ok so I'm about to go get lunch, so I'm gonna try to explain most of the facets of the situation and then I'll come back in a little bit.

I'm 22, and I "graduated" from state last summer; however, I still have to finish up two courses (keep this in mind for later). I'm currently attending a 1yr mSc. program at a very reputable university in nyc, the program is very rigorous. I also recently landed a job. The job is basically the kind of job i wanted to land AFTER graduating from my program. The job is full-time.

I'm debating between doing the job and the program concurrently versus leaving the program. I don't mind missing some of the classes that coincide with the time of day that I would be working, but it could be very difficult to coordinate taking some of the tests, for instance I have a test tomorrow at 1pm, and I'm still not sure how I'm going to be able to take it.

Having the degree doesn't really matter to my current employer, and I really don't think it would affect my progression within the company. The point where having the degree will probably matter the most is if this current job doesn't work out. Having the degree will make it exponentially easier to find another job within the industry, so not having the degree is taking a big gamble that the current career path is going to work out.

This may be vague, and I can clear some stuff up later, but any insights on what to do? The program is in financial engineering, and my current job is training to be a commodity options trader, if that helps define the situation more.




edit:

oh yea, the reason i said keep in mind that i still have to finish 2 state classes is because not doing the program would also allow me to tie up some loose ends in places. I feel like i have 5 different situations going on right now.

[Edited on September 4, 2006 at 3:35 PM. Reason : edit]

9/4/2006 3:33:39 PM

whatever you do, finish your degree.

9/4/2006 3:54:47 PM

this close to graduation, you'd be an idiot not to finish. what if your job doesn't pan out?

9/4/2006 3:57:20 PM

Take the job and do well, the mSc program is not going anywhere

9/4/2006 3:57:49 PM

will you get a higher-paying job if you have a degree? if not, then take the job.

9/4/2006 3:57:52 PM

at the least, someday he will have a job that pays higher for having a degree

get the degree

9/4/2006 4:04:47 PM

yeah id finish ur 2 state programs and take the job. plenty of employers will let you do continued education while working so that option is available if the current situation doesnt pan out.

industry experience will help you in the future equally much as a MS (until everyone else ur competing with also has the same exp, then it just becomes a tiebreaker)

9/4/2006 4:07:34 PM

just to clarify, i'm definetly going to finish my state degree, i'm talking about the grad program.

9/4/2006 4:37:12 PM

FYI, MSc = Master of Science in Operations Research

You do NOT want to miss classes with ANY advanced/professional degree, period. Your employer and your classwork are going to conflict too much just from the mentioning of having classes during the day. Unless your employer is cool with you having to leave randomly during the work week (which is possible, some folks do primarily independent work), you will be struggling to show up for tests, turn in assignments, etc. Go for the advanced degree unless you plan on working for your present company for the rest of your life (not likely).

I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but if you can swing it for a year while getting the advanced degree, do so. You can obtain $18,500 in stafford loans ASAP to start. Work out the rest from there. Oh, right, and you might want to talk to some professionals about this. NCSU Career Center and your former undergraduate advisors would probably be two good resources to start with.

[Edited on September 4, 2006 at 5:10 PM. Reason : .]

9/4/2006 5:05:39 PM

if you don't have a undergrad degree, how could you go to grad school?

9/4/2006 5:08:45 PM

If the grad school you are at will allow you to defer your enrollment for a year or so and let you come back without reapplying, and you won't lose a significant amount of money by leaving the program now, then it can wait a year. You never know, working at this job may make you want to take your schooling in an entirely different direction, and you are still young.

9/4/2006 8:35:36 PM

I think im gonna leave the program.

9/4/2006 10:21:37 PM

How many people stay at the first place they were employed?


The answer is zero. Get the degree.

9/4/2006 10:25:40 PM

but if i do trading i'm essentially going to be my own boss anyway, and i'll have connections and a track record, the program i'm in now is more for quants than traders. I used it to get a job, now i don't think i really need it. I mean it would be a nice backup plan, but I'm not sure it's worth it right now, i can always go back to a program if i want it later on in life.

9/4/2006 10:29:05 PM

I'd go with the job. Real world experience is much higher valued by employers than masters unless you have to have the masters to do the job.

[Edited on September 4, 2006 at 10:35 PM. Reason : Also, you could try to get your employer to pay for you to get the degree later.]

