the average person spends more than 90,000 hours, or one-third of their life at work, according to McKinsey Health Institute, Hinkle said.
As far as preparation work that can be done now, Hinkle advises students to engage with their community. These opportunities can be clubs, activities, life prep conferences or keeping an open mind to learn about new topics.
If students have time in their schedule Hinkle recommends internships, as they are valuable for gaining experience and could lead to employment.
Students need to take advantage of all the resources like career services and professors who know the industry and can have connections to potential job opportunities, she said.
To stand out from other candidates Hinkle recommends working on communication, etiquette and interpersonal skills.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, some of the the top attributes employers look for on a resume include problem-solving skills, the ability to work in a team and written communication skills.
Hinkle's biggest takeaway for students is to not be afraid of pushing boundaries. Explore what is out there, whether that means knocking on doors, having meetings or doing research, Hinkle said.
"You never know what might spark your interest and be a fit," Hinkle said.
Edited by Alysa Horton, Sophia Ramirez, and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at nrodri74@asu.edu.
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Natalia is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in creative writing. This is her second semester at The State Press.
