<p>I got into GWU Elliott and I've been reading these message boards like no other. </p>
<p>School is really expensive and I don't' think I'll be able to afford to go onto graduate school. With competition so high in this field, is it significantly more difficult to get a job wit h just an undergrad degree ? </p>
<p>What I am basically asking is, if I want to do IR, is it almost necessary to get a graduate degree?</p>
<p>probably not a great place to get that answered......but i would be VERY VERY interested in knowing that too</p>
<p>That's a very complex question because there is so much that goes into getting a job. In the long run, there isn't a line that divides career opportunities between those with MAs and those with just BAs, but there will be more prospects for growth with higher degrees. I was wondering this myself, so I decided to look at the biographics of some of the senior officers at the State Department. The majority of them had graduate degrees, but there were some who just had undergraduate degrees.</p>
<p>When you do research jobs, you'll find that some (especially with the gov't) will delineate between which inital first jobs are suited for undergraduate degrees and those for graduate degrees. </p>
<p>You also have to consider whether or not you'll be going into grad school immediately after undergrad. If so, finances should be a large part of your decision. Some people will go directly into grad school. Some will go back to grad school after a job or two or after gaining more financial resources. </p>
<p>As with most things, just because you have a graduate degree doesn't mean you'll automatically be given a job. Hard work, networking and a bit of luck always help.</p>
<p>Bottom line: it's a personal choice.</p>