How To Know If Grad School Is the Right Move For You
Thursday, May 22, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Grad school can feel like a big leap. Maybe you've been thinking about it for a while, but you’re not quite sure if it’s the right time or the right reason. Don’t worry, that’s normal. It’s even normal to think of grad school of this place where you can dive into a topic you’re passionate about.
But what if it’s exactly what you need?
If you have been asking yourself if it’s the right time to elevate your education and set yourself apart with a graduate degree, here are some signs that might help you make the call.
If you’ve been asking yourself whether now’s the right time, here are a few signs that can help you make the call.
Here’s how to tell.
You're Seeing Job Listings You Don't Qualify For
So you're browsing job postings and you’ve seen a couple of jobs that you like, and everything sounds like a great fit—until you scroll down to the “requirements” section.
Maybe you’ve got the experience. You have the skills they are looking for. Even the ambition. But you’re missing one line: Master’s degree required.
This is one of the clearest indicators that grad school might not be about just learning more about a subject you’re passionate about—it can also be about access. A graduate degree WILL open up doors that might be off-limits to those who just have a bachelor’s degree.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s-level careers are growing faster than any other educational category—nearly 17% from 2016 to 2026.
What to do next:
Look up job descriptions for roles you want. If you see “master’s preferred” or “required,” that’s a strong signal. What you can start doing now is looking at graduate programs that align with your career goals.
You Want to Change Fields—or Specialize
Let’s say during your undergrad you were passionate about uncovering the truth and writing, so you studied journalism. But now you’re interested in mental health counseling. Or you work in general marketing and want to dive into the world of digital analytics. That’s where grad school makes sense.
A graduate degree helps you pivot without starting over. It’s the perfect way to switch lanes without having to start over. Yes, if you’re going from journalism to mental health counseling, there might be some foundational courses you might have to take but going from being a writing wizard to reading up on human behavior is doable.
It’s not just for complete shifts either. Maybe you love your field, but you want to focus—like moving from elementary teaching to curriculum development or clinical nursing to leadership.
For example, a registered nurse might need a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner or clinical educator. Similarly, someone in a mid-level marketing role might find that an MBA is key to breaking into executive leadership.
In fact, according to Third Way, 98% of graduate students pursued graduate degrees to advance in their field of choice, highlighting how essential further education can be for career progression.
What to do next:
Talk to someone who’s made a similar switch. Ask what programs helped them make the leap. Many grad programs offer concentrations that make it easier to specialize.
You're Stuck—And It’s Not Your Work Ethic
You’ve taken on big projects at work. You’re producing results. You’re proactive. You’re getting glowing reviews on your evaluations. Still, promotions are passing through you.
In many industries, the difference between manager and who is managed is – you guessed it - a graduate degree. Is it possible to move all the way to the top without a graduate degree? Of course, but stories like those are highly uncommon.
Many times, it’s a combination of effort and credentials.
A master’s can be your stepping stone to senior positions, especially if you’re aiming for leadership, strategy, or education-related advancement.
What to do next:
If you're hitting a ceiling, ask yourself what roles you’d take on if you had the right credentials. Go into Linkedin and look at professionals who are in positions you want to aim for. A graduate education will very likely be part of their career journey.
The Timing Feels Right
If any of this feels familiar, stop ignoring it.
Stop thinking of graduate school of just a box to check. Maybe it’s your next step.
Maybe your responsibilities are stable, and you have a consistent routine. Maybe you're more confident in what your interests are as opposed when you were an undergrad. Or maybe you're ready for growth that’s intentional—not reactive.
Look, there’s never going to be a “perfect” time. But if you’ve seen colleagues with grad degrees move up, or you’ve visited a page like this, maybe it’s finally time to take that step.
What to do next:
Test the waters. Start requesting information from graduate school. Attend a virtual info session. Meet with graduate recruiters. Graduate school doesn’t have to start with an application —it starts with curiosity.
Looking Ahead
You’re not reading this because the thought of grad school came out of nowhere. Something brought you here— a career that might not be going anywhere, maybe a new passion for digital analytics, or maybe the need to make a bigger impact.
Now’s a good time to ask: What’s your next move?
If it involves deeper expertise, leadership roles, or switching tracks altogether, grad school may not just be an option—it may be the best decision you haven’t made yet.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers accelerated, fully online graduate programs that meet you where you are—online, or on campus— and help prepare you for wherever you want to go.
Start exploring the possibilities. Make it happen. We’re ready when you are.
Explore Graduate Programs at UTRGV.
Source:
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/graduate-degree-outlook.htm
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