http://www.statenews.com When the economy turns bad, not every industry suffers. In fact, some flourish under the circumstances. For example, graduate schools have seen a spike in applications. A myriad of reasons are given for the increase, but many experts feel it’s a result of an uncertain economy and rising employer expectations. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:19:32 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25237 Most people that go to graduate school right after getting their undergrad degree only go because they couldn’t get a job after graduating (although most won’t admit that). and then once they graudate with their MBA, or masters….they will be overqualified, under experienced. Plus…a lot of companies will assist with paying for grad school….i don’t see why people wouldn’t go with that route. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:34:10 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25237 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25242 Well jp, you obviously are not an engineer. In general, when an engineer is working for a company and they pay for grad school, a pay raise and/or a promotion is not generally granted. The thought process is why should the company pay again? They already paid for the graduate degree. I hope that helps you see the reason for it. I turned down several offers to go to grad school. Plus, it isn’t possible to do your MBA without experience. With all the problems with your post, are you part of the state news editorial board? Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:07:14 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25242 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25243 grad school is a flourishing business?! news to me… Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:10:31 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25243 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25252 Jerrod – I think we’re both saying the same thing…I guess I just didn’t explain my post enough….I graduated with a supply chain degree from MSU. I agree….many times, even after you get a masters/MBA that your work has paid for, a pay raise isn’t just a given…..you’ve got to be able to back it up with hard work and the proof that you’re worth the $$ you make….and normally you have to stick with that job for at least 2-3 years after your MBA/masters because your work will make you pay it back if you leave the company before then. My point was that going to get your masters/MBA right after your undergrad degree (going full time, going into debt for it, paying for it completely yourself) instead of taking a job in your field (that will give you tuition reimbursement) makes you overqualified/underexperienced/in a crap load of debt. and…it IS possible to get your MBA without experience….not at an MSU or a U of M, but you’d be surprised…. and jack – yes, grad school is a flourishing business…..getting an MBA from MSU Exec program costs over $60K, and going to U of M Ann Arbor costs about $100k. The tuition collectors are smiling all the way to the bank… Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:53:17 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25252 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25262 MSU is in the business of SELLING graduate degrees. Even if they won’t get you a job or a pay raise. They could give a rip. They get paid, anyway. Buyer, beware. Good job, SN. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:40:10 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25262 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25321 Graduate degrees are only “sold” if you’re in something artsy or business. Most technical/scientific graduate programs fully support you because they’re really just giving you a degree in exchange for five years of meaningful research. I can’t imagine a single nat sci or engineering Ph.D student is actually paying for his/her degree. In engineering/technical/biomed sciences going to grad school right after undergrad is the common route since you plunge right back into the continuation of undergrad coursework. Unless you work in a closely related field, biochemistry Ph.D programs probably aren’t going to be impressed that you took two years off to be a pharmaceuticals sales rep. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:58:30 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25321 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25454 ah…Don’t Be Stupid? Most non-professional graduate programs are REALLY competitive and only accept a handful of the applicant. If you want to get a PhD, they don’t just hand it over. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:21:09 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25454 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25630 The problem is that a bachelors degree has become the new high school diploma. Anyone with an ounce of brains and a bit of ambition can easily attain a college diploma. Grad school has become a method of weeding out those who eked by with a 2.0. I also think that many “grad students” do not want to face the real world, so they just go back to school. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:19:32 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/25630