Game Time Decisions: Graduate School or Industry and How to Decide What is the Best Fit for You

For many college seniors, graduation brings an exciting but daunting question: What comes next? Should you jump straight into the workforce or continue your education in graduate school? For Sydney Ciota, who is set to graduate this May, this decision has been shaped by years of curiosity, personal motivation, and meaningful experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Leadership, Service, Community, and Experiences

Sydney has been deeply involved with Women in Business throughout her time in college. She currently serves as the organization’s Vice President of Philanthropy. Her journey in WIB has also included roles as Events Manager on the Women’s Month Committee and Communications Director for the Gala Committee, where she gained experience in event planning, communication, and team collaboration.

Through these positions, WIB has played an important role in her personal and professional development by helping her build confidence and expand her professional network.

Professionally, Sydney broadened her global perspective through an internship in Brussels as part of the Fisher Global Consulting Program. There, she worked with Aya Energy on a lead-generation consulting project, gaining exposure to international business practices. She has also remained committed to nonprofit organizations in her hometown since high school and continues to support several projects there today.

Looking ahead, she plans to take a gap year working as a paralegal before attending law school.

Deciding on Graduate School

Sydney has known for most of her life that she wants to pursue advanced education. While her specific career interests evolved over time, her passion for learning remained constant.

“Even though school can be demanding, I’ve always sort of been addicted to it. I really love learning and gaining a deeper understanding of new subjects,” Ciota says.

Her parents also played a role in shaping this perspective. Her father has a PhD and her mother has a master’s degree, and they both encourage her to continue growing academically.

A Personal Motivation for Law

Sydney’s interest in law began early. In ninth grade, she completed a school project about discrimination in the legal system, which inspired her dream of becoming a civil rights attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union.

While that remains a long-term ambition, her interests have expanded as she has learned more about the legal profession. Today, she is particularly drawn to medical malpractice law, especially cases involving cancer patients.

Sydney explains her main goal when it comes to practicing law: “I want to help people who didn’t receive proper care. It’s something that’s really close to home for me.”

Weighing Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Goals

One of the biggest considerations when deciding between graduate school and entering the workforce is the financial trade-offs. Sydney acknowledges the immediate financial benefit of starting a full-time job after graduation. However, she also recognizes that many careers, including her own aspirations in law, require additional education.

Her plan to work for one year before attending law school will allow her to save money for living expenses, while still moving toward her long-term goals.

“I don’t want to delay too long,” she says. “I’m really eager to begin a career I’m passionate about.”

Preparing for Law School

Sydney is currently preparing to take the LSAT using an independent study approach through the 7Sage online program, along with resources from the LSAC website and educational YouTube channels. She has chosen a self-directed approach, and relies on tools like her degree audit and independent research to stay on track.

She also emphasizes that the skills developed in college like time management, study strategies, and organization are essential in preparation for graduate education.

Her International Business major has strengthened her global perspective, presentation skills, and awareness of current events, while her Creative Writing minor has helped her continue developing strong writing abilities, all of which are valuable for a future career in law.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Sydney encourages students to reflect carefully before committing to graduate school. Some important questions she recommends asking include:

• Is graduate school necessary for the career I want?

• Will it help me reach my long-term goals?

• What are the financial trade-offs, and are scholarships or other forms of aid available?

• Am I genuinely passionate about this field?

Advice for Students Still Deciding

Sydney’s biggest piece of advice for students unsure about graduate school is simple: seek real-world experience and talk to people in the field. She recommends shadowing professionals, asking alumni about their experiences, and learning what their daily work actually looks like. These conversations can help clarify whether a career requiring graduate education is truly the right path.

Sydney also encourages spending some time in the workforce: “even a short amount of time working can help you understand your strengths, goals, and interests before deciding whether going back to school will move your career forward.”

For Sydney Ciota, the most difficult part of choosing graduate school has been facing the uncertainty and “what if” fears that come with making the important decision. Still, she realized she would “regret not trying far more than trying and realizing it wasn’t the right fit.” Ultimately, her decision to pursue law school comes down to passion, and law is the path she feels most driven to follow. By aligning her next step with her long-term goals, she hopes to build a career that allows her to make a meaningful difference, while remaining open to the many opportunities a law degree can provide.