Education question?

[ar0ck]

Just curious if anyone here on the forums has been able to obtain their Masters degree in any field and still be able to work?

With only a year of school left I've been tossing around the idea of attending a graduate school out of state provided I can completely rid myself of debt by the end of next year. If I were to go away to school and pay for it through loans, do you guys think with a masters level of academic load, would working part time to sustain myself be possible?

I'd consider myself to be an average student, but I've never really hunkered down into a strict school schedule. This semester and my following 3 that are left are the first ones I have ever gone to school full time (12 credits) in nearly 5 years since I graduated High School and I still put in 60+ hours of work a week. I've been working practically every day since I turned 16 and the idea of not working is a little foreign to me.

Just looking for some opinions or ideas. I'm a history major without the faintest idea of what I want to do with it.

[1_Hot_SOM_WS6]

I have been tossing around the idea of getting my MBA. I def would not be able to attend traditional style classes though. I think that would be to much. Online class...perhaps would work.
A guy I work with works full time (on our crappy 1245-9pm shift) and has 3 young kids all under the age of 8. So he spends his AM's watching the kids. He is mid-way through obtaining his MBA. I guess if he can do all that...its possible.

[BonzoHansen]

I got my MBA from monmouth at night and the job paid for most of it.

[Knipps]

After my 6 years are up I don't think I'll be able to take much more of school

[redbanditZ28]

I am currently enrolled in Thomas Edison State College which is meant for adults moreso and it is a smaller college out of Trenton. Their graduate level degrees are all online and so far I am doing well balancing my full HR job while going for my HR Management M.A.. The program is somewhat easy so far and the whole thing costs only around $17000 for the whole degree. I realize it is not as well known of a school as others in NJ, but the price is unbeatable compared to FDU, Rutgers, and Central Michigan online. And TESC is also middle states accredited like Rutgers and FDU, just a smaller college.

Also, looking to pursue FDU's Hospitality Management M.A. after I am done with this one. My brother is just finishing up his Executive level MBA at FDU and the classes meet on every Saturday from about 9-4 or 5. Otherwise, I am not sure if other colleges offer anything outside of the conventional MBA program except if its online. Then again, you can always go part time while working. But usually, the longer you take to graduate, the more rates go up along the way. Does your job offer education assistance?

[madness410]

it depends what field you want to go into...granted higher degrees usually equal higher pay..

but for instance, i want to go into law enforcement. a masters in law enforcement i hear would make you overqualified for the job, and it would be tough to get one because they dont want to pay you. but later down the line i would want to teach at a college criminal justice so im going to go for it.

also if you land a job, sometimes employers will pay for a higher degree

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by ar0ck

Just looking for some opinions or ideas. I'm a history major without the faintest idea of what I want to do with it.

one thing i wouldn't do is start spending money on grad school before knowing what it is you want to do

[1_Hot_SOM_WS6]

Originally Posted by redbanditZ28

I am currently enrolled in Thomas Edison State College which is meant for adults moreso and it is a smaller college out of Trenton. Their graduate level degrees are all online and so far I am doing well balancing my full HR job while going for my HR Management M.A.. The program is somewhat easy so far and the whole thing costs only around $17000 for the whole degree. I realize it is not as well known of a school as others in NJ, but the price is unbeatable compared to FDU, Rutgers, and Central Michigan online. And TESC is also middle states accredited like Rutgers and FDU, just a smaller college.

I was actually thinking about going to Thomas Edison. How do you like it? I was looking into Rowans new online program but its going to take forever for me to complete the degree. I know of a few people that went to T.E for their masters. $17k isnt to bad. It will def be worth it in the long run!

[ShitOnWheels]

Alex. I have been in grad school since July 2005, and I have been working full time the entire time (granted it's been in public schools, but it's still full time). I have also been 1.5 hours away from my grad school, so I've had to drive there on top of working and maintaining a social life. The past 2 years I have been taking 3 grad classes plus working. This semester and next I am doing my internship full time, attending 3 classes, AND babysitting (I don't get paid in my internship yet, so I have to bring in income somehow).

If you know how to time manage, you will be fine. I have been doing this since 05 and I have a 3.85 GPA (only 2 Bs in 59 credits so far). You could continue substituting and attend grad school at night (depending on what you want to do anyway). My program is all at night. It's not too hard, but you do have to hunker down and set a schedule, especially if you don't have time management skills or they aren't too good yet.

Short story...it can be done.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

one thing i wouldn't do is start spending money on grad school before knowing what it is you want to do

Solid advice.As is the comment about being overqualified. For instance if you try to teach with a masters you won't get a job due to union scales.

[PBodyGT87]

Most masters classes are offered at night so that you can take them after work. I believe the work load is much greater but you usually only do about 2 classes per week, in some cases. You could also do it online. There are a lot of jobs that will pay for it as well.

[ar0ck]

We'll I have been substitute teaching in my towns high school for the past year. I sent in a letter of intent to become a Para-Professional opening (techers aid) but have not heard anything yet. I already have my AA in Liberal Arts, and I did good in community college, but my grades slipped last year at William Paterson so I'm working on bringing my GPA back up to par.

What I'm pretty much trying to do is leave as many doors open as possible just in case. I've been applying to Officer Candidate School for the Marine Corps, but am weary of prior medical history that might keep me out of it. If that works out I'll be able to pay for continued education without worries, if not I'm on my own. I originally wanted to do secondary education teaching History but have kept my eyes & ears open for Civilian/Military jobs that deal with history.

