Graduate school is an increasingly popular option for science and technical students looking to get more
experience in their fields... or delay entry into the "real world."
A Day in the Life of an Engineering Grad Student
The academic transition from undergraduate education to post-grad education in technical fields is much different than most realize. Not only are you in complete control of your schedule and research (depending on your advisor, of course), but you are exposed to a whole new group of people in graduate school. You will work together as part of a research team, usually of international composition. Your IAESTE experience will not only help you manage your time as a graduate student, but will give you the skills necessary to work as a part of an international research group. IAESTE exposure comes to the forefront when attending research conferences in which you not only have to "pitch" your own research, but you also interact with other researchers from all regions of the world.
A typical day in graduate school usually begins with a class or two, but focuses on research for the majority of the time. Competitiveness and research drive take shape as many extra hours in the lab, and keeping track of the endless web of research articles related to your area of interest. While graduate school is a difficult road, the group and individual rewards validate many extra hours of hard work. Whether it takes two years or eight, it is important to remember that the knowledge and degree are always the light at the end of the tunnel.
--Logan Buck, professional grad student, IAESTE NC State
back to top
Grad School: U.S. or Abroad?
So, you have made the decision to attend graduate school; now the question is where should you go? Madison or Marseille? Chicago or Shanghai? This is a question that prospective graduate students should consider carefully. Many students find themselves in the position of pursuing graduate school abroad simply because they do not want to take the GRE (which is not required by many foreign institutions) or because they feel that it would be too hard to get into a U.S. graduate school. Let's face it, many foreign universities throw open their doors to fee-paying students because they are unable to charge local students significant tuition. Foreign students provide a significant source of university revenue in some countries. However, the aforementioned reasons should not be the ones that determine whether a student pursues further education abroad. There are far more critical questions to consider.
First of all, any student considering graduate school should spend substantial time thinking about their future career. While you may have a good idea of the field in which you want to work, have you thought about the job you want to have? The first time many students look at job postings is after they obtain their Master's. This is far too late. Students should examine job postings before they choose a graduate program. This opportunity can be used to pinpoint one's dream job. Once you know the job you want to have, then you can go about pursuing the qualifications necessary to obtain that job.
Now that you have your dream job in hand, research whether attending graduate school abroad would help qualify you for the position. An international education can give you foreign language skills that may be in high demand by companies seeking to expand overseas or in fields that require international collaboration. Also, some countries are extremely well known for their expertise in certain technical fields. If you envision yourself as an expatriate after graduation, it would probably be quite helpful for you to have received some education in the country or field in which you want to work.
Graduate school can also provide an excellent opportunity for networking. You will probably meet many people during your academic career; professors, advisors, people you meet at conferences, and your fellow colleagues. All of these contacts will be important for you when you begin your job search. Keep in mind that contacts abroad may not be as helpful as domestic contacts if you plan to work in the U.S. On the other hand, U.S. contacts may not be as beneficial if you want to work abroad. Consider also that you may have the opportunity to work or intern along with your graduate program and you will meet contacts through this work experience as well.
You should also consider different types of foreign universities. Many academic institutions have ''international schools'; these schools within universities are specifically for international students from around the world. Generally, international schools teach classes in English, rather than the local language. Other universities may have international students attend classes in the language of the country alongside local students. While the 'international school' environment may provide you with amazing opportunities to learn from classmates from around the globe, you should also consider that international students come from a wide range of educational backgrounds and may have more or less experience with the subject matter than you do. Some students have found that this can negatively impact the level at which the course material is taught, specifically if professors teach at the level of the "lowest common denominator."
Even if you have determined that an international education will be helpful in getting you your dream job, don't make the decision to go abroad just yet. Begin your search for graduate programs with an open mind. Research universities both here and abroad to find the program that will provide you with exactly the tools you need to get your ideal job. Contact key professors and advisors and speak with them in greater detail about the program being offered by the university. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the program and the university before you decide to apply.
On a financial note, studying abroad can be done cost-effectively if you choose your program carefully and spend time seeking funding resources. Even though international students usually have much higher tuitions than local students, tuitions abroad can still be considerably less than those here in the U.S. Prices due vary by country, but it is rare to find tuitions above €10,000. Furthermore, if the institution is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, you can still receive Federal Stafford Loans (see www.salliemae.com). There are also some great financial resources available to students who wish to further their education abroad. NSEP (National Security Education Program) offers scholarships for graduate study in non-western countries. The Fulbright program offers scholarships for graduate study abroad. Marshall and Rhodes scholarships are available to students who choose the United Kingdom as their academic destination. Furthermore, many countries have special initiatives designed to increase the number of foreign students in the country. You can ask your contacts at universities if there are any additional sources of funding available to you as an international student.
Whether or not you choose to continue your education abroad, do not miss any opportunity to expand your international skills- even if it takes place in a U.S. foreign language classroom, short-term program abroad, or overseas internship. Given globalization, it is inevitable that you will have to collaborate with people from other parts of the world sometime during your career. Furthermore, today's innovative technical companies are seeking employees with critical international skills such as foreign language abilities, understanding of local markets and cross-cultural communication skills. Take advantage of every opportunity to build your international qualifications.
back to top
Grad School Links
Serious Links:
Not-so-serious Links:
back to top