Help need advice on life after graduating from college?

Question

After I graduate from my college (Hobart and William Smith a top ranked liberal arts school in the US) I will owe around $17,000 in loans (good deal considering my school is $41,000 a yr) and come out with a bachelor's in international relations.I am currently a junior but have been thinking about what I should do after I graduate recently.I was hoping I can get some advice that would give me a better idea of what I can do,please use personal experience if you think it can help me.Here are some starting point that I thought of so far.

1-Get a job after graduation and pay off my debt then pursue grad school?

2-Don't worry about the debt too much and go to grad school right after undergrad?

3- Try to go to grad school and work at the same time? Im worried that my grades might suffer

4- Any other personal suggestions?

I speak and write fluently in Spanish. I have a few Economic courses under my belt.

Answer 1

Here's my personal experience: I went to undergrad school and came out with a larger debt than you. I was married to a med student so I worked while he studied and my income went for things like food while the debt was deferred. Then I went back to grad school, defferred the old loans, aquired MORE loans and even when my husband graduated med school and became a doctor, we both had to file a chapter thirteen. It was due to our student loans. The student loans alone equalled more than he made every month (Residents don't make that much.) We kept begging for deferrals, but eventially the deferrals run out. Now that we are on the other side of the chapter 13 andback on track money wise here's what I learned --

1. The interest never stops acruing to your debt total. The debt just gets bigger and bigger.

2. "Of course they'd love to loan you the money, and here's a credit card to help out."

Avoid using any credit. Even though it's hard at any time in your life - it's much easier at this point in your life to do without some of the finer things by paying cash only. This makes a huge difference.

3. If I had it to do over, I would have waited and tried to pay off some. Take into mind that I was helping support someone else in school, while in school as well. This was where a lot of the problems sarted to double. It happens to a lot of couples. Being single it helps to only have to plan for one.

4. I worked 20-30 hours a week and went to school full time in undergraduate school and it was hard. But it can be done.

That said -- I worked 20 hours a week in graduate school (teaching freshman comp.) and it was brutal. It affected my final grade point average in the long run. I got some great experience, but unless you can afford to perhaps take fewer classes yourself or take less work study, I would reccomend against it. The little you make doesn't cover the value of having study time, unless you need the references and experience for your transcript and resume.

Answer 2

My experience after graduating with a double major in Sociology and Psychology is to go to graduate school. However, I left a year off before going to graduate school. I made sure to apply so later on I wouldn't feel lazy about it. I think you can find a decent job say as a manager at Cingular Wireless Store or at Macy's, so you'll be able to pay off your 17k debt (mine is 9k). You'll also be able to use the summer after you graduate to study for the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or LSAT (whatever grad program you're doing).

If you're doing a masters in a field in the social sciences or humanities, don't waste your time. It will be more expensive to get that masters than what you'll earn once you get a job. You could also work at the same time, and your grade will not suffer. The magic of graduate school is that you only get A's/B's or F's. The Universities kinda cheat so they can tell the world their masters and Ph.D students were all 3.5's and above (they kick out anyone under 3.0). As long as you do the minimum, you WILL have over a 3.0.

Answer 3

Get a job, start to pay off loans, get work experience-your company may help pay for grad. school so that you won't have more loans on top of the ones you already have. You will have a degree in a much sought after field so you should have no trouble finding a job. Make sure you find a job that you love. Life is short so try to enjoy it. You spend 60% of your life at work, might as well be doing something you like.

Answer 4

I did a BA and then spent two years working in the field I wanted to do my graduate work in (Education). I didn't make a lot of money, but I DID get to work overseas and it put me in a great place to apply to grad school. Most grad schools want people with practical experience, and having some related work experience will really help you tie theory to practice. Work to pay off your loan and save a bit of money, then return to grad school in two or three years. When you're studying again, look for a part-time job on campus that relates to what you're studying. I work eight hours per week at the Education Library, and it's great because I meet SOOOOO many people who are working in Education. It's a great opportunity to network, and it's enough to cover my weekly spending money.

Answer 5

Your first priority should be is get a job. Start a career to build for growth. Then you need to work on paying off your loan, as it will effect your credit rating positive or negative, depending on how you hand this.

Many people return to grad school while working. There can be a real plus to this. If you get on board with a good company, they reimburse tuition if you make A's or B's. Free education, all you have to do is work and study hard.

Good luck!

Answer 6

most people work part time jobs and go to school to help with school costs. grad school tends to be more work but no stupid stuff like you had to do as undergrad -- like freshman english papers constantly, etc. you debt really isn't that bad compared to most i think -- why don't you start working toward grad school and if it works out then go for it -- if there are a lot of hurdles then put it off a while. see what works for you and don't worry so much!

Answer 7

Get a job
As a benefit, Let the new job pay your tuition for Grad School
Start to Pay off your debts
Save automatically
International Relations, how many languages do you speak?
Did you take Marketing, Business Administration?
Seriously look for an internship for this summer to get a jump start

Answer 8

Did you know that the military would have paid for your college and you wouldn't owe anybody anything? If you enlisted now they would pay for your graduate school and you would become an officer and be able to pay off your current bill. Think about talking to a recruiter in your area.

Answer 9

Get A Job

Answer 10

Get a job.