I wanted to weigh in in favor of going to grad school. If you're getting rejected for jobs you'd really enjoy, and what stands between you and those jobs is a master's degree, then it seems like going for the master's is the best thing to do. This is assuming you're getting turned down for this reason, of course. If what you need is connections and/or seniority in an organization/field, then sticking with low-wage stuff for a while longer might pay off in the long run; but if they want academic credentials, and you really want that kind of job, then get thee to grad school!
I respectfully disagree with Sylvie that most people get really burnt out during grad school. I know quite a lot of grad students and while some are indeed burned out, they're a minority. As a grad student, I think grad school is fun and I would recommend it to anyone. Not all graduate programs are particularly expensive; if you can get in-state tuition somewhere, or a RA- or TA-ship, it might not be that much of a strain financially. I think Sylvie's thoughts on grad school could be translated straightforwardly into my thoughts on temping. Not that temping isn't a bad way to fund a master's...
Maybe you could follow-up at someplace that turned you down for a job and ask them why. It would be scary but it could be quite informative!
PS. If you are leaving Vermont, does that mean you're coming back through Massachusetts sometime soon?
I wanted to weigh in in favor of going to grad school. If you're getting rejected for jobs you'd really enjoy, and what stands between you and those jobs is a master's degree, then it seems like going for the master's is the best thing to do. This is assuming you're getting turned down for this reason, of course. If what you need is connections and/or seniority in an organization/field, then sticking with low-wage stuff for a while longer might pay off in the long run; but if they want academic credentials, and you really want that kind of job, then get thee to grad school!
I respectfully disagree with Sylvie that most people get really burnt out during grad school. I know quite a lot of grad students and while some are indeed burned out, they're a minority. As a grad student, I think grad school is fun and I would recommend it to anyone. Not all graduate programs are particularly expensive; if you can get in-state tuition somewhere, or a RA- or TA-ship, it might not be that much of a strain financially. I think Sylvie's thoughts on grad school could be translated straightforwardly into my thoughts on temping. Not that temping isn't a bad way to fund a master's...
Maybe you could follow-up at someplace that turned you down for a job and ask them why. It would be scary but it could be quite informative!
PS. If you are leaving Vermont, does that mean you're coming back through Massachusetts sometime soon?
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