“Why should I think about graduate school?”
This is a question I frequently get when talking to students about graduate opportunities. If you have never considered a graduate degree, I urge you to read on.”

Unlike a bachelor’s degree, which prepares you for a job, a graduate degree prepares you to shape your career. An advanced degree greatly expands your professional opportunities and gives you a competitive edge over others. It substantially increases your earnings, and the earnings advantage is not only present at job entry, but it grows over the course of a lifetime. What’s more, with opportunities now available, it is possible that someone else will pay for this investment in your career.

Here are some tips to help you prepare.

It’s never too early to plan.
Even if you are only in your second year of undergraduate study, begin thinking now about your post-graduation plans. The first step is to discover who you are and what excites you, and then make a plan. There are highly qualified counselors at Career Connection (Career-Connection@osu.edu) to help you with this process.

Build relationships.
You can learn a lot about graduate programs and what it is like to be a graduate student just by talking to your professors, TAs, mentors, and peers. Visit your instructors and ask them what they do and why chose their careers.

Try a research experience.
An important step in preparing for graduate study is doing undergraduate research. A research experience can show you what an academic or research career is like. You will be involved in cutting-edge discoveries in your field and will learn important research skills. Undergraduate research connects you with others who share your interests and who have valuable experience to share. Finally, undergraduate research helps you establish relationships with faculty who can write strong letters of recommendation whether you plan to go on to graduate school or to the job market.

How can you get research experience?
There are many opportunities to conduct research with a faculty mentor—and to get paid while you do it. The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) pays you a stipend to do research over the summer. The Student Achievement in Research (STARS) program provides an allowance for research done during the year. You can surf the Web to find many other programs nationwide.

Get help with your applications.
If you have decided to pursue graduate study, note that there are many resources to help you prepare competitive applications. Visit the Writing Center and Career Connection for tips and strategies. Become familiar with graduate admissions timetables, plan out the process and set visible goals. Your advisors and professors are critical allies. Visit me, I’m eager to help you get started.

The world is open to you.
As an undergraduate, you stand at the threshold of adventure and discovery. You have the potential to shape the knowledge base and productivity of our society. Many are willing to invest in your academic and professional development. Take up this challenge!

Yolanda Zepeda is Director of enrichment programs in the Graduate School. She welcomes inquiries about undergraduate research and graduate school opportunities (Zepeda.3@osu.edu).