9/4/2006 10:34:43 PM

Quote :

"i can always go back to a program if i want it later on in life"

Serious question, have you factored family into this? Not that it is necessarily an inhibitor, but it definitely isn't going to make things any easier.

Another option is to defer enrollment (if they'll allow it) until next year to give you some more time to think. An advanced degree should be something you really want and are willing to put a commitment into ... not just something to be done on the side.

9/4/2006 10:35:54 PM

Get the degree now while you can.. Otherwise you'll get a job... Like it or not like it.. Get another job and so on and next thing you know it's 10 years later and you haven't finished your degree...

9/4/2006 10:39:09 PM

Definately finish. Why would you waste your money by not getting the degree at the end of your hard work. True you've gained the experience even without the degree, but sadly people want to see that piece of paper.

When you accepted the job, you should have made it a condition of taking the position that you would be given flexibility in order to finish your degree.

9/6/2006 2:08:35 PM

Unless you're getting your PhD, after you've had your first real job, your education history takes a back seat to your work expierence. If the job is good and you're happy with it, the job should take priority. Having done well and an important job makes it easy to get other important jobs. In the working world, they're going to ask you what you've done, not what you've studied.

9/6/2006 2:23:12 PM

You fucktards really need to learn to read.

Quote :

"just to clarify, i'm definetly going to finish my state degree, i'm talking about the grad program."

Did you end up leaving the program snuwpack?

9/6/2006 4:01:56 PM

yes, I did. It's a very risky move, but I think it has serious upside potential. I figure I'm only 22, if I decide that this career path isn't exactly what I was looking for, I can either leverage my experience to make a lateral move, or I can always consider going back to a similar program. I mean I was definetly among the youngest in the program.

I'm excited about the prospects this job has. Thanks for all the advice. In the end I had to listen to my gut. I'm a risk taker.

9/6/2006 9:05:14 PM

Quote :

"not having the degree is taking a big gamble"

Commodity options trader, and you're worried about taking gambles?

Are you sure you're in the right profession?

Bud Fox, you need Gordon Gekko to take you under his wing and explain to you the ways of the Street.



The worst thing that could happen to you is you get stuck owning a couple hundred contracts on pork bellies, the shirt on your back, and you're going bust for Brooklyn.

9/6/2006 9:27:19 PM

Quote :

"Commodity options trader, and you're worried about taking gambles? Are you sure you're in the right profession? "

Quote :

"In the end I had to listen to my gut. I'm a risk taker."

come on, are you guys even trying

9/6/2006 9:30:44 PM

double post says "No more school"

[Edited on September 6, 2006 at 9:32 PM. Reason : lkjs]

9/6/2006 9:32:05 PM

We are trying, but I am too busy dicking around on the internet with my completed degree and financial security to worry about absolving a situation involving being someone's bitch at a financial institution.

They'll run you into the ground, Bud Fox, keep chugging that Excel Spreadsheet.

9/6/2006 9:33:09 PM

^lol you clearly don't understand the job of a commodity options trader on the floor.

9/6/2006 9:36:19 PM

So why are you on TWW posting about it instead of taking night classes?

Sure, I guess it's all too complicated for me. I guess I'm just feeding the fire by even posting here.

When you're done trading, you should go hang out with mytwocents at her California red carpet galas.

9/6/2006 9:38:03 PM

bc my classes were during the day.

9/6/2006 9:39:02 PM

I am surprised you made it in life as far as you did without the resolve to find a solution to this very simple problem without boasting about it in the form of polling a bunch of anonymous internet idiots.

If you're really employed in the manner that you are, you need to talk to someone in your cadre who can work with you. That's as far as I'll go with it, because as you belabor this point it'll just get more ridiculous.

You can thank me with a round share of OJU in assisting you with your backup plan in case you get fired and have to go knocking on the door of Goldman, but as for the rest of this topic, I am done.

9/6/2006 9:43:12 PM

you must be extremely bored.

9/6/2006 9:45:56 PM

an employer who really cares about you and your future would encourage you to finish your education. if an employer is encouraging you to drop out of school, they are being way too pushy and who knows what they will ask you to sell your soul for! don't be walked on!

what are you goals? act in accordance to that.

9/6/2006 11:20:03 PM