by As undergraduate students at all different levels, thinking about the next steps in our careers; for many of us that is graduate school. For some of us it is graduate school at the master’s level or PhD level. After breakfast the graduate student Elena, who attends Scripps Institute of Oceanography gave a discussion on the ins and outs of graduate school. She went over the basics and the questions I haven’t thought to ask before. Deciding whether to get a master’s degree or a PhD; if you decide to get a master’s do you get a course-based degree or a research-based degree; choosing an advisor; and how to pay or graduate school.
As junior undergrad student, I have been thinking about attending graduate school. Before the discussion my plan was to take a year between undergrad and graduate school, but now I am thinking that it may not be the best plan of action for me. Now having a better understanding of how the flow of grad school will be and how to pay for it, starting after I finish my undergraduate degree might be best. This trip with STEMSEAS has been eye opening to what it like to spend time at sea. It isn’t always glorious, there were some rough seas and some foggy days, but it was vital to a true experience at sea. I wouldn’t have traded it for another, maybe without the seasickness.
