Students approaching graduation with plans of continuing their education can learn more about gaining a master’s degree at Graduate School Information Day.

Graduate students will provide information regarding the benefits of attending graduate school from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Linda Moore, the team lead for Graduate School Information Day, said all the graduate departments will be present, and students will have the opportunity to speak with a graduate student.

“This event not only gives students the opportunity to speak with program representatives, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to network,” Moore said.

More students are attending graduate school to advance their degree and give them a boost over other candidates for future positions.

“The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that 27.5 percent of 2010 graduates were planning to attend graduate school and that number is up from 25.6 percent in 2009,” Moore said.

Joe Ethington, a communication studies graduate student, said the Internet offers so much valuable information, but speaking directly to someone offers so much more.

“The Internet can’t take the place of speaking directly to a representative. Many times the representative can share specific information that isn’t available on the website,” Ethington said.

He said students approaching graduation day have to realize top jobs in bigger markets are hard to come by, but graduate school can help in the long run.

“Graduate school is an excellent environment in which to become more deeply immersed in their interest area and gain valuable experience,” Ethington said.

Many undergraduate students are evaluating the cost and time required for graduate school and some wonder if it is really worth it.

“It’s important that students know what they want the advanced degree to gain them, and determine if it’s cost effective to pursue the degree directly after undergraduate school,” Moore said.

Some undergraduate students choose to attend graduate school because they do not know what they want to pursue. This gives them more time to figure out what they want to do, but should not be their reason for attending graduate school.

“Students shouldn’t go to graduate school because they don’t know what career field interests them. It’s really best for students who have a clear goal in mind,” Moore said.

Moore and Ethington agreed graduate school helps give a competitive edge when applying for future positions.

“Graduate School Information Day gives students the opportunity to speak one on one with graduate students, learn more about the programs and the culture of the school itself,” Ethington said.

Michael Rosinia can be reached at 581-7942 or marosinia@eiu.edu.