STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

rocky · Coach

Don't know what to do....(Really Long)

jah · Dooney & Bourke

So sorry to hear that you are at a crossroads and confused. I know it will sound trite, but in my experience it is these types of situations that have always led to my best decisions and ultimately the best opportunities. That being said I seriously think you should take some time off to think about it before jumping into grad school. You will make a better decision in the long run.

I personally believe we only have one life to live and thus we should live it for what makes us happy and not what makes others happy (but that is easier said then done). On top of that, money doesn't buy happiness. In business it can buy additional stress!

As someone going back for my MBA in the fall, I did some research and discovered that an MBA from a top 20 school is the way to go for networking and long-term job potential. Most of these schools seem to require around 5 years of work experience after a bachelors. After being in the business world for 7 years, I agree with that approach (I didn't even begin to understand the "real business world" in the first couple of years and frankly still have a lot to learn!). How long have you been out of undergrad? If not 5 years, perhaps you could discuss this angle with your parents?

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Well, I definitely think that you shouldn't go back to school just to keep from disappointing your parents. You are 25 and they need to realize that they may or may not agree with all of your life choices but they are yours to make, not theirs.

lynnie · Chanel

I think you should stay at the job now if you enjoy it! You are very lucky to find something you like doing and shouldn't compromise that to get another degree that you aren't sure about. Go back to school when you need a break from work. You can always go to school again after you have a family- my aunt is 45 and going back to school. It's not impossible.

rocky · Coach

jah: I have only been working for 1 year since graduation.

I guess to further complicate things I might be just making excuses because I am too scared or lazy to begin the intense application process. I guess it doesn't hurt to get my MBA earlier, if I want to go back to software, I can after I graduate. I shouldn't stress about school loans. If the schools don't think that I have enough experience, and I don't get in, then at least I tried.

Thanks everyone for listening!!!

-- Edited by rocky at 00:14, 2005-06-28

jah · Dooney & Bourke

If it is school loans stopping you, I wouldn't stress about those. School loan debt is an investment IMO. AND you have 30 years to pay it off... and interest rates are so low right now. If it is fear holding you back and not actually your heart, then GO...but if your heart is telling you not to do it, live for yourself, not your parents! I'm sure they disappointed their parents at some point or another in the past too... and they'll get over it!

nyc_shopgirl · Dooney & Bourke

Rocky,

Do what you want to do because it is your life. Your parents will be happy when you are happy. Also I totally recommend Quarterlife Crisis book. I know getting an MBA can be up in the air as far as whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. I have found working at a Fortune 3 company that it is good once you are established within the company but they do hire MBAs. You need to find your passion which you just have not found yet but once you do you will excel and feel great. There are a lot of things you can do to excel in IT. You can get your project management certification, learn more about quality (six sigma), or take a deep dive into a technology that you like. Most companies want a person with depth not breadth. Knowing you know one technology even if it is cobol means you have the ability to understand technology and that is a great asset.

Good luck and know you have a lot of options in front of you. I am still building my career and I am 3 years out of college into my third job (all were in IT but different roles).

shopgirl82 · Chanel

my initial thought was grad school is a lot of money to spend on something that you're not entirely sure of. that being said, if you're ready and know what you want to do, and are motivated, then it's a great INVESTMENT.

my other thought was, your parents have control up until you're 18. after that, you are your own person. i have seen many of my friends continue to let their parents control their lives, and it makes me so sad. yes, your parents support you, but you have the ultimate say on YOUR life. i think if you told them that 80-100 thousand and happiness is more important than 200 thousand or so, they would understand. (what's wrong with 80-100 thousand?! a lot of people would be happy to make that much money). my bf works in a similar field (i think, i'm still not sure EXACTLY what he does) but if you want to pm me, we can compare notes and i can tell you a bit about his experiences.

good luck sweetie. i think i might read the book that nyc_shopgirl suggested. i couldn't hurt?! i'm not having a crisis, but i constantly think what else is there that could improve my life?!(although i know a lot of things, i just need the motivation sometimes).