This is the third time I've started graduate school. Apparently, I really like the idea of getting my Masters degree, but not the commitment.
I started my MA in American Studies at the University of Kansas in 1993. I loved my first class, History of Education in America, but it was ridiculous to think that I could afford the time and money when I had a tiny baby to look after.
In 1999 I was accepted into a new program in KU's Journalism School, Integrated Marketing Communications. Again I was waylaid by my responsibilities to my children, as well as a serious lack of support from The Artist. (sorry, dude, but you know it's true)
So here I am again. The kids are old enough to feed themselves and provide themselves with clean laundry. They still need chauffeuring, but even that could change this summer, if The Star would get her drivers license. The Artist understands that I think I need this. But I'm about to finish my first quarter and I don't like it.
Do I
a) grit my teeth and push on through,
b) bail, or
c) look for a different program?
I'm considering going with Plan C: I met a woman in Pittsburgh who works for the convention & visitors bureau in Tacoma, Washington. She just started her MPA this fall as well--but couldn't stop raving about it. And where is this magical school, with the diverse students and the exploring and the thinking? None other than The Evergreen State College!
If accepted, this would involve driving to Olympia, about 1 1/2 hours each way, once a week for the next few years. The program is a cohort program, where you take two years of core courses with the same group of students. This was something I really liked in the marketing program at KU.
A maximum of 20 credits from PSU would transfer--so I can continue with classes next quarter, while I decide, and still get credit towards the eventual degree. Also, each credit is about $70 cheaper at Evergreen.
Regardless of whether I decide to transfer, I need to drop down to just one class per quarter. I cannot make enough sense of two classes. I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for it without the financial aid, but I'll just have to work it out.
Of course, all this presupposes that the Public Administration degree is what I should be pursuing. If I did not have to be responsible in any way, I might choose to take classes at Oregon College of Art and Craft.
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Cut, print, that's a wrap! Thanks for sticking with me through an entire month of questionable blogging. I'm pleased to have successfully completed National Blog Posting Month.
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My grad school advice: Change programs, if that's what you think you need. But I think no matter what you do, you should plow through and get your Master's. Otherwise, you'll always be wishing you would have completed it. I've found that I can get my foot into an interview with my Master's, whereas the same amount of experience on my resume wouldn't have caught an employer's attention before. I learned a TON in the process. Plus, I have improved confidence because I struggled through it and finished it. I also earn much more money now and I owe some of that to having a Master's degree. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteNeither of my master's degrees ever really resulted in more money for me, but I agree with Rikki that it was worth it - both times. I did Education first (with my brain tied behind my back) and American studies 2nd (brain in full gear and then some - wow), and both did good things for my sense of self and the way I see the world. Also, I feel that my choices are much broader with them than without them.
ReplyDeletehang in there! I think driving 1.5 hours for a program will result in an unfinished degree. It's hard enough to do while you work and have a family - I would not add that travel to it, but that's my 2 cents.
Also, one class does not a program make. Go talk to a few other professors about future classes before you decide...
Having hemmed and hawed about going back to school for many, many years I feel your pain. I am so glad to be 12 credit hours into my Masters degree. I feel so much more confidence in myself it's amazing. Also, I agree with Gypsy, all classes may not be exactly what you want. This isn't Grinnell after all, right? I agree with the commuting thing too. At first, it won't seem so bad, but after that it might be a barrier to seeing things through. Although, only you can make that choice.
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