...to leave my job and go back to study

[Cloudfox]

Context: I have a professional job, with a decent salary, which I am good at, but don't love. It's a job rather than a vocation.

I am a parent to one 3 year old, married, and financially stable.

After trying for a second child and pulling through a lot of trauma and loss in the process, we've decided to get off the emotional merry go round and stop trying. So - I'm considering a change in direction.

I have been accepted onto a MSc I have always wanted to do, and would love to pursue further academic research afterwards.

Is it crazy to give up a stable job in the current economic climate to pursue study, have my husband support me while I do it (though he professes to be happy to do this) and start an entirely new lifestyle?

Not unreasonable so long as it doesn't financially cripple you and your husband is on board!

I'm 32, DS is 9 months old and I plan to pursue my PhD in Sept 2022 when DS is 26 months old. But I absolutely couldn't do it without the support of my husband (he has been my rock completing my master)

Sounds great to me as long as you can afford it! Do you think the masters will lead you towards a job you really do want to do?

If you're financially okay doing it, and your husband is on board, go for it. Prioritise what will make you (as a family) happy.

@Winecheesesleep Not necessarily. Though it is related to my work (in that my experience is definitely valuable), it wouldn't add anything.

If I actually wanted to progress in my career, I'd be better off staying in work rather than leaving to study.

I'd like to pursue academia but I'm aware of how difficult that is - so I'm not really sure what would happen, career wise, on the other side.

I guess that's the gamble really.

I am not sure if academia is family-friendly or a viable long term career if it is a difficult route. You are pursuing a dream but you have financial and family responsibilities.

Can you get back into the same job after the MSc? For example, can you take a sabbatical instead of quitting. That way, you can re-assess your options at the end of the MSc rather than burn your bridges.

Is your husband prepared to be the sole or substantially higher earner for a long time? What is his career progression like and it is a stable job i a pandemic and wider economy. He might be fine for a short while during your MSc but not so fine with a growing family and wife to support. It is soul destroying to skimp and not have treats despite working very hard.

At the back of my mind is whether you are going down the route of a 'hobby job' but essentially end up being supported by your dh. If your earnings are needed, then you got to be the adult and take your family's needs into account as well.

I did it last year. I don’t have kids but I’m married with bills to pay so it was scary! Like you, my job wasn’t a vocation and after doing my BA and MSc while working full-time, I was offered a full scholarship for a PhD so I took the leap.

Things are going really well, I’m so glad I took the risk. I’m not a natural gambler so it’s most unlike me

You're right @blueshoes, and these are all definitely things to think about.

The dilemma is whether I am being selfish in pursuing a personal dream (my worry) or whether, following a lot of heartache, it's a good time for me to focus on something that'll make me happy (my husbands view).

My husband earns well, and his career is secure. Although we would definitely have to change our lifestyle somewhat, I am committed to making sure our responsibilities to each other and our daughter are met - though this would mean subsidising my husbands salary with savings, which I know has other implications.

I've thought about doing the MSc part time while working, but I worry that would impact on my ability to be an engaged parent.

I work for the NHS in a managerial role band 7 and love my job

But I'm missing something

I love working for the NHS but I want to be hands on

I've applied to do my nurse training which is a lot less money and I'll start on a band 5 but I want to do something rewarding and make a difference

I think it depends what subject the MSc is in and what the job earning potential is after? Would you be entering at a graduate salary and are there likelihood of job openings where you live? If you're used to a certain salary you might find your future salary options are much lower. Do your sums on affordability and if you can afford if then go for it