Do you want to
- strengthen/update your technology skills?
- move into management?
- start your own business?
- move out of technology?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this might be the perfect time for you to apply to graduate school. According to Crunchbase news, in 2022 and 2023, roughly 284,000 employees were let go from technology companies. Yet technology workers are still very much in demand. Companies are seeking software engineers, product designers, machine learning and artificial intelligence experts, data scientists, product managers, and sales managers.
You might be committed to a career in technology but would like to lead project teams and need to develop your skills in leadership, negotiation, and communication. Or maybe you are thinking about starting your own company and would benefit from courses in entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. There are so many good options in graduate education — from an MS in engineering or computer science to a master’s in engineering management, a combination program of a STEM field/MBA, or a PhD.
If you are seeking a research degree — an MS or a PhD – then you will need to demonstrate that you have research experience, either as an undergraduate or at your workplace. Gaining acceptance to a research program requires that you have an excellent academic record and that you have published research — or at least have experience with the research process. You will want to secure letters of recommendation from your former professors or someone from your work who has a PhD and has supervised your research. Your recommenders will vouch for your research skills and the probability of your success in a graduate research program. You will also want to clearly state what your research focus will be and your career goal upon graduation.
To select a school and program, start by identifying your end goal. How do you want to make a difference? What work will bring you the greatest satisfaction? You should choose a program based on which one offers a curriculum that will provide you with the skills you need to achieve your end goal. You must also decide whether you want to commit one or two years to pursuing your degree as a full-time student, or whether you prefer to keep working and should enroll in an online, part-time program instead. Other factors to consider are the required qualifications, location, cost, and where the program’s graduates are employed, as well as the extent of the career services the school offers to support you in your job search.
For the past eight years, I have worked successfully with STEM clients who have been accepted to highly ranked programs in many engineering fields, data science, computer science, environmental science, and statistics. Applying to graduate school is a process. Consider hiring a consultant to help you evaluate your options, develop a plan, think strategically about your statement of purpose, edit your essays, and rework your resume for an academic setting. Ultimately, earning a graduate degree will offer you new and challenging career opportunities.
With 30 years of career and admissions experience at four universities, including Cornell’s College of Engineering and Johnson Business School, Dr. Karin Ash facilitated students’ entry into the world’s best companies. As an adcom member, she also evaluated applications and therefore knows what schools and employers seek. Want Karin to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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