Choosing to pursue an advanced degree is a big decision. It can open doors, sharpen your expertise, and strengthen your credibility. It can also demand years of work, a major financial investment, and a clear plan for how you’ll use it. Before you commit, step back and look at the bigger picture. These four questions will help you sort out whether an advanced degree is the right move for you.

1. What problem am I trying to solve?

People often jump into graduate programs because they feel stuck. More education feels like progress. But a degree is a tool, not a strategy. Be honest about what you’re trying to fix or improve.
Are you looking for a career pivot? A salary increase? Deeper expertise? Professional credibility? A new network?
If you can’t identify the real problem, you won’t know if a degree will solve it.

2. Do I need a degree to get where I want to go?

Some paths require specific credentials. Licensed professions, advanced clinical roles, and certain academic or policy careers fall into this category. In those cases, the question is simple: the degree is the cost of entry.
But many leadership, strategy, consulting, and business roles don’t require formal graduate education. Experience, portfolio work, certifications, or targeted training can get you there faster and with far less expense.
Map the actual requirements of the roles or industries you want. Look at real job descriptions. Talk to people doing the work. Don’t guess.

3. What’s the return: financial, professional, and personal?

The value of an advanced degree isn’t just about income. It’s also about access, confidence, credibility, and the kind of work you want to spend your life doing.
Still, you should run the numbers.
What will it cost in tuition, travel, books, and time away from work? How long will it take to recoup that investment? What kinds of roles, clients, or opportunities might open up because of it?
You don’t need exact math, but you do need a grounded understanding of what you’re buying and why.

4. Am I prepared for the reality of the work?

Graduate school demands discipline. It requires consistent writing, reading, and thinking. Even applied programs involve complex assignments and tight deadlines, especially if you’re balancing a job, a business, or a family.
Ask yourself whether your current season of life can support that level of focus. If not, the problem isn’t the degree. It’s timing.
There’s no shame in waiting until you can commit fully and benefit from the experience.

An advanced degree can be a smart investment that changes your trajectory. It can also be an expensive detour if you pursue it for the wrong reasons. Slow down, get clear, and answer these four questions honestly. If the degree serves your goals, your future, and your long-term strategy, you’ll know, and you’ll move forward with confidence.