YabbaDabba Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I currently work part-time at a library and am enrolling in grad. school this fall so I can become a librarian. Currently, I'm still deciding between two grad. programs, and it's basically all going to come down to how much financial aid they give me. One program is in Boston and I've had my fingers crossed about getting a good financial aid package, because I think I'd have a good time in Boston. BUT today, one of the higher-ups at my current job pulled me aside and told me that two positions are opening up at the library and wanted to know if I might be interested in applying. Both of these positions are full-time, full benefits and I'd get a $3 raise. So, my dilemma...if I apply for this job and get hired, it basically means passing on going to school in Boston. My other grad. program is online and is probably about $10,000 cheaper than the Boston program. I rrrrreally want to go to Boston, but I feel like if I apply for this job and get hired, I'd be an idiot NOT to take it since I plan on getting my masters in library science. On the other hand, though, I kind of dislike the city where I'm currently living--it's my hometown, but after I finished college and moved back here, it just feels so podunk and SMALL. So, another reason I was looking forward to moving is so I could get the heck outta here. Still, everything in me tells me that, with the way the economy is these days, I'd be a complete idiot not to take this job if I get it. Sorry...I don't know what my question is, really. My dad and my sister both said, "You should take it" without hesitation, so I guess I'm looking for other perspectives. Anyone? Link to comment
COtuner Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Can you get a deferment to Boston for a year, giving you the chance to work the job and then maybe go to school when things look a little more positive? It's a bit of a risk but you have time to figure out what you want, and maybe save some money and gain on the job experience. Link to comment
YabbaDabba Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Can you get a deferment to Boston for a year, giving you the chance to work the job and then maybe go to school when things look a little more positive? It's a bit of a risk but you have time to figure out what you want, and maybe save some money and gain on the job experience. Yeah, I considered deferring the Boston school. I haven't receive my financial aid package from them, but I'm expecting it to cost about $10,000 more than the online program. So, I don't know, unless something fabulous happens with the Boston school, I can't really justify deferring my enrollment since I'd be saving money if I did the online program. Plus, I sort of want to get the whole graduate school thing overwith, since I already took a year off after college. Ugh, I know I'll need the work experience, though. Link to comment
Boughs Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 With the economy right now, i'd play it safe with taking the librarian job. Getting loans right now is a pain. If you ran into trouble while in school with $$ and couldn't get a loan to save yourself, you are stranded and have blown a lot of cash. I'd wait until the economy begins to upswing a bit then re-apply and go. On top of it, if the economy is doing well, it'll be easier to find a part time job while in school. Less stress while you learn. Link to comment
YabbaDabba Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 With the economy right now, i'd play it safe with taking the librarian job. Getting loans right now is a pain. If you ran into trouble while in school with $$ and couldn't get a loan to save yourself, you are stranded and have blown a lot of cash. I'd wait until the economy begins to upswing a bit then re-apply and go. On top of it, if the economy is doing well, it'll be easier to find a part time job while in school. Less stress while you learn. Yeah, the whole money thing bothers me, as well. I moved back to my hometown from a much larger city, so my cost of living went down considerably (I was renting a townhouse with friends and paying upwards of $600/month in rent for my room; where I am now, 1 and 2 bdr apts/houses go for the same amount). Unless I get an INSANE amount of financial aid, I'd be taking a bit of a financial risk by moving to Boston. I REALLY don't want to use financial aid for living expenses (seems like paying rent with a credit card). On the other hand, if I do the online program and get the job, I can work full-time and still "go to school." The only downside really is that I'd be stuck in this gosh darn town longer, when I was SO looking forward to moving. Nine months in podunkville is QUITE enough. Link to comment
pacman Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 The thing with schools is you never really know if you will like it until you get there. Just because some school is prestigious and known as a good school doesnt mean you will like it there or like the instructors. Some of my mates went to their dream schools and hated it because the instructors just couldnt teach. So do consider that you might not be missing out on much if you didnt attend your dream school. I would take the promotion unless you believe you'd be completely miserable staying in your current town. If you can handle staying there a bit longer until you finish online grad school, then maybe just take a vacation every so often to get away and relax. Link to comment
pacman Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Can you get a deferment to Boston for a year, giving you the chance to work the job and then maybe go to school when things look a little more positive? It's a bit of a risk but you have time to figure out what you want, and maybe save some money and gain on the job experience. hmmm I never thought of that. Thats a great idea, look into if your credits would be transferable from the online program (they might if its an accredited program). I know for me, it takes 10 classes for the degree and up to 4 of those can be transfered from somewhere else. Maybe you could stay there for a year and knockout some classes online, save up some money and go to boston to get the degree there in less time with the transfer of courses. Link to comment
pianoguy Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Boston is pretty cool, but I do need to mention that rent is here is quite high. What school are you considering? I guess I don't see any reason to stress yet because you haven't gotten this job at the library yet. Apply for it, see if you get it, then decide. Link to comment
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