OK, ladies I need a sanity check. DH and I had a very LOOONG conversation yesterday and I think I have made the decision to leave my job in August and go back to school full time to finish my MBA in May. DH's salary is enough to cover us both, plus we got a lot of $$ from the wedding, so financially we're ok. Plus I can go on his medical insurance, so no real worries there (although his is arguably worse than mine, but what can you do I guess). It would be great being done in May so we can start achieving our next goals, career-wise and personally, and it will give us a jump start on doing so before we start a family which is something we'd want to do before we're 35 (we'll be 30 this fall). Only thing is, I am a little uncomfortable about not having a job. And going to school full-time somewhere that's not exactly top tier. I mean, where I go is by no means a BAD school -- it's ranked by Business Week and all -- but it's not exactly Wharton either. What do you all think??
daisybride
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I applaud you for making this decision. As far as i am concerned it is never to late to go back to school and you will only be strenthening your future. If you can financially swing it then GO FOR IT! You should be very proud of yourself. Most people do not have this kind of courage. Don't worry about the school, you are still getting an education a degree. Education is something that you get out of it what you put in. Degree names do not count in most cases when you go for a job. YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!! Best of Luck
AlisonMT
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Thanks, daisy! I needed that!
I guess I should have clarified, though...I am currently employed full time at this school (where I'm also doing my MBA) and right now they are paying for my education while I work full-time. But it's been absolute H-E-L-L. I've been like a crazy woman trying to do both and feeling like I'm not giving 100% to either. And now I have DH too. We want to spend time together doing fun things as a young married couple before we start a family, and time's starting to run out. Is it wise, though, to give up the job to finish the MBA? I'd be done in May, rather than in 2 years, but is it worth being unemployed...?
alina
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Hi Alison: I remember you venting abouth both School and Work in a different thread and I totally feel for you.
I think you might be making a right decision, if for nothing else, simply for your and DH sanity. You may want to look and see how the placement stats are for the program, by now they should have 2002 grad year stats, which was not a great economic environment, but may give you the worst case scenario type of thing.
But otherwise, given what you were experiencing at your job, I don't see why not... Go for it.
Sassyz75
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I am going through my MBA right now and I am employed full-time. This is because the field I am in will only help me get a job when I am done with the degree. If your current job holds no correlation to what you want to do when you finish, then don't work (or get a small PT retail job for extra cash for jeans, make-up, etc). However, if your current job is in the field you plan to stay in, I would continue to work... maybe you can come to an agreement with your boss for reduced hours or flex time?
AlisonMT
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I am going to talk to my boss this week but to answer your question, Sassy, no, I am not in the field now that I want to be in. There's really no place for me to grow or move up here, and it's not like the MBA will help in the sense of getting a promotion or raise here. So the job here doesn't really hold a correlation to my next one, other than that it pays for the degree.
Sassyz75
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Then honestly I wouldn't work. IF anything I would go to school and try to get an internship in the field you want to work in.
I already work in the field I want to work in. I find because the job market is tight, you need to have the experience AND the degree.. so I think the internship would be key to land you that awesome job in May- especially since there is no guarantee the job market will be better by then.
However, if your current job pays for the degree and you have no other means for paying it except for loans I would stay. I'm taking loans out now and will start saving this year for next years tuition. It stinks b/c I am postponing the eventual purchase of a house, but better off paying now than coming out with a degree and 25k in debt!
Lunatrek
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I think you are making the right decision! I congratulate you! Believe me, if I was able to do what you plan on doing, I would jump in with both feet!! It sounds like you thought everything out perfectly, I say go for it and don't look back. You will experience some sacrifices, but I bet you will do so much better in school, without having work distractions. GOOD LUCK!!!!
firegal
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I commend you for this decision. If I could swing it, I would be a professional student. I loved school and I think you should never limit your education. You're very lucky to have such a supportive FH. I was accepted to both business school for my MBA and and also to a different school for an MA in Education for teaching (I wasn't sure what I wanted to do) and I never pursued either secondary degree because my career started to take off and FH and I started discussing marriage, and I honestly didn't think I could handle it all. Once we are married and settled, I think I'm going to go back a few nights a week. I envy you - Go for it.
pschica
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good for you - follow your heart!!!
Becky
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Alison, in the end you need to do what you are the most comfortable with, and I hesitate to say this, but want to be honest with you. If I was in your shoes, I would keep going part time and working full time. That opinion may be clouded by all of the school loans that I am currently paying back. It seems to me that one more year at your job is a drop in the bucket and to not have to pay for a year of school is nothing to shrug your shoulders at. Also, if the job market does not significantly improve you may be looking at up to six months or more of job searching after you get your degree and you may at that point regret giving up your job now.
But like I said, you have to do what you are comfortable with. I am someone that likes to play it safe. I support your decision either way
NovemberSue
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I think its great.
WithThisRing
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I think its a great idea and you are not crazy for doing it. You will do great in school and maybe meet some new Delta's
prncssrachel
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Take it from someone who was in the opposite position last year (JT was in school fulltime and I was supporting us both on my salary)...DO IT! They'll never be another time to go and just get it done. JT and I are turning the tables this year and I am going back to school full time to finish my masters, so I think you should just get it done. Come May, you will be so relieved. If you are really worried about a job though, a friend of mine did his MBA in a year by taking classes Fridays and Saturdays and now he's done, has his dream job and can relax. I think he went to Audrey Cohen. I know they changed the name recently, but he loved it. He said it was worth not having weekends for a while.
dgtlsunshine
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Hey sweetie :
I know your feelings exactly. Especially after I got married I felt the same way. After work and then school I was lucky if I saw my husband standing up.
If we could swing me going to school fulltime and paying for it I would do it. However my job pays for me to go to school.
I think its a good idea but I also agree with the person that said if you are going to leave your job that is paying for school to take out student loans then I would not do it.
AlisonMT
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I don't think I'll need to take out loans...I think our wedding $$ can cover it. I hate losing the income and the fact that work pays for it, but it's a quality of life thing. It's SUCH a hard decision to make!!
Sassyz75
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I work full-time and go to school part-time. It could totally be done. If my company paid for me to go to school, I would work! Why spend the wedding money when it could go towards a house, vacation, car, etc...
that's just my opinion. Working & going to school is tough, yes, but it is not impossible. I don't know where you are going- but with intersession classes you can totally get done quick (unlike slacker me who takes NO summer/intersession classes).
cluelessbride
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As someone who put off finishing her undergrad degree for a long time (I'm still working on it) I think that whenever you have a chance (and the desire) to go to school, you should.
If you really want your MBA, I say get it now.
Education is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Take the time out to do it right, and enjoy it.
Jeanene
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Wow - this is a tough decision.
I am probably going to offer a different point of view. If at all possible, my advice is to stay with your job and continue your MBA while working. I offer this advice for two reasons. First, they are paying for your schooling - what an awesome deal (8 years later I am still paying off my MBA). And second, the job market right now really ****s. In a market like this, I would not give up a job without having another job in the wings.
