Keep the job or pursue higher education?

Kinetics · 10-28-2008, 12:16 AM

I'm in a relatively stable job with good pay and have been saving up my money. Now the whole world economy is in turmoil, or so they say, sometimes it feels like the media is exaggerating the whole thing since I don't feel affected at this point. Anyhow, back to my point...

I've been wanting to study one of two things, that's why I've been saving up. Here's a quick bullet-point:

1. Learn Chinese
+ I love Chinese culture, hence my interest. But there is business potential in China, which is also why I think its going to be a plus to be able to speak it.
+ I'm already taking weekend classes so I want to enhance it further by studying abroad preferrably in Beijing.
- It can take many years to really use it as part of my skill set, especially in business. (I speak 2 other languages aside from English so I would like to add Chinese into the list.)

2. MBA Program
+ Whatever field I am going to work next, I think having this is an advantage.
+ Take a 2-year course and unless I fail exams, I should be able to complete it in that time frame.
- I am not as interested in this as learning Chinese.

Preferrably I'd like to quit my job and dedicate my time in studying, but with the way the economy is, that might be a luxury. So another way of doing it is taking weekend crash courses, Chinese or MBA, there are many that offer such courses but that's not what I'm looking for.

Some people say when the economy is down, its a good time to invest in yourself and come back to the market with a new set of skills. But this...current one seems a bit abnormal. I expect the economy to come back up but I feel there is a huge risk if I leave my job as well.

Any advice?

denise_14 · 10-28-2008, 02:30 AM

I'm also dying to take further studies. i just feel that my life won't be complete if i won't take one and that i should not stop and be contented with a single bachelor's degree. anyways, if you feel that you've got enough money to sustain your needs, then go for it! well, you have the option to study part-time if you're not quite sure of leaving your job. if you become a full-time student on the other hand, you'll be able to focus on your studies, finish the course and get back on track in lesser time! weigh the pros and cons. either you go part-time or full-time, i'd say once you feel the yearning, go for it. we can never tell, your desire to study now may not be as strong as say, in a year's time. don't lose the momentum! ^__^

10-28-2008, 12:16 AM	#1
Kinetics Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 256	Keep the job or pursue higher education? I'm in a relatively stable job with good pay and have been saving up my money. Now the whole world economy is in turmoil, or so they say, sometimes it feels like the media is exaggerating the whole thing since I don't feel affected at this point. Anyhow, back to my point... I've been wanting to study one of two things, that's why I've been saving up. Here's a quick bullet-point: 1. Learn Chinese + I love Chinese culture, hence my interest. But there is business potential in China, which is also why I think its going to be a plus to be able to speak it. + I'm already taking weekend classes so I want to enhance it further by studying abroad preferrably in Beijing. - It can take many years to really use it as part of my skill set, especially in business. (I speak 2 other languages aside from English so I would like to add Chinese into the list.) 2. MBA Program + Whatever field I am going to work next, I think having this is an advantage. + Take a 2-year course and unless I fail exams, I should be able to complete it in that time frame. - I am not as interested in this as learning Chinese. Preferrably I'd like to quit my job and dedicate my time in studying, but with the way the economy is, that might be a luxury. So another way of doing it is taking weekend crash courses, Chinese or MBA, there are many that offer such courses but that's not what I'm looking for. Some people say when the economy is down, its a good time to invest in yourself and come back to the market with a new set of skills. But this...current one seems a bit abnormal. I expect the economy to come back up but I feel there is a huge risk if I leave my job as well. Any advice?

10-28-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
denise_14 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: somewhere here... Gender: Female Posts: 517	I'm also dying to take further studies. i just feel that my life won't be complete if i won't take one and that i should not stop and be contented with a single bachelor's degree. anyways, if you feel that you've got enough money to sustain your needs, then go for it! well, you have the option to study part-time if you're not quite sure of leaving your job. if you become a full-time student on the other hand, you'll be able to focus on your studies, finish the course and get back on track in lesser time! weigh the pros and cons. either you go part-time or full-time, i'd say once you feel the yearning, go for it. we can never tell, your desire to study now may not be as strong as say, in a year's time. don't lose the momentum! ^__^ __________________ Absence does for love what the wind does for flame: it extinguishes the weak and feeds the strong...