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AIBU?

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Original poster

to quit my graduate program to take a leap of faith?

68 replies

MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 06:51

Cross-posting for traffic.

I need a career advice.

I am in a graduate program in an enterprise. I came from a different industry and retrained in IT. My career trajectory now is in the BA/data analysis space. While I like data analysis, I find BA a bit, well, boring. If I were to go into data analysis, my previous plan was to study masters in analytics part-time while working so I can do data analytics. However, I am also interested in software development. I know a bit of programming, but I know it is not enough to secure a job as a programmer so I might have to go to a bootcamp if I want to become a programmer.

However, I found out that there is an opportunity for me to move overseas using my previous qualification. But I need to resign from my job and go back to my previous industry in order to push through with this. This is not a 100% sure thing, but there is a good chance.

If this pushes through, I will be moving with my partner, whose career will more likely improve in the new country. His career where we are is going well, but he might be in the ceiling, unless he goes into management, which he is not interested in. Eventually, I may be able to shift back to IT if I still want to.

Pros:

My partner will be with me. His career will most likely get a boost as his skills are very transferable and he is very good in what he does.

There will be more doors open to me, as I can choose which qualification I want to pursue (after the first two years of paying my dues.)

Cons:

I will lose my salary. However, my partner's salary is more than enough for the two of us. So it really is probably not an issue, but I have gotten used to earning money again after a long time of not earning money.

I am not young. I am afraid that if it does not work out, i will not get another job in IT again.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
NannyOggsStripedSocks · 06/01/2020 06:57

For goodness sake, don't give up now. Stick it out then you can pick and choose careers rather than be reliant on your partner.

Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 07:02

I'm not giving up. I'm moving overseas.

OP posts:
Actionhasmagic · 06/01/2020 07:06

Go for what you are passionate about

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 06/01/2020 07:06

So you changed careers having not been earning in your own right, you're now part way through retraining and want to go back to the industry you didn't earn in for an unpaid training position and be reliant on your partner? It seems illogical

Oblomov20 · 06/01/2020 07:09

How much longer left on your graduate programme.
Please finish it. Then your'll have that always to fall back on. You would be foolish to not complete at this stage.

Also, if your not careful, you'll Starr to look unreliable, like you've got no 'stickability' and can't see a thing through, once the going gets tough.

Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 07:09

If we move overseas and pull it off, there's a good chance both our careers will improve. Especially mine, as there a lot more opportunities for my mix of background. But I need to pay my dues for the first two years.

If we stay, we are in a good place, both in our lives and in our careers.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 07:11

Six more months for the graduate program. It's a job in a company. After the graduate program, we are supposed to roll off to our permanent roles. The problem is, with my career trajectory now, I am not the keen on the possible roles that will be available to me once the graduate program is over.

OP posts:
Equanimitas · 06/01/2020 07:14

Why would you be unable to earn if you are going back to your previous industry?

BumblebeeBum · 06/01/2020 07:48

  1. complete the graduate program for the sake of a few months. It will mean some options are open for you and you don’t have an awkward part completed qualification on your CV forever more.

  2. do not go with your plan to move abroad with your partner and rely on his salary for a period of time unless you are married. Otherwise you are extremely financially vulnerable

CheddarGorgeous · 06/01/2020 07:54

Definitely stick it out for a few more months and complete your programme.

How old are you and how certain are you about your relationship to become financially dependent on your partner? Do you have any savings or other assets?

Didiusfalco · 06/01/2020 08:03

I would complete the program and then look at my options. Six months is nothing.

Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 08:10

No, when we move abroad, it's my qualification that will bring us overseas so I will be the one with the sure job. But his job is in high-demand, so it will not be a problem for him to get a job abroad.

Oh and sorry, I'm used to referring to him as my partner. We're married.

OP posts:
squee123 · 06/01/2020 08:15

definitely finish the graduate program. Then in six months' time if you're still keen move overseas

BumblebeeBum · 06/01/2020 08:42

What do you mean by ‘pay your dues for 2 years’?

BumblebeeBum · 06/01/2020 08:44

And why did you say you would ‘lose your salary’ if you moved abroad if you will be the one with the ‘sure job’?

TBH your posts are a little muddled. I don’t know if that’s just your posting style or a symptom of the confusion you are feeling at the moment. If the latter - I would take some time to think about it all clearly before rushing into any big decision.

Fizzypoo · 06/01/2020 08:45

Stick it out for 6 months. That's a guarantee qualification rather than a fingers crossed it all works out option.

If you wanted to go back to your previous career after and move abroad I'm sure there will be other opportunities but if you stick out another 6 months at least you will have a backup and more solid options.

Teaandcrisps · 06/01/2020 08:48

Sounds very high risk to me. Why the rush? Finish what you're doing then take stock.

Soontobe60 · 06/01/2020 08:53

There's a lot of ifs and buts in your plan. Here's my thoughts.
Do you need a visa to work in the country you're planning to go to?
Have you actually applied for jobs in that country yet?
What does your DH think about Moving abroad?
What does your DH think about having to support you again?
Do you have children?
How old are you? For some countries, you need to be under a certain age to be able to emigrate there.

Personally, I think you're mad to even consider quitting your GP with only 6 months to go.

stayingontherail · 06/01/2020 08:53

There is a massive call for data analytics in so if you finish your qualification and do your masters, you could cherry pick where you work and rake it in. I would do that rather than go backwards to your previous profession. Surely there will be other opportunities to move abroad in the future if that is what you want to do?

TheMouldNeverBotheredMeAnyway · 06/01/2020 08:58

You will need to give some more details about your previous industry to get meaningful advice.
What is it?
Why did you leave?
What do you mean by pay your dues - a low but livable salary, or having to live off savings?

Can you protect your position in IT so you have the option of returning? eg finish graduate training, a particular job or experience that means you will stay employable if plan B doesn't work?

I would take a temporary pay cut if better long term prospects if it's a question of having fewer comforts for a period. However I'd be wary if 'paying your dues' means a very lowly position/ internship, how are the longer term prospects?

Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 09:01

"And why did you say you would ‘lose your salary’ if you moved abroad if you will be the one with the ‘sure job’?"

I will lose my salary because I would need to go back to my previous industry (I won't earn money doing this - long story, but that's the gist) while waiting to leave.

Re: visa, job, yes, I will have these.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 09:05

"Pay my dues" - I will have to work for two years in the industry overseas, after which I will be free to pursue whichever qualification I would like to pursue. And there is definitely more opportunities overseas for me than where I am now.

Re: data analytics, I am not trained in data analytics now. But it's something I am considering in the future, overseas or if I am staying here.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyLadyDior · 06/01/2020 09:06

"a low but livable salary, or having to live off savings?" - ok, livable salary.

OP posts:
ohwheniknow · 06/01/2020 09:07

I think this sounds like a terrible idea. Finish the programme then reassess.

Namenic · 06/01/2020 09:18

I guess there are a lot of variables which affect this:

  1. age
  2. intentions for starting a family - how good is maternity policy here vs overseas, do you have any family to help out here or overseas?
  3. desire to travel/experience life in the other country.

I switched career in my 30s from health to it because of better stress levels and work life balance. I now have more time for family which I’m happy with and I love my new career.