[redbanditZ28]

Originally Posted by 1_Hot_SOM_WS6

I was actually thinking about going to Thomas Edison. How do you like it? I was looking into Rowans new online program but its going to take forever for me to complete the degree. I know of a few people that went to T.E for their masters. $17k isnt to bad. It will def be worth it in the long run!

Like other people said, a lot of the time it takes to finish a degree depends on the type of degree and what the subject is on. For instance, most MBAs cost more and take a few more credits than an M.A. degree. I am peforming fine at TESC so far. It's only my second semester, but so far it is both interesting and not too challenging. I like the not too challenging part myself after going to a place like Rutgers. Of course you already realize that you have to be motivated to sit in front of your computer when you get home from work, but I like the HR Management program so far. I can't speak for the other programs, but I can at least tell you that I know of two others that did the HR masters from TESC and both have recently gotten promoted because of it. Part of the reason why I got hired at my job is because I told them I am looking to continue my education in the interview. Also, with the rate I am going, I may finish close to the 1 1/2 year mark. But its cheap and effective and I think their program has a better reputation than most online colleges out there. I mean it's a step up from Phoenix or Capella online, which aren't Middle States Accredited and currently have a bad reputation for having so many graduate, but TESC is a local college and should be more recognized by NJ employers. Some employers I've met on interviews have actually talked down about Phoenix U because of how much they advertise on websites, or some never heard of them. Frankly, I'd consider iTESC along the lines of a Kean, William Paterson, Ramopo prestige, but thats just me.
But try getting an job or co-op with a company to make sure you want to do what you want to do first. I know I already love HR, and knowing what you want to do is half the battle. The other half is prefecting yourself at what you do once you've figured it out.

Just FYI, an MBA is usually more marketable than an M.S. because it gives a broader business base which can include multiple things like Finance, accounting, leadership, and so forth. Usually M.A. degrees are more specific. Just in case you are going that route. But both are great to have to give you a step up from the stiff competition of the harsh labor market. And in this day and age, I'd go with a cheap and effective degree because most people spend a good portion of their lives paying the loans off for grad school. And it is never a guarantee that just because you go to a prestigious grad school that you are going to land a great paying job as soon as you finish a graduate degree to pay off the debt. Just food for thought.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

one thing i wouldn't do is start spending money on grad school before knowing what it is you want to do

Great advice. You don't want to go through a Master's program and pile on a lot of debt for a degree you may not use.

I have a Master's in Computer Science from Villanova. I use the info pretty frequently, but I am probably a bit of a special case because I got a full ride to go there.

I wouldn't drop down any money or take out a loan until you have a plan of what you want to do with the degree. Otherwise it's a double edged sword- 1, you now have a lot of debt, and 2, the time you spent studying/in class was not time spent working. So if you don't use it you actually spent MORE money than just tuition.

[CHRIS67]

You might want to look into the Centenary CAPS (centernary college Hackettstown NJ) program. I did my BS through there while working and having a family. They have a Masters program that you get your degree in 20 months. It gets a little hairy at times, but it would allow you to make money while advancing your education. Most companies pay for this too.

[1_Hot_SOM_WS6]

Thanks for all the info redbanditz28

[redbanditZ28]

No problem. There are other colleges out of state that have reputable online programs. I am not a great test taker, which is sort of why I picked TESC. No GMATS/GREs required. Just a 2.75 Cumulative GPA or higher and depending on the major, some job experience. You'll save a few grand alone by forgoing GMAT prep courses and actually having to take the stupid GMAT multiple times. I've heard good things about Centenary college as well. If you are looking to land a job within NJ, most local colleges will do just fine. I mean unless you are looking to go somewhere like NYU or Cornell, I'd say save your money and avoid paying out of state fees. The fact that you are looking to get your graduate degree in the first place will put you a step up from someone that isn't.

I've heard it time and time again, education is the best investment you can ever make.

[Untamed]

Like the others have said, don't enter a program until you know what the end-game should look like. Simply getting a Masters degree doesn't automatically make you qualified, or more valuable, in the eyes of certain employers.

Your loose direction of maybe military, maybe civilian, means you still aren't sure. You are also finishing your undergraduate degree so things may happen (good or bad) by the time you graduate. While its important to know if you plan to continue your education, before you graduate with your undergraduate degree, you should also understand what career choice you want to make before then as well. This combined with an understanding of what an employer looks for, in your chosen career, will help you decide to continue your education or not.

If you take a military track, do NOT enter a Masters degree. Enter the military (preferably as an officer) and let the military pay for your continued education. They WILL have opportunities for you to get additional education and training, no matter where you are stationed. Even ship-board duty (as a marine or naval officer) has educators who are on board to provide education. But again, if you elect to do this, think about your military career, or civilian career once your military obligation is complete.

If you choose a civilian track, make sure your career choice has additional opportunities for people with advanced education. While software, phamaceutical, legal, medical research, academia and a host of other "professional" career paths pay more for those with an advanced degree, others wont even hire unless you have an advanced degree. Career paths like law enforcement, photography, truck driving, and other "blue collar" type jobs may not have as many opportunities for those with advanced degrees. Think about where you want to end up then talk to someone already in that position. Find out if it makes sense to continue beyond your undergraduate degree.

Good luck.