‘Career Planning’ for Graduate Students, Is It Necessary?

Written by Grace Tarrant

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It is always the same question that immediately creates a sense of uneasiness in my body: “What do you want to do after your degree?” and is typically followed by a big sigh. It’s hard to answer that before you have even had a chance to be out in the work world and look for potential careers. Thinking about the future can cause stress for people, especially in a time that presents a lot of uncertainties and higher-than-average living costs.

I have never known what I wanted to be when I “grow up.” I have had the ability to pursue schooling because it was of interest to me, but never because I had a set idea of what career I would pursue once I complete my education.  I am six months into my master’s degree in Atlantic Canada Studies and still do not know what’s in store for me. If you are in a position where you only know you want to be productive in society but don’t know exactly what that looks like – you are not alone.

People have diverse interests and seem to be malleable regarding what they want in a career. I don’t think that is a negative thing. Not knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life is not a bad thing; in fact, it’s important to be comfortable with the possibility that you may not have only one career in your lifetime. Being flexible when it comes to career opportunities could be the thing that ensures security. With the current work trends, Canadians can expect to hold roughly 15 different jobs throughout their careers. The current working situations in Canada present a significant change from when people would get one job shortly after finishing their education and remain with their employer until retirement. There certainly remain people who can depend on securing a job for the duration of their life; however, they are few and far between.

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Some people will wish to pursue further education after a master’s by getting a Ph.D. Olivia Denman, a first-year Atlantic Canada Studies master's student, is beginning to think about where she will pursue her next degree after she graduates. She wishes to continue her research on women’s birthing experiences and maternal care practices, so a Ph.D. seems like the only logical answer for her. She, too, acknowledges that even with a Ph.D., she will still have to be open to different jobs, whether in academia, with the government, or with other organizations related to her field of study.

Denman stresses that figuring out what to do after getting a master’s degree is about asking yourself in the present moment:  “what will fulfill you and fit your interests?” She urges others not to be so “focused on the perception of the career.” It’s possible that your first or second job after obtaining a master’s degree will only be a stepping stone to something that aligns better with your expectations and interests. Sometimes, getting out into the “adult” working world and just being open to new experiences is what will allow you to end up in a career that is more suitable in the future.

Depending on what your master’s degree is in, you may be a perfect fit for a wide variety of jobs. For instance, any thesis-based masters' will open opportunities that are related specifically to research, perhaps with a non-profit or for a level of government. A course-based master's may lead you to opportunities in administrative or technical work. Everyone’s work, educational, and extra-curricular experience will likely be different and, therefore, has the potential to open up doors that you may not necessarily have anticipated.

The workforce and workplaces are constantly changing these days. Jobs are being invented and erased every day, and keeping up with all that’s available can be a chore. If you know you want to make a difference and feel like your work matters but have no idea what that looks like – try to look at the upside of being able to be flexible and curious when you’re moving onto the next stage of your life. The unknown can open up possibilities and excite you about what’s to come.