Graduate School: Now or Later?

Collaborative Repurposing Project Report

Emma Bryans, Zhijian Xu,
Christina White, Erisa Toyoda
Table of Contents
Letter of Transmittal............
Executive Summary.....
Introduction......
Research Methods........
Results......
Conclusions......
Recommendations
Works Cited......
Appendixes
Letter of Transmittal

Date: July 12, 2017

To: Professor McCarthy
Washington State University
From: Team 7 Emma Bryans, Erisa Toyoda, Christina White & Zhijian Xu, Students
Washington State University
Subject: Letter of Transmittal for Collaborative Repurposing Project

Attached is the draft Collaborative Repurposing Project Report along with its respective
attachments. All research and required interviews were completed in relation to our Graduate
School: Now or Later? repurposing project, as outlined in the Recommendation Memo. The
tasks included the following: interviewing business executives, Kevin Bryans, Jerome Hewlett
and Sean McNamara; conduct extensive secondary research followed by analyzing and
summarizing information obtained from the aforementioned tasks.

The interviews provided a firsthand account relative to the timing of Masters degrees and
related work experience. These interviews were conducted with several senior business
executives. Secondary research was also conducted for factual support in the determination of
when to pursue a Masters degree and associated work experience. After compiling relevant data
from these methods, we were able to perform an elaborate analysis to help formulate a findings
and recommendation for potential graduate students.

The interviews disclosed that a Masters degree is essentially an enriched program to an

individuals undergraduate studies and related work experience. Further, the interviewees
believed that when comparing individuals with work experience in addition to a masters versus
those with no experience, they had a slight advantage in the workforce . In considering whether
no work experience made a Masters less valuable, there was no definitive answer. Ultimately,
there is value added to a masters program when one has relative work experience. However
given the vast variance between programs, it cannot be implicitly implied that no work
experience will lessen the value of a masters. The secondary research that was executed gave
light to the consideration of a programs requirements. Some masters programs may require
work experience prior to enrollment and therefore, this timing determination would be
completely unnecessary for a potential student. This aside, the research supported the stance that
obtaining work experience, could enhance the program and even provide some avenue of
financial backing (such as through an employer).

Our final recommendation is that potential graduate students need to be sure to investigate their
own situation before making a determination in obtaining work experience before attending
graduate school. While it is clear that gaining work experience prior to graduate school has a
number of advantages, it may not always be a viable option depending on the field of study. Each
individual will have a better understanding of their professional goals and will have the best
insight in making the final decision associated with the timing aspect.

You will find the hard work and dedication that this team provided in this project, evident
through this report. Our team would like to offer any assistance should it be needed on future
projects similar to this. Should there be any questions or further clarification, we are available
via email.

Executive Summary
The problem this repurposing project is addressing is whether it is best for an individual
to continue onto graduate school immediately after receiving their undergraduate degree, or
rather, gain work experience in between their undergraduate and graduate education. The
program deemed necessary to accomplish this proposal is through both primary research via
interview as well as online secondary research. As a team, we are qualified to conduct this
research through our extensive life experiences and natural curiosity on the subject. Being
students will make our research more relatable and thus useful for those who read it. Through
our research we will help our audience who are looking for opinions, research, and advice prior
to making a decision that will affect the next years of their lives. We will be creating a pamphlet
that will provide provide our audience with a better idea on what is best for them based on their
career goals and aspirations.

