<p>I agree that too many people attend graduate school because they don’t know what to do or can’t find a job. While advanced degrees are necessary for certain professions, what many people don’t consider is that the higher you go the more specialized you typically become - which means you’re qualified for more specific work, rather than a broad range of work options. This strategy can be counterintuitive for students who are lost in the job search. They may get a master’s degree in hopes of landing a better job and end up in a profession they never needed the master’s degree to get.</p>
<p>I have a BA in psychology and I work as a human resources manager. I could get an MBA with an HR focus or a master’s in HR management, but it isn’t necessary and it won’t prevent me from advancing in my field. As I gain experience and expand my list of accomplishments the “education” section moves farther down on my resume. </p>
<p>Since the OP asked about a BFA/MFA: The arts are based on talent and experience. A degree does not mean someone is a good artist - it just means they were good enough to pass their classes. An MFA or above is understandable to teach or conduct research - but to be a graphic design? A web developer? A singer or dancer? No - if you’re amazing at what you do, that should (and often does) weigh more than any diploma. I worked as a graphic designer for a marketing company straight out of high school. Once my portfolio was developed I could have expanded that into other work without going to college at all. The key is to make sure your work is seen before hiring managers have a chance to review and toss out a paper resume. This is where self-marketing and grass roots become critically important. Get the managers to recruit you, rather than you trying to convince them to hire you.</p>