Anyone leave a good job to *go back* to school?

[caltech26]

After perusing the most recent threads on the perils of being an unemployed new grad, I am curious as to how many of you decided to do things in reverse: Leave a career to go back to school.

My personal situation makes me wonder if I am a smidgen crazy for having left a high paying consulting job to return to school to do a Ph.D. I suppose I am an academic at heart, in fact, I had finished half a doctorate at York before entering the private sector. The daily 9-5 just wasn't for me though, and I figured while I am still relatively young, might as well finish what I started. I was fortunate enough to score a research fellowship (and teaching duties) which has alleviated me of financial stress, but truth be told, even if I was a dirt poor grad student, I think I prefer school to working.

I am not advocating this choice for anyone. In fact, there is probably a good chance I will be unable to find a professorship and be forced to go back to the working world that I hated so very much.

But to those of you that did go back to school , what were your reasons?

And for those of you that are looking for work, good luck and God bless!

[spike1128]

After perusing the most recent threads on the perils of being an unemployed new grad, I am curious as to how many of you decided to do things in reverse: Leave a career to go back to school.

My personal situation makes me wonder if I am a smidgen crazy for having left a high paying consulting job to return to school to do a Ph.D. I suppose I am an academic at heart, in fact, I had finished half a doctorate at York before entering the private sector. The daily 9-5 just wasn't for me though, and I figured while I am still relatively young, might as well finish what I started. I was fortunate enough to score a research fellowship (and teaching duties) which has alleviated me of financial stress, but truth be told, even if I was a dirt poor grad student, I think I prefer school to working.

I am not advocating this choice for anyone. In fact, there is probably a good chance I will be unable to find a professorship and be forced to go back to the working world that I hated so very much.

But to those of you that did go back to school , what were your reasons?

And for those of you that are looking for work, good luck and God bless!

I don't think a lot of people are cut out to be in academia. There are people who are not cut out to be working public/private. If you feel that way, you should be teaching in the university then you don't have to go out working for somebody. Most of us don't want to stay studying/teaching for medium income. Unless you can get to be a professor, then the pay might not sound too bad.

For those who thinking about going back to school is normal to upgrade. Would not go back full time. When I come back out, the business world would have left you behind. Ask you why you don't work and instead going to school full time. Hard to justify. Might as well do part time studies and study working.

[Marianne2007]

After perusing the most recent threads on the perils of being an unemployed new grad, I am curious as to how many of you decided to do things in reverse:Leave a career to go back to school.

!

Me :)

All my life I left "good jobs" to pursue my studies. I left a management position in a retail store to do my BBA. After my bachelor, I did my MBA while I was working full time as a general manager. After my MBA, I moved to Alberta and landed a job in Finance where they offered me to get into their "management program" to become a manager. I refused as I was pregnant and wanted to do my PhD after my kids to become a professor/researcher. After that, I tried to get into the PhD program at the University of Alberta but I failed. So last month I moved to Quebec (from where I come from) and get into their PhD program very easily so I am starting my PhD next september. I got 60k in financial aid, 2 courses to teach and a research assistant position. My dream comes true!!

I come from a highly educated family, many PhDs and MDs, so for me it's just natural to pursue my dreams. I left many jobs/careers for my studies because I was not happy in those jobs, as simple as that.

Good luck with your dreams :)

Regards,

Marianne

[dealseeker2011]

If going back to school will help me with my career then why not. I am willing to give up good things that will lead to better things. Good luck! :)

[Le Loon]

I didn't 100% leave to my job to go back to school, as I have an arrangement where I work the summers with my former employer. I'm working 7 days a week this summer, unlimited hours.

I am as un-academic as you can find somebody. Working class, through and through.

I was/am an engineering technologist/cad jockey and I am reasonably paid, but my job is dead end and leaves no room for career advancement.

Since my technology diploma from a polytechnic school did not translate into any transfer credits in any university, I ended up doing an entire undergrad degree from scratch, and I decided to study something I am interested in rather than engineering. I graduate from honors economics this spring with a 3.91 CGPA. I am studying a masters of economics and finance at the University of Alberta. I met my wife at U of A, I had a blast and I even had a daughter. I have no regrets.

