seductions of graduate school
Graduate school is irresistible for a group of students who excel at prestigious colleges.
You can do more of what makes you good at school if you are accepted into a prestigious business school, law school or medical school. Instead of being able to choose what you do next, you’re given a badge of high status, a route to a lucrative job and the opportunity to spend several years in more school.
So, young, passionate and literate people share their dreams about helping others, running for office or fighting injustice, or exploring their passions by becoming entrepreneurs. Grad school is the way to go.
These graduate schools don’t optimize for these things.
After graduating from medical school, you are left with a mountain of debt, and most of your 20s have been spent. This pushes many to choose the doctor track. The focus is more on systems and forms than actually engaging with patients. Students who entered law school with hopes of social justice are often forced to postpone their dreams for years as they work long hours for large firms and earn big money. You get the picture.
A career as an occupational therapist or physical therapist will allow you to be more direct and hands-on. If you’re looking to make an impact by writing or arguing then three years in law school and passing a bar examination aren’t the best way to go. Entrepreneurs need to be well-versed in many things, but they don’t necessarily learn them from a traditional MBA program.
The stratified work done by big name investment firms, consultants, lawyers and fancy doctors is moving away from people’s contributions that can be measured and are something they can be proud of.
Do it if you want to. Do it with intention.
It may be a good idea to get started right away if you haven’t already. You don’t need a permit or certification to start making the changes you want. Just take small steps and make them now.
