Fact I was not aware of: 44 percent of Gannon students go on to graduate school. Another fact I was not aware of: Gannon has hosted an annual Graduate and Professional School Fair for the last 30 years.

I’m glad I found out about the event because grad school information is essential not just for those looking at attending, but for those who don’t quite know what the next step is.

I assumed all the booths there were simply for recruiting students to one school or another, and to some extent that is correct. However, the representatives were also available just to talk about all your options, not just graduate school.

James Finegan, director of Career Development and Employment Services said that the best choice for some students is to go directly into the job field, but depending on your major, it’s important or even necessary to continue schooling.

“For some programs, graduate school is a necessity to get into the field,” Finegan said, “but we also want to encourage students to look for internships and other experience opportunities to be competitive.”

It’s not just about whether or not you choose to continue your education; it’s about what you do to make yourself marketable and become experienced in your field of study.

All students should take the opportunity to sit down and discuss these options with someone who understands the costs and benefits. Every student is different and has to come up with a plan that best suits their needs and goals for the future.