Dilemma. Need some advice.

Graduate School
1

<p>Right now I'm a junior at an average state university majoring in International Studies with a focus in international development and I'm minoring in Mandarin Chinese and business foundations and I'm not quite sure what step to take next. I have a problem of being interested in all fields of study which creates some future planning issues, but I do know for sure, at least in the end game, I want to end up in the world of academia and would enjoy being a university professor.</p>

<p>I'm seriously just not sure what step to take next, after I graduate should I get a job? But I'm not sure what kind of job I could honestly pull off with my qualifications, but I would assume at least use being a white kid who speaks Mandarin to my advantage, LoL. I would seriously like to know what I'm qualified for exactly.
Or as another choice, should I do some developmental field volunteer work? I would love to do this, but I'm afraid Mr. Banker would want his loans back asap and being a volunteer helping some Southeast Asian poor isn't going to bring in the dough.
Or should I just jump straight into graduate school?</p>

<p>And if I jump straight into graduate school... What would be the best path? (Here's where my interest in everything clouds my judgement) Should I go to SMU and get a masters in theology or divinity? (I'm not even Christian which is a funny thing, to be end up being ordained as a minister, but I would love it for the study) Or should I get a degree in political philosophy? Or even an MBA or MA in international business? Or world religions? Or international relations? Or get a degree continuing in international development (I would love to teach about development, but is it wise or the "correct" move to do both my undergraduate and graduate in the same subject)? And if I wanted to end up teaching about development, what should area of study should my PhD be in? All of the fields I listed above are relevant, but I don't know if they can get me exactly where I want to be. All in all, I'm just confused and need a bit of guidance and a push in the right direction on where to go next.
(To be completely honest, I would love a degree in theology, divinity, or world religions, but how would this affect me getting into some good PhD programs? Southern Methodist University is a good school and all, but I would be getting a degree that at least in my mind doesn't hold much weight or recognition)</p>

<p>And also, being so heavily focused about global issues, should I do at least one of my degrees at a university overseas? American schools hold the bar for higher education, no doubt, but I would think going to a school like the National University of Singapore, Renmin University, Peking University, Nanjing University, University of Melbourne, University Malay, etc. would be just as good.
And with going to just an average school, I would think I would have a better shot at good overseas programs rather than top US universities' programs so that is something true for me to at least keep in mind?
And would going to a foreign university be looked at the same when applying for doctorate programs back in the US?</p>

2

<p>Bump.</p>

<p>10char</p>

3

<p>First of all, don’t go to graduate school if you don’t even know what you want to do. That could end up being a waste of money and time. Graduate school, especially professional master’s programs, are best done when you have CLEAR goals for what you want to do with the degree. You don’t go in to mark time; you, say, “I want to be a social worker who works in school-based programs” and so you get an MSW. Or “I want to be an environmental policy analyst who has the scientific background to make a difference,” you get a degree in environmental science/policy or environmental health. You don’t just go just to go, and you don’t just go because something sounds interesting. if you don’t have plans for an M.Div, DO NOT get an M.Div. You will be upset with yourself a few years down the line when you are thousands in debt and yous till don’t have the qualifications to do what you want to do.</p>

<p>Here’s the “secret.” Jobs, on average, would much rather hire someone with a BA and 2 years of experience than someone with an MA and no experience, if the minimum qualifications are a BA. Some of us have been in school for so long that we can’t imagine learning things outside of the classroom, but sometimes jobs and experiences are the best teachers. If you don’t know what you want to go to grad school for, and have no use yet for a grad degree, go get a job. What should you do? Anything. Let life take you where it leads; apply for anything that looks interesting (and a few things that don’t just in case).</p>