Quit masters? Offered grad scheme

[seenna]

After many years of knockbacks, I've just been offered my DREAM job (from a tech giant). I am so unbelievably happy and grateful. At my lowest moments, I didn't want to be alive. The support from mumsnet has been incredible- thank you!

The grad scheme starts in September and I am currently doing a masters I don't really enjoy. Would it be short-sighted to drop out, get a retail job and save for an amazing trip in Aug and laser treatment for laser hair (pcos). The offer is not contingent upon completing the masters.

I will be getting a 3k welcome benefit so will be able to use this.

I am very torn!

laser hair=facial hair*

Surely the MA will be over in July/August? Not long to go.

Unless you're actively suffering I'd stick at it. What if your rivals for the preferred next step from the dream job all have MAs?

And you can still do the other stuff once the final term is done.

Congratulations, btw!

I would do it in a heartbeat. Lots of masters grads struggling to get a decent job never mind their dream job.

But I would stick the masters out to end of academic year as you may well get some credits. Any completed modules demostrate ability to study at masters level.

Can’t you complete the masters before starting the new job? Might make you more employable in the future when you want to move up.

Book the laser treatment though - it’s amazing.

QuaterMiss The MSc ends in September. I think a mental break would be really beneficial.

Out of my friends, I'm pretty much the only person who wasn't able to travel due to my mother's illness/financial problems. I haven't been on a plane in 5 years!

My family are against me dropping out..

I'd finish the Masters, or switch to doing it part time if you aren't due to complete it before the job starts. I know you said you hate it but could it be useful in the future? Your dream job may be your dream job now but life can take unexpected turns and it's always better to have a qualification than not to have one.

How likely is it in your sector that a masters would be needed for promotion
?

I get what you're saying that this is possibly the last opportunity to go travelling for a lengthy period of time.

You should finish the masters. It must have cost a lot so far. You can get a weekend job and still have a holiday - presumably you'll get a couple of weeks off at easter and in summer.

Well, I'm not deliberately siding with your family! But, from the vantage point of extreme middle age, I'm a great believer in the transformative effect of postgrad study cutting through troublesome life situations.

How long have you already spent on the MSc?

Finish the Masters. Grad schemes are tough. You'll be more likely to succeed if you haven't got out of the habit of working and should anything go wrong you'll have the Masters to fall back on.

I'm afraid I would finish the Masters because you never know when it will turn out to be useful. Save the £3k and take a great holiday next year/plan the laser treatment then.

Yes - that's another thing, the getting out of the habit of thinking. I really wouldn't risk it; imagine starting the new job and struggling ...

I do sympathise with wanting to celebrate, but you may be shooting yourself in the foot.

Job offers can be withdrawn - then what would you do?

Finish. Take a nice holiday. Don’t quit - if something bad happens to the dream job other employers will be unimpressed. You can get through it knowing the dream is coming!!

Might it be possible to get the credits and graduate with a diploma, that is usually masters modules without the dissertation which is the summer part? That way you could finish with something? Worth exploring with your institution?

My MA finished in a September but from early June onwards it was dissertation writing rather than any kind of taught element. So I crammed and travelled for 8 weeks. Totally worth it! Could you do similar?

If this is a dream job then take the graduate scheme

Grad schemes particularly with big companies are hugely beneficial to a persons career, more so than a Masters without a doubt.

I know lots of people that have taken masters and most of them can't get decent jobs. Quit your masters. Please don't listen to people saying to stick at it and decline the job offer, think long term, a grad scheme is undoubtedly more beneficial than a masters.

If you've already sat some exams/handed in some coursework you may be able to keep the credits and finish the masters off part time.

Please, please, please take the graduate scheme. I speak from experience.

Finish the masters

Sorry I mis-read the last part.

Do what you feels right, you have the grad scheme, do whatever makes you happiest until then. Your mental health is more important than a few masters credit

Just check with the grad scheme they don't require the masters as part of requirements.

Finish the Masters - what if you fail probation and find yourself back in the jobs market? What if they make redundancies 12 months after you start? What if you find it's not the dream job you thought and you want to leave soon after starting? I know I'm being very negative but these things can happen

glasshalffull It isn't either, or. Her MSc finishes in September - and then she starts the job.

You will be so grateful for that masters in the future. I got onto a great grad scheme but turned down the opportunity to do a masters and I really regret it years later. It would be such a help now decades into my career. You are very lucky to have both opportunities. Make the most of them.

Wow, you guys are incredibly persuasive! I had one foot out the door but you've raised some valid points. Especially considering my undergraduate is quite specific (think classics) and my masters is in management so will always be useful. Exam phobia may be clouding my judgement.

Finish the Masters. Better to do it than later regret not finishing! Well done on the grad scheme! X