AIBU to not do an MSC ?

[houseuponthehill]

Need some urgent-ish advice.

Graduated two years ago in a subject that I love but at the same time, I’m finding it very difficult to get a job in the field. I’m currently working as a freelancer for a company but the pay is shit and I predict it will take me a few years to get a stable career in the field I graduated in.

Whilst studying for my degree, I became interested in a certain vocational subject. The job prospects are very good and I took it upon my self to get additional experience in this new field. Volunteering, studying short courses.

I’ve applied to do an MSC in the vocational subject I wish to study in. I also applied to do the BSC in this too. I’ve been invited to attend interviews from the Universities I applied to. This doesn’t really mean anything as the course is very competitive and they take a small intake of potiental students.

However, I’m thinking not to go for the MSC. The reason being 1; It’s very intensive (9-6pm everyday, including placements). 2; DS (8) needs help with his learning and I’m afraid the intensity of the course would hinder that. The BSC is much more do-able, the timetable is very flexible, early start, early finish. Wouldn’t need to worry about childcare and I’ll have time at home helping DS with school work and his learning.

The downside is, the BSC is three years (I’m 23 but will be 24 when I start the course. I don’t know if I can do another three years at Uni. Whilst the MSC is two years. Also, speaking to friends, the MSC is a higher qualification than the BSC so the MSC will be better. Also, my family are advising me not to waste anymore years in education and to try extra extra hard in getting a career in the degree I graduated in.

I have

I don’t know. What would you Mumsnetters advice ?

In my experience the BSc/MSc doesn't matter. I couldn't tell you who at work has done which course. Career progression becomes much more focused on on-the-job experience. Although this might be different if you wanted to go into research/lecturing as Holla mentioned.

You are welcome to PM me any questions etc although I may be slow to reply due to being on the phone app/having not used PM before!

I've just PM-ed you Bending.

I was in a similar situation just over a year ago. I had a few offers and had to choose between doing the MSc (1yr) or BSc (3yrs) version of the same course at uni. Both also involved doing placements. In the end I choose the one that fitted nicely around your family lifestyle at the time - that was the BSc. It worked out well and I'm glad I made that choice.

I needed flexibility which would have been impossible on the MSc course as its intense - 3yrs worth of material condensed into 1yr. I would have also had to relocate to another town as only the BSc was offered locally. I wasn't particularly in a hurry to qualify. I prefer to work at my pace developing the required knowledge and skill base to a high level.

The ball is in your hands OP, I hope you choose what best suits your circumstances. I remember a few people pointing me towards the MSc saying it would be better because of x, y and z. But they did not consider how it would impact my home situation.

Thank you Begrateful It's a hard one. DS has a few health issues and learning difficulties. With the Masters, I will find it difficult to attend appointments and also support DS with his learning. The BSC will be the ideal (If I get in !)

Just giving an update.

I didn’t get onto the BSC but I received an offer for the MSC. Which is shocking as the universities only select a small-ish portion is students. But I’m still not sure if I should accept it, I have three more weeks to decide. DS, has a learning disability and needs help with his learning. What’s the point of me “succeeding” (doing well in my own life) when my DS is struggling . Not only that, he is getting older and I fear missing out on his youth.

On the plus side, accessing this particular Universities, last year time table. The course seems very doable. For example, for the first two weeks, the course is very intensive.. 9-6. But after that, I have one day off and an additional free afternoon off. Which means I can pick up DS from school 2 days a week (I will still be able to drop DS off at school everyday as the Uni is very near to his school) and following on the course of the year, the timetable becomes much flexible, with lectures and group work, finishing earlier.

But I just don’t know. I’m currently interviewing after school nannies for DS, with the view of them taking him to his tutor classes. Though, I’m just so scared. If DS was fine academically, socially, emotionally, I would do the Masters in a heart beat but his struggling so much, what’s the point ? Am I just better off doing an ok-ish job, which is not paid very well but enough to live on, but still have time for DS and help with his learning (he has learning and social difficulties).

What would you Mumsnetters do ?

Do the MSc. In the long-term it will give you and your DS far greater opportunities than struggling along in a low-paid job will.

I think I’d accept it. And congratulations!!
You will still have those 2 school pick ups/week and the next year more flexibility. I think it’s a good attempt at meeting all of your requirements, remember it will benefit DS longer term. Good luck!

I'd accept the masters, presuming the hours aren't likely to change substantially. It might be worth confirming that with the uni, that the curriculum isn't changing massively this year. If you can pick him up from school most days and have weekends with him, I think that is a good balance. On your weekday off you can study and get house tasks out the way so you have free time at weekends for DS.

Thinking longer term, if you get a qualification for a good career you will have more flexibility when your DS is older. He will still need you in his secondary school years. If you do a job with little progression now you will have much less flexibility later.

You'd be extremely unlikely to get funding for a second BSc/BA, but would almost certainly get funding for an MSc/MA.

By "funding" I mean a student loan, obviously.

But what about meeting my DS’s learning needs.l ? I try and do 30 mins a day, after school, to help with his learning (apart from the time he has his tutor). How can ai manage that whilst doing a Masters ?

Does helping your ds with his learning need to be done daily could you do weekends and 1 day in the week

you may miss the 30 mins one to one with DS for the initial few weeks of settling in the course, maybe you will have to cut down to a max 15 mins session, but with the increase in flexibility of your timetable over the time, you can again get back to your earlier routine. Will it be possible to have an earlier start to the day and cram in 15 mins in the morning on those 3 days when you wont be able to pick up your son? What you will ultimately gain is a much higher chance of giving your DS an advantageous position in his future learning opportunities. Please go for it, I am sure one day you will feel very relieved, happy and proud that you took this decision. Good Luck with it. O by the way I did a p/t Masters at the age of 44 with my daughter at y10 and son at y3 and a husband working and staying in a different city most of the week. I wont lie that it wasnt hard but doable and I did complete it. I got a placement in a dream company even before I submitted my dissertation!

Thank you all and mumof2kiddos. I might aswell go for it.