This piece is the third in a series of “Ask an Alum” columns that will be periodically published online through a partnership between Elon University’s Young Alumni Council and The Pendulum.

While many students anticipate attending college for four years and then finding a full-time job, a number of students are pursuing graduate school upon completing their bachelor’s degree. During the 2013-14 academic year, American colleges and universities are predicted to award 778,000 master’s degrees and 177,000 doctoral degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Some may believe graduate school is simply a continuation of one’s undergraduate studies, but as graduate students quickly realize, there are a number of differences between graduate and undergraduate studies.

When making the decision to pursue graduate school, it is important to think about your long-term objectives and the benefits of a graduate degree. If interested in becoming a doctor, practicing law or working in student affairs on a college campus, a graduate degree is a necessity for employment. However, in other fields, such as business or public administration, a graduate degree can be a stepping stone to better opportunities.

When considering a graduate school, it is important to weigh the career benefits with the financial responsibilities. Look to see if your future employers will help contribute to your education or explore opportunities for a graduate or research assistantship to help defray the costs.

Life as a graduate student can be vastly different from your undergraduate days. Instead of taking a variety of classes all across campus, you will usually spend most of your academic time in the building housing your program focused on a specific course of study.

Preparation for class will require several hours each day and usually involves a substantial amount of research or teamwork. Instead of more frequent and smaller assignments, you are often required to submit more extensive assignments periodically throughout the semester in an effort to better summarize your learning and comprehension of the subject. Professors and administrators of your program will likely make themselves available to help you learn to manage the increased work load, so be sure you are taking advantage of all the resources your program offers.

Many graduate degrees can be earned part-time, which will limit your available free time on nights and weekends, or they can be earned full-time with a heavier course load, which has its own limits on free time. These time limitations are temporary and the graduate school experience can provide a fun, new social group with common career interests and aspirations.

Yet, graduate school can be much more than academic work and career preparation. As a graduate student, you will often have the chance to take in new campus traditions (just as we all enjoy Elon University traditions) or support your school’s athletic teams.  Additionally, you are presented with an incredible opportunity to make new friends and expand your personal and professional network. Becoming fully engaged in your campus and graduate program will pay dividends and help create a more rewarding experience.

Columnist Chase Rumley ’09 is currently pursuing an MBA and MS of Operations Management at The University of Alabama, and columnist Laura Sumner Kahn ’09 is pursuing a Doctor of Optometry at The Ohio State University.