Here are my alternatives to graduate school for those who are thinking about going BUT have no idea about how it will get you forward towards actual life goals.

1. Go get an internship in the field in which you think you want to work —- you can do this for 5 hours every week volunteering. EVERY INDUSTRY takes free labor. You just have to seek out the right person. Be committed. Do it for  a minimum of 3 months.

2. Start reading the best books in your new field and listening to lectures online. Buy the books used or go to the library. Audit classes at your largest & nearest university. Just sit in and see how long it takes to get kicked out. OR just show up the first day of every class in the degree program and get the course syllabuses. Here is one excellent example.

3. Find a mentor; pick someone who is doing GREAT at the job you want to do. Buy them lunch or coffee EVERY TIME you can. Mow their lawn if you have to. Ask them for direction and insights.

4. Take an entry level job and work your way up. This can still be done and happens all of the time for people who are motivated. At the very least it gets you closer to finding a mentor and gives you an up close view of what you think you want to do but aren’t very sure about. Plus you are getting paid rather than acquiring bills.

5. Create your own opportunity. The hardest path possibly, but well worth the sweat and probably a better use of your dollars. If you are going to spend $60k-ish on school, why not invest that capital in your very own brand new endeavor. Build the thing that you want to do from the ground up. Do it on the side after you have done steps 1-4. Take the leap when momentum gets going. Get a loan if necessary. At least you have a better upside possibility.