In the midst of graduation season, I can’t help but reflect on the years since I graduated from undergrad in 2021. It was in the thick of the pandemic and remote learning. Honestly, I did not know what my next steps would be due to so many changes happening in the world specifically the workforce. Getting my master’s degree was an early thought. Still, I never acted on it throughout my collegiate career until I worked via Zoom during my senior year and knew I wasn’t ready for the real world.
I can’t speak of other fields, but journalism felt like an intimidating, competitive world, and I was up for the challenge. Since the world took a major pause during the pandemic, I knew this was the time to invest in myself and my career. I applied for graduate school at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism during my senior year and received my acceptance letter a few months before graduation. There were many nerves bubbling inside of me, but in my gut, I knew the investment would be worth it. Also, I figured it had to work out because I did not have a backup plan for the job hunt yet.
Throughout graduate school, I consumed four years’ worth of lesson plans and workshops in the span of a year. Each class was intense, and at times, I wondered if I had made the right decision, as I saw many jobs opening up while I was in school. Then, I remembered I still needed to work on my craft. I always knew I wanted to be a writer and could write quickly and cleanly, but my words needed character.
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During my journey toward getting my master’s degree, I really understood what I was passionate about: culture, music, lifestyle, and so much more. Not only did I learn the skills I needed to survive as a writer, but I was also the hungriest I’ve probably ever been in the industry. The year went by extremely fast, and the next thing I knew, graduation was here. In the days of preparing for the next chapter and finally stepping out into the real world, my choice was put to the test: Is having a master’s degree really worth it?
As I’ve said before, the state of journalism shifted greatly during the pandemic, and many things seemed uncertain. There were back-to-back layoffs and budget cuts, and it seemed like everyone was freelancing. I honestly did not know what the future held for me, but I knew I needed a job because the loan charges were about to knock on my door.
In the state of the world, specifically the journalism industry, I think it’s safe to say that gatekeeping is real. Throughout my job hunt, everything seemed to be done by word of mouth. I filled out tons of applications, but during my time in grad school, I learned the ins and outs of the job hunting process, and it wasn’t solely about what you do, but who you know.
If you knew someone at a company who was an alum, old coworker, or mentor, you had a higher chance of snagging an interview. Grad school and receiving my master’s helped me widen my network because I honestly did not know where to start in the job-hunting process. It took me about six months to land my first job here at GU, actually, and now that I’m a year into my involvement with a major company, I’ve come to my own conclusion about whether or not a master’s degree helped me.
Overall, I wouldn’t be at GU if it was not for graduate school. During my time in school, I pitched my first story that landed here, and it kicked off my freelancing career and soon a job with the Zillennial publication. Still, I understand everyone’s experience and process is completely different, so when you’re looking into grad school think about what you want from the experience. Are you looking to widen your network? Do you need to sharpen your skills? Are you trying to have a higher income? When you look at the bigger picture when investing in a master’s degree, then that will help you make the best decision for yourself. Reflecting on my budding career, I think this advanced degree helped me realize my capabilities and motivated me to continue to fight for what I’m worth.
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About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.