[bomba]

I've got a good job right now and was contemplating leaving it to go back to school for my MBA full time. Then the realities of bills and mortgages hit me in that fleeting moment and I realized the only way I'm going to pay for a 70k MBA is to do it while working :lol:. So I'm doing my MBA next year in a program that lets me do both at the same time.

[MissMalfoy]

I left a job as an OW caseworker to go back to school. I had the job for a year and realized I would absolutely hate my life if I kept at it - 40 hours a week working with more people who are cold to the job than aren't, and being completely bound by very rigid rules was very emotionally draining. It was really hard for me to turn people down who clearly needed the help because of silly things. It was also more paperwork and being on a computer than actually talking to/seeing/dealing with clients, which was the whole reason I wanted the job in the first place.

So now... I'm getting my BA (I already have an SSW diploma from college) and planning on getting my BEd after and teaching in high school. I'm a people-person - I shouldn't be spending 90% of my time working behind a computer.

It was a really hard decision for me and a lot of my friends and family tried to talk me out of it, but as soon as I left, I knew it was the right choice. The more time goes by, the more I wonder how I could've ever taken the job in the first place.

[Coke355mL]

My personal situation makes me wonder if I am a smidgen crazy for having left a high paying consulting job to return to school to do a Ph.D. I suppose I am an academic at heart, in fact, I had finished half a doctorate at York before entering the private sector. The daily 9-5 just wasn't for me

Not sure if I agree with your situation. If you were truly in a consulting job, and making a "high salary", I would expect you to be making six figures. But your story seems more like you were perhaps in a low-mid level position at a consulting firm, earning a good but not high salary, and decided to go pursue your PhD. I suspect this is more the case because you reference "9-5" job and I don't know any consultant that just works 9-5. You also make reference to how new grads are finding it hard to find work which imo should concern you very little if you were in a high paying consulting job because you would possess skills that are in high demand. I don't think it's as big a sacrifice to leave a good paying job to do your PhD as it is for someone who is earning an actual "high paying" job, but I guess it's all subjective and all relative. If you think it's high paying then that's your view. But for me, imo I just think it's rather silly to leave a six figure salary to pursue a PhD but if you're an academia at heart, then do what you're passionate about. True academias are not in it for the money anyway. My point of all this? It's my opinion that I don't think you are "smidgen crazy" for leaving a good paying job to pursue what you are passionate about. For me, I choose six figure salary over education.

[renoldman]

When someone says they are an academic at heart, what does that really mean?

I sometimes think it means they couldn't hack it in the working world and they probably are not very sociable.

They couldn't succeed and therefore revert back to a place where results don't really matter.

[Bullseye]

A friend of mine was a VP Finance, he left that to go to teachers college and is now a primary school teacher. Paid of the mortgage first, of course. Living the dream!

[Syne]

When someone says they are an academic at heart, what does that really mean?

I sometimes think it means they couldn't hack it in the working world and they probably are not very sociable.

They couldn't succeed and therefore revert back to a place where results don't really matter.

This seems to be based on the notion that the working world is the "real world" and academia has no real-world impact. I suggest you actually take a hard look at Canadian universities, and look at their track record when it comes to research. You might be surprised at the contributions that universities bring to society, over and above simply educating people. Think of how many Nobel prize winners were working on behalf of academic institutions, and whether they would be able to realize these same contributions if it wasn't for the research opportunities offered. I think you'll find that the results do matter.

Sometimes not being able to 'hack it in the working world' simply has to do with how much the working world is a profit-oriented boys club. Sometimes the results brought about by private industry are profitable, but do not necessarily contribute a net benefit to society. Public institutions take that rather unsavory element out of the equation and allow science to be practiced in a much purer form.

[spike1128]

This seems to be based on the notion that the working world is the "real world" and academia has no real-world impact. I suggest you actually take a hard look at Canadian universities, and look at their track record when it comes to research. You might be surprised at the contributions that universities bring to society, over and above simply educating people. Think of how many Nobel prize winners were working on behalf of academic institutions, and whether they would be able to realize these same contributions if it wasn't for the research opportunities offered. I think you'll find that the results do matter.

Sometimes not being able to 'hack it in the working world' simply has to do with how much the working world is a profit-oriented boys club. Sometimes the results brought about by private industry are profitable, but do not necessarily contribute a net benefit to society. Public institutions take that rather unsavory element out of the equation and allow science to be practiced in a much purer form.

