Am I a tard for not wanting to go to grad school?

[Quicksilvre]

My back story: I am in my junior year right now, and should graduate on time despite missing a semester (AP credits FTW!). My GPA right now is about 3.2, but it's been a rough semester and it'll probably be around 2.95 once the dust settles. From what I can tell from what I have to take to graduate, my final GPA is likely to be in that neighborhood (2.8-3.1). I'm scheduled to graduate from undergrad studies with a mathematics degree in May of '09...

...and I want to be DONE.

I gotta be honest--I am completely exhausted with education. What I want to do from here on out is finish up my requirements, take maybe one or two graduate level math courses my senior year, and hit the career center starting this winter. (I was planning on getting a preliminary resume pulled together no later than the upcoming winter break, and maybe over the Thanksgiving break.) I want to focus on getting employment after graduation.

So, we come upon the question that I presented in the title. Many of the other math majors here are going to grad school. I have given no thought to even applying, since a) a sub-3.0 GPA doesn't seem to impress anyone, and b) I'm not sure if I even want to go to grad school. If I'm so worn from undergrad studies, it just doesn't make that much sense to me to go to grad school, since I know that a master's requires more commitment than just a bachelor's.

So, am I a sucker for wanting to get a job after school's over? Is a B.Sci in math still useful? I am getting a lot of pressure from people like professors to go to grad school; my family seems fine with me leaving school with a bachelor's. The average starting salary for math majors from my school is pretty good (around $45K a year in 2003, which is the most recent year I can immediately obtain).

Also, would getting an internship for the summer significantly change the tard-iness of employment?

[SuperUberBob]

I'm not going to grad school.

I'm an Econ major though. If that makes a difference.

[ItalianFX]

I'm not going to grad school, Econ major also.

I've been in the college system since Jan. 2002. I was pulled out of school 2 times for deployments and once for the police academy. I just want to be done so I can start making some money. I can always go back to school in the future if I choose to, but I highly doubt I will.

[jman3232]

What are you planning on going into with an econ major?

[ItalianFX]

[ QUOTE ]
What are you planning on going into with an econ major?

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that directed towards me?

If not, I'll answer anyways.

I'm a police officer right now, have a full-time job lined up as soon as another position opens, thinking about applying to some sports organizations to see what I can get into it, would like to start my own business. I have an idea for a business right now, but with the economy of my hometown, I don't know if it'll work.

Other than that, I have no idea because the prospects of working for other people doesn't appeal to me, although, I have never started my own business and am very unsure of myself. Now may be the best time to take some risks.

[tabako]

Grad school isn't for most people that get a bachelors. I've experienced the graduate level econ here, and it is much more difficult and requires a significant time commitment that doesn't compare to undergrad. You need to have strong direction and internal motivation if you are going to succeed in graduate school. It really won't be like staying in school for X more years as an undergrad. Any respectable program will be the equivalent of a full time job.

It seems to me that from what you wrote, grad school is not what would be best for you.

[Quicksilvre]

First, thanks to everyone who replied. It's kind of a relief to see I'm not alone with this.

Since there was generally the same responses from everyone, I'm just to clip out quotes and respond where appropriate.


[ QUOTE ]
From everything I've read regarding grad school, there is pretty much 0 reason to go if you're not 100% committed to it.

[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
also, it's possible u might not be accepted into a lot of places with ur current GPA

[/ QUOTE ]

That's exactly what I was thinking--from what I can see, you can forget about it with pretty much any GPA below 3.00. I didn't think there was much point in going given that and my lack of enthusiasm for grad school.

[ QUOTE ]
I was trying to say that settling for 45k when you could go to grad school and get 80k seemed surprising.

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, as it stands now, getting accepted seems unlikely, and apparently finishing even if I do get in is also unlikely. What's the point if I spend a year or two floating around aimlessly, earning a salary maybe a third of what I would get otherwise, when I may not get anything in return? If just getting in is an issue, staying in and earning a master's is going to be a bigger one.

That being said, if I get a job and five years down the road, whoever I'm working for wants to send me back to school, I'd love to do that if I feel better about school at that point. But I am burned out at this point.

[ QUOTE ]
There are plenty of jobs for math majors (look into consulting, actuarial work, Wall St., etc) that pay good money (or at least better than 45k/yr).

[/ QUOTE ]

As I said, $45K is just the average. Thank you, though, for the advice about possible careers; I have taken (very brief) looks at financial market and actuarial jobs already. Consulting is something I will look into as well.

[ QUOTE ]
The advantage of having a math major is that it's clear that you know how to think and analyze. The disadvantage is that people may think you're socially retarded, so you'll have to show them otherwise.

[/ QUOTE ]

I will certainly keep this in mind.

[AvivaSimplex]

I have a PhD in neuroscience. You are absolutely making the right decision not to go into grad school. Grad school is for people who hear everything about how hard it is, and how little it pays, and *still* really want to go. You're burned out and likely won't get in or won't finish. Get a job, make some money, and if you change your mind in 2-5 years, you'll be a stronger candidate.