Why attend post grad studies?

I OFTEN hear my principal encouraging us to enroll in the graduate school. Many would say, “Is it necessary? Is it important enough to invest time and money in it?” For me, it is.

Hiring and promotion in the DepEd is now extremely competitive. One of the criteria which have the highest percentage is education. Having post graduate units and more so with degree gives one an edge.

Aside from the career benefits, are the personal benefits. Graduate school is far different from the undergraduate education. It emphasizes more on doing than plain memorizing. The work involves writing papers, research, intellectual group discussions and oral presentations.

Postgraduate works demand time and financial resources but will lead to the satisfaction of working in depth, allowing one to explore his strengths, interests and aspirations. It also gives a boost on self-esteem.

In the graduate school, the age of the students varies. My oldest classmate is a retired, 63-year-old woman and the youngest is 24. This premise heightens the learning experience. In a discussion, the older ones are more participative because they do not run out of experiences to share. They may not always be right, but we are definitely learning from them. Younger students have also something to say. They give fresh ideas. Sometimes disagreement emanates but in the end, learning becomes more interesting. Our every meeting poses a challenge to share something or just be silent and remain mediocre.

Another benefit of finishing Masters or PhD degrees is the privilege to meet professionals from various public and private agencies. This makes networking for possible projects easier and faster since a classmate would be there to extend some assistance.

Some say they are too old to go back to school or that everything is all in the book or it is same old banana. I say, nobody is old when it comes to education since it is a lifelong process, and learning is at its best when doing it with others. Abstract ideals are in the book. Actual learning is in a post graduate classroom.

We have to go back to school. It is for personal and career development. It may require sacrifice but the rewards and the prestige are worth everything.