2. You don’t have to quit your job. Many colleges and universities offer night and weekend classes, allowing you to work full time and take classes at your leisure.
Through my employer at the time my employer at the time, I was able to work full time, make money, earn benefits, and get my grad degree paid for. If you’re considering going back to school and wondering ‘is it worth it?’ below are a few reasons why graduate school and free tuition is a win-win for athletes.
Why a Graduate Degree + Free Tuition is a Win Win for Athletes
Enhanced Skill-sets and Expertise. Investing in the education of employees through graduate programs ensures that you acquire advanced skills and expertise directly applicable to your role. For your employer, paying for your degree, in theory, means a boost individual performance and provides you with the ability to contribute more to your team. With a workforce equipped with the latest knowledge and industry insights, companies are better positioned to navigate challenges and stay ahead of the competition. So what do jobs get out of it? Well rounded employees who can contribute to their company.
Increased Engagement. In most cases, employees who feel supported in their professional development are more likely to grow and take advantage of other benefits offered at a job. By offering to pay for graduate degrees, companies demonstrate a genuine commitment to a persons individual growth and success of their workforce. I find that jobs with good benefits tend to retain more workers over time.
Opportunities to Travel. A while I was so appreciative for the opportunities I had to compete and travel with my team, my schedule as an undergraduate never allowed me to study abroad. As a grad school student, there are so many opportunities to travel and take classes in other countries. Before the pandemic, Kurt was able to travel to Israel for three weeks and study business abroad. Being able to experience a whole different culture was incredible for him.
*One thing to note, study abroad programs are typically not covered by your employee benefit, so in most cases you’ll have to come out of pocket to pay for those experiences yourself.
Access to Network. One benefit of grad school that I didn’t realize was ‘a thing’ was the access to a whole new network of people. As a graduate student, you’ll take classes with people from all walks of life- recent grads, professional, individuals who are changing careers, and more. This group of people can open up a whole new world of personal and professional opportunities for you. Add that to your existing network (comprised of athletes, coaches, administrators and more) and you’ll have a killer network at your disposal.
Long Term Resume Booster. A grad degree on any resume will look really good, but consider the added benefit that comes with your degree down the road. While its important to work hard and work your way up, there are some top/ high profile jobs that are more attainable with a graduate degree. I might not sound politically correct here, but Ive seen high profile roles go to candidates who have an advanced degree, versus those who didn’t have the degree but were equally qualified.
If you find a job that is willing to pay your your education or advanced certifications, I strongly urge you to take those classes. Besides improving your skill-sets, you’ll reap numerous other benefits that your might not get without that degree.
If you decide to pursue a degree and work full time, it’s important to note there are a few sacrifices you’ll need to make as a grad student. Remember, anything great worth having comes with sacrifice and hard work. Here are a few short-term downsides of going back to school that I experienced:
- Being back in class. Yes, after being in school for years, having to go back to school wasnt always fun. Luckily, I had some interesting classes that made it worth it.
- Time. Going back to school means less personal time for you. Time going out, hanging with friends, traveling, etc. Will get cut short if you’re a full time or part time grad student.
- Work. Grad school means work. In addition to your full time job, you’ll need to prepare for exams, projects and papers. I remember constantly working during my grad school years, which was a lot at the time, but definitely worth it now.
- Money. Or lack of it. Sometimes, the jobs that pay for grad school don’t pay very well. However the total benefit you’re receiving and the debt you don’t have to pay back is incredible.
I’m a big believer in the value of education, but I don’t think it’s right for schools to charge thousands of dollars for a degree. So, if you can get an employer to pay for it, that’s a win-win! Going into debt for a graduate degree isn’t worth the financial stress and toll it can take on you and your family. So I say go for it, in a financially responsible way.