Interview #2

NAME: Alison Hinsberger
YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior, Undergraduate
SCHOOL IN ATTENDANCE: DePauw University

1) Do you plan on going to graduate school?

Yes

2) Where do you plan on going to graduate school?

I will be attending Northwestern University: Physical Therapy and Human
Movement Sciences

3) Why did you decide graduate school was right for you?

Sophomore year is when I realized I wanted to become a physical
therapist, even if it meant packing my schedule with prerequisites and
spending almost 3 more years in school.

4) How have you prepared throughout your undergrad experience for
graduate school?

I think exposing yourself to the type of work you want to do is crucial.
It is important to check it out before you spend more time in school. I
used internships and volunteering as a way to know what I wanted to do.
I also think it is important for students to be driven and crave a
challenge. Although I haven't started my program yet, I have heard a lot
about the increased level of difficulty. I hope I will be prepared
because of the commitment to academics that I have established in
Undergrad.

5) What would you recommend to other underclassmen?

Stay focused, but make sure to prioritize. Sometimes it is necessary to
take a break or a vacation in order to later accomplish something. It is
important to make sure there is a part of your life you dedicate to
school and another side that has other interests.

6) Do you think grad school is important/necessary for everyone?

No. I don't think every career needs more education. When you're dealing
with the medical field, of course, but I think other careers are better
learned through experience.

7) What internships/volunteering/work have you done to prepare for
your future?

I spent one January term on an independent study that explored the field
of physical therapy. I set up three internships over a month long period
that all specialized in different fields of Physical therapy. The
experience showed me the options and variations that Physical therapy
can have. Also, I learned a lot about how to interact with patients. I
also volunteered consistently throughout junior and senior year a couple
hours a week at different physical therapy clinics as an aid.

8) What do you hope to accomplish career wise?

I hope to become a practicing Physical Therapist with a long career. At
some point I have interests in teaching students of physical therapy and
Kinesiology.

Real Life. Real World. Interviews.

I think the best use of a blog or information site is to present real-world interviews. I will be doing a series of interviews of Juniors or Seniors in Undergraduate study. These individuals have studied abroad, have plans to study abroad, and are thinking about post-graduation.

INTERVIEW #1

NAME: Suzanne Cunningham
HOMETOWN: Ogden Dunes, Indiana
YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior, Undergraduate
SCHOOL IN ATTENDANCE: DePauw University
MAJOR: English Writing
MINOR: Spanish

1) What are your plans for post-graduation?

After volunteering for a month in Cameroon and living in Spain for five months, I
have naturally developed an interest in international affairs. I hope that one day I will be accepted into the Peace Corps, so I will be able to give my skills, love, time, and passion to help and learn from less fortunate citizens around the world. After 27 months of service, I plan on acquiring my M.B.A. in international affairs.

2) Why are you interested in the Peace Corps?

As a global citizen, I feel it is my duty to work hard, volunteer, and appreciate my privileged life. I want to help the less fortunate around the world and, in doing so, widen my global outlook by immersing myself in a new culture and learning from the people I encounter. My strong background in English writing will benefit the Peace Corps English education programs and the organization’s attempts to raise public awareness on global affairs through articles and books.

3) Do you think you will look into graduate school? In Indiana?

Looking instate would be more economical and is an option. However, I want to explore many universities and find the school that best fits my interests.

4) What have you been doing to prepare for post-graduation?

Academically, I have focused on advancing my Spanish speaking skills.
The Peace Corps needs members that are proficient in another language in order to assist in improving communication barriers within certain countries.

Besides academics, volunteer work is my main priority on DePauw’s campus. From volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters to being a Relay for Life Captain, I thoroughly enjoy volunteer work.

5) Why is it important to you (and others) to finish school and
formulate a post-graduation plan?

If allowed, many opportunities may pass students up. Students today need to be proactive and focused in order to achieve their dreams. A student doesn’t necessarily have to know what he or she wants to do upon graduating from college; however, they should set themselves up for success by maintaining high academic goals and staying involved on campus. By volunteering and studying Spanish at DePauw University, I am developing skills that would benefit the Peace Corps. Acquiring these skills will make my acceptance into P.C. more likely.

For me, graduating from college today is like graduating from high school, expected. Therefore, I want to distinguish myself by obtaining my M.B.A. in order to stand out to potential employers.

**Helpful Web sites and articles to occupy your time over Winter Break**

BEST BUSINESS SCHOOLS – IU IS RANKED 20^TH!

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/mba/search

BEST LAW SCHOOLS – NOTRE DAME IS RANKED 22^ND!

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/law/search

PAYING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL – GREAT ARTICLE ON “GRAD SCHOOL PAYOFF”

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/paying-for-graduate-school/2008/03/21/the-grad-school-payoff.html

HOW TO GET FINANCIAL AID FOR GRAD SCHOOL

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-graduate-schools/2008/03/26/how-to-get-financial-aid-for-grad-school.html

Life Decisions

Just coming off of Thanksgiving Break, I can't help being confronted with the fact that I only have two more weeks of school, finals, and then I am a second semester Junior. It seems like just yesterday I was picking my sophomore classes . . . feeling like I had so much school left. But that is not the case. I am at a critical point where my Winter Break will be filled with "planning" decisions. Going over two main questions—do I look for a job straight out of graduation or do I consider going to graduate school?

For the first year and a half of college I assumed I would go straight into a job after my graduation in May 2010. I had big plans of going into advertising, working for ad campaigns. But that was before the realization that the economy might not be able to sustain me and my dream job right off the bat. I may be passed up for someone else. Dreadful yes. The thought of not even being a part of my assumed career field is and was extremely disheartening. But I had to realize jobs and careers are not what they were for our parents or grandparents. Most people switch around jobs after a year, most of the time getting their feet wet in a job field completely unrelated to what they may have wanted or got a degree for.

So what is the counterbalance to this uneasiness? Adding another choice into the equation of course. At the end of my sophomore year I started thinking about pursuing a master's degree straight out of school instead of job hunting. Recently I have heard buzz that graduate school is becoming more and more of a prerequisite for established companies. They want knowledge, proof of dedication, and satisfaction that they are hiring well-educated, well-studied, and cooperative pupils. 

With all of my friends around me thinking out loud about medical school, veterinarian school, and business school, I realized that we are all being given the opportunity to take our knowledge to the next level. Studying for another two years will most likely pay off down the road. 

My advice: Keep your mind open. If you are a junior like me, take your winter break to think about your options. If you are a senior, I'm assuming you may have already made your decision, but if not, search for that job. Or see if grad school could benefit you. 

I'm ready to explore my options.

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL AN OPTION?

Have you ever thought about graduate school?

Yes, even more school. Yes, another standardized admissions test. Yes, another graduation. Yes, more exams and finals. But despite all of these “obstacles,” graduate school may be something more and more students and adults look into as the job market gets tougher and tougher. Today a Bachelor’s degree or specialized or Associate’s degree is common. Graduate school may give you an edge over other candidates in your career field.

Getting your Master’s degree is a great goal, as graduate school will give you a more in-depth specialization and education in a field. From there, some people go on to get their PhD, becoming an expert in their field with a path towards a future in the academic world. Know that grad school is an option. Consider it while you have the chance!