The writer enrolled in grad school for her MBA right after college. She wishes she had waited for grad school, gotten a job, and traveled instead.
Hispanolistic/Getty Images
The final exams for my bachelor's degree took place in March 2005, and by June, I was enrolled in my master's program.
The two-month break didn't feel like one, as it was a whirlwind of applications and entrance exams. I would have loved to travel, write, and contemplate my future career path, but instead, I plunged straight into further studies. After pursuing a bachelor's in business administration with a major in marketing, I felt compelled to continue studying marketing, resisting exploring other options.
I should have known an MBA was not the right choice. Reflecting on my childhood and teenage years, I realized that my academic pursuits overshadowed my growing interest in nature and the outdoors. I was passionate about environmental systems, tree-planting drives, camping, and painting nature scenes. This inclination starkly contrasted with the desk job awaiting me in the corporate world.
Had I taken some time off after college — a gap year perhaps — I would have prioritized travel, indulged in creative writing, and done an internship. Those experiences would have better prepared me for life beyond the university bubble. My MBA years were rigorous, with long hours and intense study schedules, but the safety net of family support still cushioned them.
I craved experiences that would challenge me and open my eyes to the world in ways that textbooks never could.
In the second year of my master's degree at 21, I worked at a top-rated advertising firm for a three-month internship. I realized many of my colleagues had joined straight out of undergrad and continued for a decade.
A master's degree wasn't a prerequisite for a good job; my work during the internship earned me a job offer. Realizing that the degree I was working so hard for was not the golden ticket I had thought it to be was eye-opening. It was my skills, my creativity, and my dedication that mattered.
I wish I had sought to get a job straight out of college. I could have accepted a job offer from a classmate's father, who ran a company manufacturing biodegradable bags. This opportunity would have aligned with my interest in environmental sustainability.
I wish I had followed that passion and engaged with it deeply instead of pursuing a master's that had no guarantee of getting me anywhere and that I had little interest in.
In hindsight, I realize the ideal time for an MBA is after gaining six to eight years of work experience. This approach would have provided a more valuable perspective and practical knowledge.
I'm nearly 40, and the lessons from my past remain relevant: Take time to explore your interests, gain real-world experience, and pursue higher education when you're truly ready.
Today, after 17 years of corporate work experience, I am a full-time writer — something I should have done a long time ago and did not really need my master's degree for.
For college graduates, I wish they would allow themselves the time to let ideas and dreams marinate, weigh the pros and cons, and make a well-thought-out decision — instead of jumping into grad school.
I also recommend getting a job or work experience whenever possible; it will teach you things that school won't. Finally, if you find yourself gravitating toward a particular passion, immerse yourself in it to see if it's for you. Take those risks, seize those opportunities, and remember there's no rush to pursue a master's degree.
