From One UMasser to Another: Advice for Post-Undergrad Pursuits

Unfortunately, I can’t be there to give you personal advice tailored to your interests, background and personality quirks. Fortunately for you, I am familiar with the “Post-Undergrad Existential Crisis” and can pose questions that will help you navigate through this seemingly swampy abyss. These questions are based on the assumption that you intend on doing something at some point in time that will propel you to a higher (either enlightened, monetary or both) living standard.

1: Do you know what you want?
--If not, take the time to figure it out. As long as you continue pursuing your interests in whatever manner, it will lead you to a decision. Interested in advocacy? Join a non-profit and donate your time. Want to be an educator? Sign up to be a sub or do some after school tutoring. Do you want to be a chef? Work in a restaurant kitchen for a little while. You will realize if it is or isn’t your scene quickly. If it isn’t, you will know and can move on to something that is for you. It is a simple process of elimination without a financial commitment.

2: Would you like the culture of fraternities? Do you want your teacher to know you by name? Do you want to choose your own focus within a program?
--These are all important when choosing a university. Each program is different. Some schools with nice names have classes with 300 students in them and strict curricula. Make sure to check out campuses and TALK TO SOMEONE THERE before you sign the loan.

3: Are you afraid to travel?
--Mandarin Chinese speakers command high salaries across the board. If you aren’t afraid to travel to one of the many English schools in China (that want to pay you good money for your time) I say, DO IT. Learn Mandarin, make money and incite envy in everyone that knows you all at once. When you come back, learn more Mandarin and make more money.

4: Do you consider yourself an indignant liberal but would some day like to pay back your debt and not sustain on a diet of canned vegetables and ramen noodles?
--Rejoice! Many business/management schools (such as Milano @ The New School) are popping up and growing in popularity. Schools that will teach you to be a conscientious leader and which incorporate many liberal arts values (environmentalism, multiculturalism, lots of –isms) into their curriculum are out there and want people like you to be the next generation of leaders. Seriously, check it out! (Ashoka.org has a large presence in the Milano School.)

About Me:
I graduated from UMass Boston in December 2006 with a BA in Political Science. It took me over 2 years to answer question number one on this list. Currently, I am attending the Graduate Media Studies program at the New School where the focus is on the intersection of media practice and theory. We learn multi-media production and study the effects of media as well as it’s content. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at the above address with any questions you have.

Admissions, GRE, and Essay advice will all be posted from April 20th-27th here: