Already Thinking About Grad School? Here's How To Make Your Master's Worth It, According To Graduates

After all the cheers, photos, and proud moments from graduation day, college graduates eventually face one unavoidable question: What now? Some jump straight into the workforce, while others find themselves wondering if another degree could be their next big move.

If you've ever caught yourself googling "Should I get a master's degree?" at 1 a.m., you're definitely not alone. 🥹 For a lot of fresh graduates, it can feel like the expected next step after college.

But real talk: a master's degree isn't exactly an impulse decision. It takes time, money, energy, and a whole (!) lot of commitment. So, ready your notes—below are the things that graduates want you to keep in mind before taking the leap. ✍🏻

Before you start filling out applications, get honest about why you want a master's degree in the first place. Your answer doesn't have to be impressive. It just has to be clear enough to help you choose a program that actually fits what you want.

That's something Hunny Laurente thought about early on. During her final semester as a Comparative Literature student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, she started applying to master's programs because she knew she wanted to stay in academe. At the same time, her part-time copywriting work showed her another possible path.

"I was sure that I wanted to stay in the university and pursue literary studies/research professionally, but gaining experience in copywriting opened my mind about the possibility of going in that direction," she says. While taking her master's degree in English Studies at Université Paris Cité, she chose Arts and Visual Culture as her specialization because it exposed her to media and visual studies, which she felt could also support a future in copywriting.

A master's degree should fit into your life, not the other way around.

Your master's degree journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Some people use grad school to explore a completely different interest, while others use it to build on what they're already doing.

Lifestyle journalist and Palanca Award-winning writer Christa Dela Cruz belongs to the first group. She initially pursued Chemistry in undergrad then spent years working in travel and lifestyle media before pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at De La Salle University. If you've ever wanted to try a different lane without completely starting over, her experience might sound familiar.

"I recommend taking a master's degree that's a bit different from your career. One can inform the other, and at the same time, widen your knowledge," she says.

The same goes to Cosmopolitan Philippines Executive Editor Ida Aldana. After earning her A.B. Interdisciplinary Studies degree (with tracks in Communication and Psychology) from Ateneo de Manila University, she took an M.S. in Publishing: Digital and Print Media at New York University.

"My undergraduate degree wasn't specifically in publishing or media, so I knew I wanted that specialization," she says. Studying in New York also exposed her to industry perspectives and practices she would not have encountered otherwise.

"Many of the most valuable conversations in class came from people sharing challenges they'd faced at work, industry trends they'd witnessed firsthand, or decisions they'd made in their careers," says Ida. After college, she worked as an Editorial Assistant for two years before pursuing graduate studies abroad, a gap she considers her "sweet spot"—having enough professional background while still having that academic momentum.

"I remember my professors often asking me about how media worked in the Philippines because our market operates differently from the U.S. and other countries represented in the room. Having that context makes graduate school a much richer learning experience—not just for you, but for your classmates as well," Ida adds.

Christa feels the same. Her 11-year experience in the publishing industry shaped how she approached her studies and creative work. "There's danger that you have the same mindset in undergraduate and in graduate school," she says, explaining that work experience gave her a different perspective when she returned to the classroom.

While some people pursue graduate school right after college, others find that working first helps them better understand what they want to learn and why it matters.

A master's degree isn't just about the title you earn after graduation. The experience can also open doors to new connections, projects, and opportunities that continue beyond the classroom. During her graduate studies, Hunny joined workshops, learned from mentors, and explored new academic spaces, while Christa used her program as a foundation for bigger creative work.

"I was able to present my graduate research at various academic conferences at universities abroad last year, and I was also able to publish a book based on my creative thesis," Christa says.

Ida also found career opportunities through her program, including a chance to work in the publishing industry in the U.S. "I had a mentor—a graduate of my program—who connected me to opportunities within her company, which eventually led to a fellowship role at a publication in New York."

But making the most out of graduate school also means bigger responsibilities and multitasking.

Christa shares that having financial savings and being comfortable with her work routine helped her manage these demands. "What I mean by 'right timing at work' is that you're already used to what you're doing on your day job, so you're already capable of taking on something new and another load, which is school," she says.

Don't underestimate how much you'll need to enjoy the learning itself. A master's degree isn't just another credential—it's years of reading, researching, exchanging ideas, and challenging your own perspectives. That curiosity will keep you going long after the excitement of getting accepted wears off.

For Hunny, graduate school became a space to explore questions she was genuinely curious about and discover new possibilities.

"For some, it's to 'build' one's CV or skill set; for people who wish to pursue academic research, it's a necessary step; for others, it's to have a space to figure out possibilities (such as myself)," she says. "Whatever your motivation is, pursue a master's degree because you know that you'll enjoy it. Education is an endeavor ought to be experienced with joy and fulfillment."

Their careers may have taken different turns, and that's exactly the point: you can only follow your own path. So, if you do decide to take on graduate school, go into it with purpose. That's what will make the experience worth it.