Introduction
What is Wrong?
In today's business world a bachelor's degree is not as valuable as it once was and there is
increasing pressure for employees to further their education to graduate school. Although, we
have heard from different individuals with years of business experience that a graduate degree is
more valuable if work experience is gained after a one's bachelor's degree and prior to graduate
school. We want to investigate if, in fact, there is a consensus that a graduate degree is more
valuable if work experience is gained prior to starting a graduate program.
What is Lacking?
Credible information about the different opinions on the matter from well-respected
individuals in the business community. In addition, information such as 'how much work
experience is necessary' are not clearly answered. Furthermore, a more well written and
researched place for students to go to gain and understand all the information necessary for them
to make a well informed decision is also lacking.
What is Unknown?
Unknown information includes the opinions of those individuals whose jobs are specific
to hiring and looking over resumes. Also, how much of an advantage those who have work
experience prior to a graduate degree have over those who do not.
What is the Felt Need?
This information will be extremely valuable for individuals, like me, who are close to
receiving their bachelor's and are looking into the next steps in their life. Deciding between
working and applying for and attending graduate school is a big step and we think by researching
the subject we could help clarify what is best for them.
History of the Case
The masters is now the fastest-growing degree among students in the United States. The
number awarded, about 657,000 in 2009, has more than doubled since the 1980s, and the rate of
increase has quickened substantially in the last couple of years. Statistics show that two in every
25 people age 25 and over have a masters, about the same proportion that had a bachelors or
higher in 1960. With more and more individuals entering the workforce with degrees higher than
a bachelors, competition is becoming much more intense and expectations of applicants are
becoming higher.
Those interested in obtaining their masters have more to consider than just which school
to attend. Students must think of how their resume will look to potential employers and if they
should gain work experience prior to going back to school to advance their degree and achieve
their masters degree. There are pros to both waiting and jumping into graduate school right after
finishing their undergraduate degree. When attending graduate school immediately, a masters
degree will provide a student with the foundation of a field of study and can thus give him or her
the edge once the real-world experience is gained. Some fields, specifically science and health,
place more emphasis on learning in the classroom before being able to apply the skills in the real
world.
Alternatively, waiting until one has work experience will allow the student to discover
what areas of business might be of particular interest to him or her. Masters degree courses can
get very specialized, and once a student has attained a title in a specialized area they may feel
pressure not to change to another area of study. Because graduate courses can be a financial
burden, a student should have a strong sense of his or her long-term goals prior to jumping in to
further their education. In addition, a student who has obtained real-life work experience prior to
attending graduate school will presumably be better prepared to grasp the concepts taught in the
classroom.

Research Methods
Task One
In order to effectively and thoroughly collect data we conducted interviews of those
whom have years of experience in the field of business. One individual included Kevin Bryans,
Country Manager of Indonesia at Detmold Packaging with over 36 years of experience working
all over Asia.
Task Two
We interviewed Jerome Hewlett, Vice President of Operations of the Invention Science
Fund at Intellectual Ventures, with more than 25 years of experience in multiple nations
worldwide.
Task Three
We interviewed Sean McNamara, Senior Managing Director at the technology company
Accenture, with 29 years of experience in both Ireland and the United States. These three
resources provided me with valuable personal opinions that, as of now, are not offered online. All
three individuals have valuable knowledge and experience that we are now able to pass onto our
audience. By interviewing these experienced individuals we obtained useful, relevant
information that will provide our audience with a new insight on the problem at bay.
Task Four
We conducted extensive secondary research using various sources in order to get a
variety of opinions to add to our pamphlet. Such resources included the New York Times, Devex,
and Investopedia which provided us with interviews with professors at various universities
around the world. The mixture of both primary and secondary research allowed us to create a
comprehensive and in-depth answer to our research question and help our audience in their
decision making process.
Task Five
After conducting both forms of research we filtered through each source to analyze and
organize their suggestions and advantages and disadvantages of each course of action. Our
primary goal was to condense all information from each source into a paper that is much easier
and less time consuming for our audience to read. A decision of this level is hard for an
individual to make and is not usually made without gathering research and opinions on the
matter from those around them who are knowledgeable. Thus, through our repurposing project
we want to provide these individuals with all the information that will allow them to make a
decision that they are confident in.

