By Krista, Contributor
I have nine days to make a decision. And sometimes the best way for me to process is to either write it all down or ask everyone I know for their opinions. This blog post is about to become a mind dump where I do both of those things. Apologies in advance.
Anyway…
I have nine days to decide whether to continue the grad school program I started in January.
I applied after our company was sold last year and our department budget slashed and staff slashed by a lot. Well, truth be told, I applied to grad school after I applied for a job that said “masters degree preferred” and for the longest time I didn’t even get a phone call. And I was pissed. My current job changed to something that wasn’t challenging me and wasn’t adding anything new to my resume, so on a whim I applied to WVU’s online masters program. My thought was “well if I’m not going to do anything here to look good on paper, I better find another way.”
So I applied. I got in. I decided to go for it.
I took the first of 11 nine-week classes in January. I finished up right before Cole was born. Then I took the next semester off. Because newborn + toddler + c-section recovery = little sleep and a level of functioning that means doing anything more than the sheer basics is just plain silly. My plan was to go back for the summer session in May.
But then our basement flooded. I went back to work. And I didn’t think it was the right time to either A) spend the 2K on a class or B) be occupied by something else.
And now it’s almost time for the fall term. There are two nine-week sessions. But I’m torn.
On one hand, I know that getting the degree is something that no one can ever take away from me. I know it makes my resume look better. I know that I will learn all the things I know I need to know more about, and more about the things I think I already know.
BUT.
You guys? I don’t know if I have the stamina to see this one through. It’s A LOT of work. Duh, right? I guess I should have seen that going in. But I didn’t. I didn’t have the right appreciation for the amount of time that would be spent doing research. Or writing papers. Or posting on the online discussion board. Lunch hours, nights after the kids go to bed, weekends while my parents babysit will all be spent doing grad school work. And I will still feel like I don’t put enough time into the program.
And also? It’s expensive. And I can’t help but feel guilty for spending (well borrowing) that much money for a degree I’m not sure I need (I’ll get to that in a second) when I could or should be spending it on my family. Saving the money instead for the kids’ college educations, perhaps? Lord knows it will probably cost them 40 bazillion dollars for a four-year college.
The fact is, I live in a small town. Between two slightly larger towns and a two hour drive to the nearest city, this area is not overloaded with opportunity. The Marketing/PR jobs I’m interested in are not that plentiful, which adds to both sides of my argument. On one hand, I have a hard time believing that not having the Masters hurts me here as much as it would in a more metropolitan area. On the other, there is a boatload of competition for the few jobs that do open.
So, I’m torn. Do I go? Do I risk spending more money on something I’m already beginning to doubt that I’ll finish? Do I risk making myself batshit crazy trying to do too much? Do I risk putting us further into debt? Do I spend this time and that energy trying to get more freelance work, improve my blog, and trying to make some money for the words I put on paper?
Or do I jump in, do the best I can and get through the next two years (or so) and pray that it helps me find a new job that pays more and fulfills me more, professionally?
Remember the episode of Friends when Rachel puts Monica in charge of all of her decisions? I really could use a Monica right now.
I recently started reading a very amazing book called: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. In this book which you can get online for cheap and even free, it talks about the need for specialized knowledge and on how we dont really need to know everything as long as we at least have someone on our side that knows it. If you get a chance to read the book before your deadline I would reccomend it. If not, think on what your ideal job is, and think of the specialized knowledge you need to get that job. Does this masters degree provide you with that specialized knowledge you need? Does it make you take classes that you dont really need? Maybe you can just take the classes that provide you with the knowledge you need and skip the rest. Having the specialized knowledge you need is more valuable than any degree.
Hope everything works out for the best for you.
Twitter: mantybat
My 2 cents: if you love the classes/learning part of it, I say go for it. If you’re really only after the degree at the end, maybe put it on hold.
The issue right now is for you to find a more fulfilling professional life, and if attaining the Master’s degree isn’t fulfilling in and of itself, and you don’t see a pressing NEED for that degree, there’s no reason to do it NOW, right? Hope that makes sense, and good luck!!
Twitter: ninjapanza
This past school year I got my professional certificate. Once you’ve been teaching in my state for 3 years, you have to go back to school. Because I already have a Master’s and knew I wouldn’t have the patience to do National Board Certification, I did the straight up basic professional cert program. All my classes were weekday night and online, which I had to be present for, with microphone. I had things to read, evidence to plan and collect, research to do, and lots of writing to do to create a monstrous portfolio. It was tough, especially being a teacher. But I had to do it. I had 5 years to get it done, and once you have kids, I think there is never going to be a right time to do it. So I trudged through, curse words and all, and got it done.
For me I had to do it. It was really tough. I had to rely on my husband a lot. I felt guilty a lot for the time I wasn’t spending with Abby. But I did it, and I learned about some new research, and it really had a great impact on my teaching. In fact, the new school I’m going to next year is starting to focus on this new research for all teachers and the principal was impressed that I knew all about it.
There’s the good and the bad. I heart learning. But I also heart my family. So sorry that I can’t be your Monica and give you an answer on what to do, but I know that sharing experiences is always helpful, and hopefully not too confusing.
It’s a tough choice, and you have to go with your gut. Your gut knows what’s best. It will be hard if you do it, but you will learn more and open up more doors. There are two sides, and you have to think what’s best for you and your family, and only you know that.
Twitter: wa_tracy
PS: my single mom went to grad school and I fared fine. I have no recollection of being upset. So there’s that too.
Twitter: wa_tracy
Okay, so you have started it right? And if you are trying to change jobs, you can put on your resume that your Master’s is in progress. And, it will be a great talking point. You can talk about how you are so interested in finishing it and maybe if you switch jobs/interview for jobs that need a Master’s Degree it will give you that push to keep working on it. But, if your job doesn’t need it now and your company isn’t helping pay for it, then I think you have question if this is the right time.
Every profession is different. In my field, education, most districts require a Masters Degree or pay more if you have a Master’s Degree so there is an extrinsic incentive more than intrinsic.
Maybe winter term, when C is done coaching and things are a little more 50/50 at home? Just a thought…
Twitter: mamaofthefisch
Tough conundrum. You’ve gotten some good advice here. I started my master’s before I got pregnant and pushed through until I had Shelby. Then I took an extra year to finish because, well, having a baby and doing anything else (work, school, being a wife) is hard! It does take a level of commitment that can be elusive, and it takes a level of authentic interest the area you’re getting a master’s in. I agree that if you only want it for the professional opportunity and you think you can get by without it for a few more years, I’d wait. But if you’re passionate about the field, then consider jumping in. Just be prepared to sacrifice some family and personal time (which there’s never enough of anyway, sadly). Good luck and remember that whatever you decide now isn’t permanent. You can always change your mind in six months.
This is tough. I would say maybe do it – for a few reasons. I feel like in the Marketing/PR pro area (my hubs is in marketing & so are several friends) that it a Masters is highly sought after. My husband doesn’t have his but does realize that a lot of employers really value it. I did my Masters when it was just Lanagan and it was tough. Good luck to you if you do it! Definitely a tough call.