Sorry Syne, no mean to offend. I think you are quite bias on the your comment, because you are usually pro education/ pro academia.

In the university, you don't really have to deal with power hungry politics playing scums. Not as much as in the working world. After you work for a while, you realize no one is your friend. They are there to take from you, if they are not good enough to move up themselves. That's what Renold is trying to say, some people rather not deal with this (people can't hack it).

If many of us has a choice to do academia and having people pay most of my way to PHD, I would do it. Also, being in academia for life, you sometimes have to accept low pay. Low pay = can't do mortgage, can't buy car, can't raise kid without giving up something you want in life. It sounds a bit shallow, but once someone become a parent they give the best to their children (including financial support, no solely financial, but can't work without $).

When I was in Uni, I so respected my professors. Because they can design and build prototypes on their own, while even undergrads who graduated can't even do that. They can go from concept to prototype to product.

[Syne]

I'm not offended, spike. I don't think you've actually said anything that contradicts my point.

I think if anything, worrying about other people all the time just distracts from any contribution a person might make. Being able to avoid these unnecessary distractions is part of what makes academic research great. When succeeding in your field isn't about kissing the ***** of superiors or snowing your colleagues, it makes for a much more positive and drama-free work environment. Why that seems less 'real' to some people strikes me as odd.

If people can't 'hack' a work environment that is like you describe, then I applaud them. I see nothing praiseworthy or noble about being caught up all the distractions associated with jockeying for position all the time, when you could be immersed in unraveling the mysteries of the world.

If one were to look at this objectively, I think we can reasonably state that academia is the more civilized path.

[spike1128]

I'm not offended, spike. I don't think you've actually said anything that contradicts my point.

I think if anything, worrying about other people all the time just distracts from any contribution a person might make. Being able to avoid these unnecessary distractions is part of what makes academic research great. When succeeding in your field isn't about kissing the ***** of superiors or snowing your colleagues, it makes for a much more positive and drama-free work environment. Why that seems less 'real' to some people strikes me as odd.

If people can't 'hack' a work environment that is like you describe, then I applaud them. I see nothing praiseworthy or noble about being caught up all the distractions associated with jockeying for position all the time, when you could be immersed in unraveling the mysteries of the world.

If one were to look at this objectively, I think we can reasonably state that academia is the more civilized path.

Agreed on your bolded point. I know old friend who don't act very normal (sorta like a geek/nerd - stereotype on tv) type of person. A genius in computer/electrical engineering, doing his PHD.

[Syne]

You see this a lot in academia, I will readily admit - but in my experience what some people lack in social skills doesn't really subtract from their overall appeal. I can handle someone who doesn't tell funny jokes or interesting stories, if they also aren't gossiping about co-workers or talking themselves up all the time. Sometimes having the social skills needed to hack it in the workplace is a double-edged sword.

I'm a very forthcoming and honest person by nature and I've had that used against me in the past. Transparency and full disclosure are my main selling points. I'm not out to hurt anyone and I dislike unproductive negativity. I've always felt that if you have a gripe about something, you go directly to the source, and if you have a compliment, you state it factually and with sincerity. It's that easy. I've found that in the 'real' work world, people instead seem to trade criticism and praise like currency. I find people who do this to be slimy.

[nauru]

You see this a lot in academia, I will readily admit - but in my experience what some people lack in social skills doesn't really subtract from their overall appeal. I can handle someone who doesn't tell funny jokes or interesting stories, if they also aren't gossiping about co-workers or talking themselves up all the time. Sometimes having the social skills needed to hack it in the workplace is a double-edged sword.

I'm a very forthcoming and honest person by nature and I've had that used against me in the past. Transparency and full disclosure are my main selling points. I'm not out to hurt anyone and I dislike unproductive negativity. I've always felt that if you have a gripe about something, you go directly to the source, and if you have a compliment, you state it factually and with sincerity. It's that easy. I've found that in the 'real' work world, people instead seem to trade criticism and praise like currency. I find people who do this to be slimy.

+1000

[SkiFreak]

Right now I'm considering going back to school, maybe to SAIT. Even with all the stuff I got under my belt, the recession was no help whatsoever in getting my career started. I realized that if you are out of school for more than 2 years, companies tend to turn their back on you. It's a very frustrating situation.

