How to Figure Out What You Want to Study in Graduate School (and why!)
This article is a part of a series on Finding Programs and Labs to Apply to for Graduate School. Figuring out where to apply is one of the most daunting tasks most grad-school-seeking folks run into. It is also one of the biggest deterrents. Many people never get to grad school because they can’t find a school that will 1) suit their academic needs and 2) admit them! See here for the introduction to the series.
How to Figure Out What You Want to Study in Graduate School (and why!)
You probably fall into one of three categories right now:
You are an undergraduate thinking about grad school
You’ve recently graduated and don’t know what to do next
You’ve been working for some time, but you’re not happy with your opportunities for growth without a graduate degree
Regardless of your background, you’re starting to look into graduate school as an option to give you the skills, qualifications, and knowledge to advance in whatever career you might want. One of the problems (and benefits) of the graduate school process is that it is very field-specific. Very few people know exactly what they want to study and why. You’re not alone in this. However, it is very important that you try to figure it out.
Choosing a field of study in graduate school can be a daunting task. However, it's important to take the time to figure it out, as potential graduate advisors will be studying very specific things, and you will need to impress them by being overwhelmingly interested in their specific area of study. Here are some tips on how to figure out what to study in graduate school and why.
Figure out your field of study
Take some time to research different fields and subfields within your area of interest. Look into the types of courses and research that are typically offered in graduate programs, and think about which ones align most with your interests and goals. This might seem a little basic, but many of us have varied interests. There are plenty of people who would be perfectly happy studying multiple different topics. But, hopefully by now you can figure out what your field is. Programs are usually quite broad, so for the sake of looking for programs that fit your interests, think broad. Maybe your field is Chemical Engineering? Perhaps you love Computer Science. Biology? Chemistry? Anthropology? Your field of study for graduate school does not have to be the same thing you studied as an undergraduate. It also doesn’t have to be the same thing you’ve worked on professionally. It does have to be something you are passionate about, though.
Figure out your sub-discipline or specialty
Once you have a general idea of the field you're interested in, start narrowing down your focus to a specific sub-discipline or specialty. This may involve reading more about the different areas of research within your field, talking to professors and other experts, or even participating in internships or research opportunities to gain firsthand experience. Think about all of the various sub-disciplines in your field, and think about what you definitely don’t want to study. Write them all down if it helps. Some very old advice: try to find people in jobs that you could see yourself happy in. Figure out what they studied to get there. If you still aren’t sure, try and figure out what the fastest growing specialties are in your field. What do you think will be in high demand in 5-10 years? This is the kind of thing only you can figure out for yourself; what are you most passionate about? What do you find the most interesting to learn about? And what do you think will set you up for a successful career? Having trouble narrowing it down to just one thing? That’s okay, you don’t need to know quite yet.
Why do you want to study this subdiscipline
This is a crucial step in the process, as it will help you to articulate your goals and motivations to potential graduate advisors, admissions panels, and funding agencies. It is relatively easy to figure out what you want to study. It is hard to know why. However, undoubtedly someone will ask you this question and you will need to explain to them why you want to be studying what you are studying. So it’s better to come up with a good answer early on. You should then let this ‘why’ permeate your application process, carrying through your statement of purpose, interviews, and decision-making process. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help formulate your response:
What kind of career do you envision for yourself?
Do you want to go into academia as a career? Do you want to work in an industry? Or maybe for the government?
What kind of personal or professional skills do you want to acquire in graduate school?
What are some examples of industries you could see yourself working in?
You don’t need to be able to answer all of these questions right now, but it is important to do this type of self reflection before committing years of your life to a goal.
Talk about it with a colleague or mentor
Seek out the advice and guidance of someone who has gone through the graduate school process before, or who is currently working in the field you're interested in. Ask them about their experiences, what they wish they had known before starting graduate school, and what they believe it takes to succeed in that field. They may also be able to provide you with valuable contacts and resources to help you in your search for the right graduate program. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be someone you know. Consider reaching out to a graduate student you don’t know who is studying in your field of interest. Ask them about how they got where they are. Ask them what they would like to realistically do as a career after graduate school is over. What skills are they learning? What do they wish they had done differently? Talk to them about your career goals and ask them what they think you should do. You might not like what they tell you. Maybe they will tell you that you should go work for 5 years in industry before getting a graduate degree. Most graduate students have fought a long uphill battle to get to where they are. When approached by others who might want to pursue similar goals, they are usually more than happy to share all about their successes, failures, and lessons learned. Buffer against bad advice by talking to lots of people with different perspectives.
Consider your personal preferences
You’ll also need to take into consideration personal preferences when choosing a program. Consider the various types of graduate programs offered, such as Master's and PhD, or Professional Degree programs, and the differences in the curriculum, length of program, and career opportunities after graduation. Also, research the various funding options available, such as scholarships, grants, and assistantships, and the application process for these funding options. Consider where you want to live and differences in lifestyle provided by different graduate school options.
Overall, the key to figuring out what to study in graduate school is to do your research, think critically about your goals and interests, and talk to people who have been through the process before. Remember, choosing the right field of study is a major decision that will have a significant impact on your future career and personal development, so take the time to make an informed choice that aligns with your passions and aspirations.
