There is, of course, no single answer to this question -- every student is different. We encourage all of our majors to discuss their plans for life after Millikin with their advisors. However, we offer a few brief words of advice here as a starting point for such discussions.

Know what degrees are required to pursue your preferred career. To be an attorney, you must attend law school. Political science professors nearly always hold a Ph.D. in political science, public policy, or another related field. On the other hand, many jobs with interest groups, state agencies, political campaigns, and small businesses depend far more on your previous experience than on your educational background (this is why internships are so important).

Don't go to graduate school because you don't like job-hunting or don't know what job you want. Looking for a job stinks; nobody likes doing it. For many people, it seems safer to stay in school, defer school loans to the future, and hope that job-hunting will be better with another degree on the resume. Unfortunately, job hunting stinks when you're well-educated, too (especially if you have built up more debt). Never go to graduate school without having a clear idea why you are going.

Consider working in your field before returning to school. Spending time as a lower-level employee can be immensely valuable in helping you to determine what to concentrate on in graduate school. A couple of years as a paralegal or legal secretary can help you decide what types of law specialize in. Work in a government agency may help you choose between a master's degree in public policy or in public administration. Time spent abroad sharpening your language skills may enhance your research in international relations or improve your job prospects in international business.

Speak with your advisor as early as you can so you can start to develop appropriate skills. You don't want to discover during your senior year that your graduate school application would have been stronger if had taken more math or another semester of French. Your advisor can help you make decisions which will serve you well in the long term. If you think that your advisor doesn't know anything about your chosen field, you may be right -- but we also have a strong network of alumni to turn to whose experience and connections can be invaluable.