[Le Loon]

Right now I'm considering going back to school, maybe to SAIT. Even with all the stuff I got under my belt, the recession was no help whatsoever in getting my career started. I realized that if you are out of school for more than 2 years, companies tend to turn their back on you. It's a very frustrating situation.

I went to SAIT, second rate.

[SkiFreak]

I went to SAIT, second rate.

May be sceond rate, but miles better than Okanagan College. I'm going to have to figure out what to do, but these are some of my options:
Get into an MBA program at UofC
Take a two-year program at SAIT (wouldn't mind taking some more tech stuff)
or finish my Human Resource Management Diploma at Bow Valley and go get my CHRP designation.

so... not sure what to do right now. May swing by SAIT tomorrow as I live right by the campus and get some more info.

[JK400]

SkiFreak just looking at your signature that's the most random ***** group of diplomas and credentials I've ever seen, especially since you have no relevant work experience to go with any of them. And now you want to head back to community college for some other random credential...if I were you I would just admit my lot in life is working odd jobs (busing at montanas during the day, doing mcdonalds drive thru at night kind of thing) for the rest of my life.

[Le Loon]

May be sceond rate, but miles better than Okanagan College. I'm going to have to figure out what to do, but these are some of my options:
Get into an MBA program at UofC
Take a two-year program at SAIT (wouldn't mind taking some more tech stuff)
or finish my Human Resource Management Diploma at Bow Valley and go get my CHRP designation.

so... not sure what to do right now. May swing by SAIT tomorrow as I live right by the campus and get some more info.

Isn't this thread about people giving up good jobs? What are you giving up?

[Syne]

SkiFreak just looking at your signature that's the most random ***** group of diplomas and credentials I've ever seen, especially since you have no relevant work experience to go with any of them. And now you want to head back to community college for some other random credential...if I were you I would just admit my lot in life is working odd jobs (busing at montanas during the day, doing mcdonalds drive thru at night kind of thing) for the rest of my life.

WTF is your problem man? There are millions of people out there who don't even bother to better themselves through education or work experience. Ski Freak is clearly doing both, yet you sit here on the forums all day taking shots at students who don't pick the programs that you approve of. Go get laid or play laser tag or something. Bring some joy into your life through some other means. You can't seriously be this cranky.

[JK400]

I sit on this forum all day giving out free and great advice to you kids, and the thanks I get is scorn and ridicule from them. Really, this is how you guys repay me for giving out valuable information, by trying to put me down and bash me? Instead of reacting like I've enlightened you people, you treat me like I just told you Santa doesn't really exist. Time to grow up and listen to your elders, you might actually end up doing something with your life (other than having the adult equivalent of your head being dunked into a toilet bowl like in high school).

[Knitecrow]

My works pays for all my schooling; I have to option to take whatever I want but after my CMA and taking business courses at University I am going to stop.

I find academia much more unpalatable than the real working world. If you are talented, can work hard, and make an argument for your worth-- you can carve out your own path and find a job/career that is both financially and intellectually rewarding. My biggest problem with academia is the narrow focus for many many years, the rigid BS rules and all sorts of hoops that you have to jump through. Academia is the fastest way to stifle your natural curiosity, creativity, and risk appetite.

[Syne]

My works pays for all my schooling; I have to option to take whatever I want but after my CMA and taking business courses at University I am going to stop.

I find academia much more unpalatable than the real working world. If you are talented, can work hard, and make an argument for your worth-- you can carve out your own path and find a job/career that is both financially and intellectually rewarding. My biggest problem with academia is the narrow focus for many many years, the rigid BS rules and all sorts of hoops that you have to jump through. Academia is the fastest way to stifle your natural curiosity, creativity, and risk appetite.

It's amazing how much one's mileage varies. I find the 'real' working world to lack any sort of meritocratic system. Talent, hard work and effective arguing are not subjected to any sort of standardized system. It's really just someone's opinion of you doing all of those things that matters. You may not in fact do any of them and be recognized, or you may do all of them and fail to be recognized. It's that lack of structure that makes the working world intolerable. It's all too subjective. In school, your grade is your grade, whether or not your prof. thinks you have a stupid looking face or not.

I'll take hoops that are clearly marked and available to everyone, over hoops that are shrouded in opacity and politics any day.

