<p>I'm in a bit of a dilemma here as I'm stuck at a fork in the road to my future. On one side there's grad school and the other there's the "real world" as in get a job (if I can find one).</p>
<p>I'm about to graduate from college with a dual degree in biology and Spanish. I want to enter the field of forensic science. My original plan (currently) is to take a year off school after graduation. In that year, I plan on taking the GRE, and gain some job experience in the field of forensics. I'm applying for a position as a forensic scientist trainee for the Illinois State Police, which provides paid on-the-job training. The reason for this is that my grades aren't where they should be for grad school apps and I'm kind of burned out from school. I want to see what the workforce is like. If all works out with this route, I would consider pursuing a masters in forensic science (to enhance my skills for the job and in general, I like to learn).</p>
<p>However, one my my classes in my Spanish major has really opened up my mind to the possibility of going to grad school for a masters in Spanish. Linguistics has always interested me and I took a majority of the linguistics classes in the Spanish major, but this one class has started to make me think of pursuing research in second language acquisition. The research done here at my soon to be Alma Mater (UIUC) in the the field is amazing and I want to be a part of that.</p>
<p>This is where I'm stuck. I'm leaning towards the forensics route because I'd like to start living life on my own and I'm going to start paying for loans. But on the Spanish grad school side, it sounds like something I'd be happy with and want to pursue.</p>
<p>My question is, has anyone taken a year off before going back to grad school and not regret it? What's some advice you'd give?</p>
<p>My other question is, if I decide to go back to grad school for Spanish, what are some things I should do (besides take the GRE) to increase my chances (look good on grad school apps) into getting in?</p>
<p>If you’re not sure, you should take a year and get a taste of the labor force. Many people do this, and more should. Grad school isn’t really a time to find your passion - it’s a time to refine your skills, and in research, essentially learn through apprenticeship. Do you want to do a master’s just because Spanish seems interesting, or do you see a career track that would not open up to you without a degree?</p>
<p>So anyway, I’d say go into forensics for a year. If you can’t get that Spanish degree off your mind, you’ll have your answer, and you’ll go into grad school refreshed and committed. If you end up loving forensics, you’ll have your answer there too.</p>
<p>Graduate school is the real world. That’s important to remember. It’s just as real, and involves just as much if not more work, as getting a job outside of academia.</p>
<p>In the event that a student is torn between working and grad school, my vote is almost always for work. Graduate school will always be around; it isn’t going anywhere. The programs in which you are interested will most likely exist five years from now, and extra work experience is only going to help you.</p>
<p>In your case, I don’t think that interest in one class is enough to spur you to graduate school. If you are interested in linguistics, get some experience doing research as a volunteer while you work.</p>
<p>I didn’t take any time off because I knew I wanted a PhD; the jobs I wanted to do required a PhD; and I already knew what I wanted to research and had 2 years of research experience by the time I applied. But I do know people who have taken time off and have not regretted it. You get some real work experience, and often experience that helps shape your research interests.</p>
<p>Also, I agree with the above. Getting a degree should be a means to an end, in that it should be necessary to do something you want to do. You shouldn’t just get an MA in linguistics or Spanish out of pure interest; you should have a goal for using it in something, some kind of job or field. If you are just interested in linguistics or Spanish, you can always read about it and volunteer in a research lab as an RA.</p>
<p>If you are unsure of what to do, take a year off and think it over. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in May 2012 and am beginning to fill out grad school apps (hopefully will be accepted for Spring 2014.) It will be a waste of time and money if you don’t figure out FOR SURE what you want to do. I’m sort of upset that I didn’t just jump into grad school after undergrad because there are some things that are more difficult (asking for recs from professors you haven’t seen in a year, readjusting back to school and studying), but it’s given me time to make SURE I knew what field I want to enter. And finding a job right now is AWFUL. Even though I have a degree, it took me 6 months to find a steady job and it’s not even full-time. If you take time off, just be patient and prepared to work for low wages and doing something you didn’t go to school for.</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks for all the advice! :)</p>
<p>I do intend to enter the work force right away, if I can find a job. It does make sense to see what it’s like out there and find out if it’s something I want. It also makes more sense to me to enter grad school as a means to an end. In the case for Spanish, I would be going for a masters (/PhD for the second language acquisition research certification program at my school), but for what? Just because I find it interesting, there should be a purpose for it. Therein lies the passion/purpose/practicality question. :</p>
<p>I can see how pursuing a masters in forensics would really benefit me, should I decide to go that route (ie. move up the ladder, improve my skills, learn new techniques). I see grad school as a possibility in the future, but in the far future, for either route. </p>
<p>I just feel a little apprehensive leaving behind my Spanish studies. I really love the language and culture, but studying it won’t necessarily pay bills, etc. But as juillet said, grad school will still be there. </p>
<p>I still have to figure out what it is I really want. The idea of gaining experience really sounds appealing to me. </p>
<p>Again, thank you guys so much for the advice/replies! I talked to my academic adviser about this and it seems like he was swaying me towards grad school instead of figuring out what are some other options for my situation.</p>
<p>I still plan on taking the GRE this summer/fall. The scores last for 5 years, right?</p>