I am currently in my graduating semester. While I can’t wait to get out of NUS, I am still quite confused over whether I should start working right after graduation or continue my studies for a graduate degree. And this is where my father and I often log heads.
Personally, I would prefer to start working. I want to gain more work experience. I want to take chances and try working in different environment. Through this I hope to figure out what working style would suit me best. And I want to gain a better insight and understanding of what the various departments in the company does. Based on all this, I hope to be able to make a wiser decision in choosing the type of graduate degree program. Especially, since I am considering the possibility of changing my major for my graduate degree.
My father though is a little anxious about this. He is worried that if I do take a break from my studies, I may loose interest in pursuing a graduate degree. He is also worried that if I take a break I may find it more of a challenge to adapt back to the “learning mode”. Moreover, his values and views are strongly affected by the Indian culture. And in India, the vast majority of undergraduate students leap straight into their graduate studies. So part of his argument is that if the crowd follows a path, there has to be some valid reasoning behind it.
So my father and I keep going back and forth with our arguments. I do respect my father’s view. After all he is much more experienced and has my well being at heart. But I really would prefer working first. This is not only due to my reasoning mentioned above; I also have this nagging inexplicable “gut instinct” that working is what would be right for me. I do believe that he would ultimately give me the freedom of choice, but I would definitely prefer it if I could get his whole-hearted approval. Do you think my arguments are valid or reasonable enough? Or does is father’s concern more valid? How else could I make my father see my way?