[nauru]

I'll take hoops that are clearly marked and available to everyone, over hoops that are shrouded in opacity and politics any day.
+1

[leoben]

i am thinking of leaving my decent job so i could start university all over again in a different discipline. i am a few years shy of reaching 30, and i fear my brain is already dying. i am in a bit of torment because the opportunity cost is high, i go back and forth i don't know what to do but i am leaning towards leaving at the moment.

[Zelig]

In the university, you don't really have to deal with power hungry politics playing scums.

You're greatly out of touch with academia if you believe this.

[spike1128]

You're greatly out of touch with academia if you believe this.

I am not suggesting there aren't any. I would say you can go along your own way as long as you don't look to go up the ladder or fight for research funding. I am suggesting if you are an academia that doesn't start up your own research group or want to be a dean etc etc.

Much less politics than in industries. In industries, you got a lot of losers who screw you to get ahead. They know they are losers, but want to play to get ahead.

[setell]

Me :)

All my life I left "good jobs" to pursue my studies. I left a management position in a retail store to do my BBA. After my bachelor, I did my MBA while I was working full time as a general manager. After my MBA, I moved to Alberta and landed a job in Finance where they offered me to get into their "management program" to become a manager. I refused as I was pregnant and wanted to do my PhD after my kids to become a professor/researcher. After that, I tried to get into the PhD program at the University of Alberta but I failed. So last month I moved to Quebec (from where I come from) and get into their PhD program very easily so I am starting my PhD next september. I got 60k in financial aid, 2 courses to teach and a research assistant position. My dream comes true!!

I come from a highly educated family, many PhDs and MDs, so for me it's just natural to pursue my dreams. I left many jobs/careers for my studies because I was not happy in those jobs, as simple as that.

Good luck with your dreams :)

Regards,

Marianne

Glad to hear things are going well. And congrats on the baby!

[Marianne2007]

Glad to hear things are going well. And congrats on the baby!

Thanks setell for your kind words! I hope that things are going well for you too!

Marianne

[Animated]

Thanks for making this thread. I am basically on the cusp of this decision. My job isn't extremely high paying but it is with a big company. My boss is impressed with me and has offered me a better job (which I would have to relocate for). I'm trying to decide if I should stay with the company that I love or pursue my dream.

As you can tell by my username my dream job would be working as an artist/animator in games or movies. I am trying to decide whether its worth it to completely do a 180 with my career (I have a background in design though I've only done management/consulting recently). I feel like I might be throwing away an opportunity to grow with a Fortune 500 company for something that isn't a sure thing. I have been getting very bored with my career and while a promotion might fix it for a while I feel like I'll just get bored of it again. So like the previous poster said, I'd like to do it while I'm young(ish). Also I know if I don't do it now I'll never take the risk after I get married. Maybe your opinions will help me decide :lol:

[tylaw83]

May be sceond rate, but miles better than Okanagan College. I'm going to have to figure out what to do, but these are some of my options:
Get into an MBA program at UofC
Take a two-year program at SAIT (wouldn't mind taking some more tech stuff)
or finish my Human Resource Management Diploma at Bow Valley and go get my CHRP designation.

so... not sure what to do right now. May swing by SAIT tomorrow as I live right by the campus and get some more info.

You're in Calgary and can't find a job? I suggest you LOOK HARDER instead of wasting your time padding your resume with more useless diplomas. Join your school's alumni group and head out to their events. Join YPE and network. Talk to recruiters and tell them you're willing to do a $40k job.

Also, HR is generally a horrible career choice. You're basically doing admin work I could train a monkey to do, which translates to low pay. The HR Manager (same level as me) makes about 1/2 what I make in total comp.

[spike1128]

You're in Calgary and can't find a job? I suggest you LOOK HARDER instead of wasting your time padding your resume with more useless diplomas. Join your school's alumni group and head out to their events. Join YPE and network. Talk to recruiters and tell them you're willing to do a $40k job.

Also, HR is generally a horrible career choice. You're basically doing admin work I could train a monkey to do, which translates to low pay. The HR Manager (same level as me) makes about 1/2 what I make in total comp.

After reading ski's post and your post. I don't know what ski is thinking.

He is in Calgary Alberta and say he can't find a job. If I was him I drop that sorry excuse of education and run to the oil fields, heard it's 80k a year to start. Alberta make us Ontario really jealous. If Ontario manage to dig up a large oil reserve, I am so there to dig it up and pipe it for the companies.