Results
Task One Interview with Kevin Bryans
1. What is more beneficial, gaining work experience prior to going to graduate school or
attending graduate school immediately after undergrad? Why?
An MBA is an enhancement to a person's undergrad and work experience. By getting 3-5 years
of business experience the person has the ability to interact and contribute more to the MBA
educational process sharing and pulling from real experiences. This only improves the gains and
knowledge takeaways from going through an MBA program.
2) When looking at someones resume, does someone with work experience and a masters
degree have a large advantage over an individual with just a masters degree?
First, it would depend on what type position is being applied for and what type work experience
the person had. Having work experience that isn't relevant is not much advantage. Having said
that, all else being equal the person with relevant work experience and an MBA post that
experience would be viewed as being more well-rounded and grounded and not just steeped in
five years of educational theory. So, yes, the candidate's resume with relevant work experience
and an MBA would be viewed more positively.
3) Does not having work experience make an individuals masters degree less valuable?
Yes, it would diminish the value perception somewhat because of the lack of work experience. It
would be viewed as having one more year of educational theory without having the advantage of
tempering it with solid work experience.
Task Two Interview with Jerome Hewlett
1. What is more beneficial, gaining work experience prior to going to graduate school or
attending graduate school immediately after undergrad? Why?
2. When looking at someones resume, does someone with work experience and a masters
degree have a large advantage over an individual with just a masters degree?
3. Does not having work experience make an individuals masters degree less valuable?
It all depends so I will answer all three questions together. If the individual is going to a top tier
grad school where there are good internship opportunities, going right after undergrad is ok.
The work experience during the internship is key. That's where you land the job. If it's a lower
school than that doesn't have internship opportunities, having work experience matters.
Task Three Interview with Sean McNamara
1. What is more beneficial, gaining work experience prior to going to graduate school or
attending graduate school immediately after undergrad? Why?
There is no right answer, but in my opinion you get a lot more out of graduate school if you
have some work experience in something related to the program you will be doing. Someone will
have spent so many years at school that I think working in between degrees gives a good break.
Also if you have a job, the employer may pay towards your MBA
2. When looking at someones resume, does someone with work experience and a masters
degree have a large advantage over an individual with just a masters degree?
Yes, assuming the work experience is relevant"
3. Does not having work experience make an individuals masters degree less valuable?
Not necessarily. During the masters program you should get an opportunity to do real work as
part of the projects you are asked to do.
Task Four Secondary Research
One thing that must be considered and researched by the individual is the requirements of
the program at the university of choice. Not all graduate programs have a work experience
requirement, but a majority of the reputable programs do and the requirements will vary. General
MBA programs require up to three years of experience while Executive and Professional MBA
programs require upwards of 10 years of management experience.
Regardless of requirements, gaining relevant work experience can still be beneficial even
if you are planning on attending a program with no stated admissions requirement. Some
professionals say that the financial and personal benefits of a graduate degree are greater when
real world experience is gained prior to the program. Having anywhere between one to three
years of experience will not only help a student in a higher education program, but could also
lead to paid-for tuition via your employing company.

Conclusion
Through our various research methods, we have come to the conclusion that work
experience prior to receiving graduate school education is important in order to make ones
resume look as best as possible. In many cases, work experience would actually augment
attendance to graduate school. While a graduate school degree will never look poorly in the eyes
of employers, it is evident through our thorough research that work experience prior to graduate
school does look slightly better. In addition, gaining real world experience in the workforce prior
to attending graduate school better prepares the individual for the topics discussed in the program
and allows them to have a better idea of what they wish to accomplish in the long-run.

Although it was deemed that gaining work experience first was highly beneficial, it was
apparent that this may not be the case in all programs. Work experience may not be probable
given certain degrees or fields of study (e.g. the medical field). There are also personal factors
that need to be considered, such as individual goals and financial situations, etc.

Recommendation
Ultimately, it is recommended that individuals looking into graduate school should
consider further investigation into their specific major and what is right for them. From a
business standpoint, it is evident that gaining real life experience at a company will not only look
better one a resume but will also provide the student with a better foundation in which to learn
and apply knowledge in the classroom. Further, the student will have a better idea of their long-
term goals when attending graduate school after gaining experience in the different areas of
business. By actually working within the industry, a student has much more practical knowledge
about what areas they may or may not want to pursue.
We believe further research should be done every few years as the standards for
employee education is continuously evolving. Over the last few decades the bachelors degree
has grown in popularity immensely, thus ones chances of standing out of the crowd after
finishing ones undergraduate education is much harder. As the rates continue to increase,
recommendations for furthering ones education may change as well, increasing the need for
further research.
Work Cited
Bryans, K. (2017, June 19). Personal Interview with K. Bryans.
Dikici, A. (2016, March 24). Master's: Now or Later? Retrieved June 20, 2017, from http://
www.mastersportal.eu/articles/275/masters-now-or-later.html
Europe, S. I. (n.d.). Studying a master's degree vs. having work experience. Retrieved June
20, 2017, from https://www.studyineurope.eu/aqa/masters-degree-vs-work-experience
Hewlett, J. (2017, June 18). Personal Interview with J. Hewlett.
McNamara, S. (2017, June 19). Personal Interview with S. McNamara.
Nath, T. (2015, April 14). Masters Degree Vs. Work Experience: Which One Is More
Valuable? Retrieved June 20, 2017, from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-
finance/041415/masters-degree-vs-work-experience-which-one-more-valuable.asp
Pappano, L. (2011, July 23). The Masters as the New Bachelors. Retrieved June 20, 2017,
from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/education/edlife/edl-24masters-t.html
Appendixes

Graduate School: Now or Later Website

Graduate School Brochure