I don't think I should pay for this...AIBU?

[Wenjie]

DD is at a university in the United States getting a four year degree in Art & Design: Games and Playable Media. She just found out she almost has enough credits to get a two year degree in Business Administration. It would be around 800 USD, which converts to about 590 GBP. She doesn't think that's much, but I don't even know that employers would care about a two year degree. I know this might not be the right place to post something about schools in the states, but it's caused friction. Am I being too unaccommodating?

On the contrary- if you embark on a project that costs £55k then you should never do so without having some contingency funds available in case something unexpected comes up, particularly when you are talking about a young person studying in another country...

My point is that I'm flabbergasted one adult accepts £55k from another adult to fund four years of their life.

I'd pay this in a heartbeat. She sounds like a very ambitious woman, who has her head screwed on. Qualifications can never hurt.

My point is that I'm flabbergasted one adult accepts £55k from another adult to fund four years of their life... and then asks for another £600!

Yes, I'd pay if you can afford it.

Has she researched the job market for game producer? Looking on LinkedIn jobs there aren't very many jobs listed.

Surely its not JUST about how it looks on her cv but also what she learns in those two years and how that will help improve her in her career through the knowledge gained. Its a drop in the ocean to what you have already paid (which she is very very lucky for) I would pay it.

@MinestroneMini

Yes but she can’t be the only one on her course (or other courses) in that position?

I’m really sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. She will have 2 separate degrees, an Associate in Business from a Community College and a Bachelors from a University. Universities don’t offer Associate degrees (or none that I knew of did).

So she is doing 2 separate sets of coursework. However some of her credits from her community college Associate degree work may have applied towards her Bachelors degree (but not many).

I’m guessing the poster was saying that OP’s daughter won’t be the only one with that particular set of classes leading to that Assoc degree opportunity , so many are likely to do the same? Hence she won’t stand out in the field if a lot of her classmates have the assoc degree

I think it’s worth it for the qualification, £590 is incredibly low to get thise words on her cv.

That said, I self-funded my degree through loans and grants etc, my parents gave me nothing. I know degrees are much more expensive now, but if she wants to spend more money in her education and you don’t want to give it, can’t she just get a part time job? Eg online tutoring in computer stuff? Or she could borrow it? It doesn’t feel right thet at her age and with the amount yiu’ve already spent she’s just holding her hand out for more.

Yes you are being unaccommodating. Are you in a position to help? If you are.. why wouldn't you? I'd do that for my daughter in a heartbeat. What an incredible opportunity.

I'd be a bit concerned about the entitledness of the request, as it come across here. Has there been no suggestion that she could contribute in some way? Is she covering any of her own costs? Actually I don't know is she allowed to work while she's there?

Either way, I'd find a way for her to have the qualification, but I would expect her to be appreciative rather than demanding.

I am saying that lots of people will have the same opportunity to combine courses as she has. Can you explain why you see her situation as very unusual, to the extent that it will make her stand out in job applications?

My first comment was about having a Minor on a Bachelors degree as being something that was advantageous on job applications. But having a Minor in Business on a Bachelors degree is very different to having an Associates Degree in Business. I don’t know if an Associates degree will be advantageous to the DD or not but it couldn’t hurt was my point. I think amusedbush made a good point in that the AS would most likely be more esteemed in the USA than here in the UK or generally outside of the USA.

If she's already studying at degree level then there is very little point in adding on an AS Level - and little point doing an AS Level if you're not going to convert it to a full A Level. Presumably she already did A Levels before she went to uni.

You can do an AS Level online for less than that anyway, in pretty much any subject you want. It's not a good deal.

It's absolutely pointless unless she wants to switch and do Business instead of Art, or has a particular reason why she wants to learn more about Business.

[quote Wenjie]@spamiam It's an AS in Business Administration, which is much lower than an MBA.[/quote]
This was the basis for talking about AS in my previous post - but I'm now wondering if I'm mistaken and you didn't mean AS as in an AS Level. Apologies if so! I don't know about Associate Degrees.

I’d pay for it and do think it’s very cheap.

Its up to you whether or not you fund it but to me its sounds like the ideal addition to a creative degree. Unless you are a creative genius, the design and create side of ANY industry is pretty packed. Adding in something that demonstrates that you know how to marry creativity with real world business skills has to be a good thing?

I would pay it. It’s a small amount to pay for an additional degree.

Does she not have a part time job?

I would absolutely help, it's nothing compared to the rest of the funding you are providing. However, I would expect her to have a part-time job if it's permissible under her visa.

@MinestroneMini

I am saying that lots of people will have the same opportunity to combine courses as she has. Can you explain why you see her situation as very unusual, to the extent that it will make her stand out in job applications?

My first comment was about having a Minor on a Bachelors degree as being something that was advantageous on job applications. But having a Minor in Business on a Bachelors degree is very different to having an Associates Degree in Business. I don’t know if an Associates degree will be advantageous to the DD or not but it couldn’t hurt was my point. I think amusedbush made a good point in that the AS would most likely be more esteemed in the USA than here in the UK or generally outside of the USA.

But you still aren’t explaining why she’d be unusual in doing this?

I think when you look at the employability of her degree her future is going to be very much self driven. Any experience will be good experience.

A business course for £600 isn't going to harm her is it? If anything, it will make her more employable as she also has a business background and it will give her experience in marketing her field within a business setting. Will help her seem more professional and will understand the requirements should she become self employed in the future?

£600 is also eye-wateringly cheap! If you don't want to pay, lend her the money and make her pay it back/that can be her Christmas/Birthday presents for however long.

An investment in her future is never a bad investment.

But @HaveringWavering if it would be the usual thing to get the AS as well then surely that makes it even more sensible for the OP's daughter to do that as well? Otherwise she'd stand out for the wrong reasons, ie not having the AS on her cv when most others do

[quote Wenjie]@BakedTattie Her four year degree is already costing us £55,500 by the time it's done, so it feels like a lot to add £590 for something that might not be valued when she's searching for work.[/quote]
OUT OF POCKET?!

Jesus Christ I need to sit down!

In the grand scheme of things if £55,500 is affordable (manageable) then really £590 isn't a drop in the ocean. It works out at precisely 1.06% (I think I did the maths right? - it's a very slow morning of working from home if you can't tell) of what you're already paying whilst very possibly massively increases her employability if it's between her and another candidate of the same educational background.

The question is does she EXPECT you to pay and will she be GRATEFUL of the opportunity?

It seems such a small amount for a qualification. She sounds hardworking and switched on she’s realised she only needs a few more credits. It would always be there you have no idea how her work life will go she may end up in field where business administration qualification would assist.
Only you know your financial arrangement with her. If you’ve agreed to find education then I can see her assuming you’d cover it.
Is she working? Or assuming you’ll pick up all costs. If she’s sat around all Christmas holidays and dismissed a waitressing or shop work as beneath her I can understand your irritation as a weeks work would have covered it.

Personally I think you would be crazy to say no.

£500 is indeed a drop in the ocean vs the costs of a 4 year degree in America (where I studied and did a masters and law school so i know the pain). If you don’t want to pay it tell her you will lend it to her if you can afford it for repayment by X date but your agreement was to pay for the arts degree not the associates degree? I think it will look good on her CV, particularly if applying to US jobs.

Why can't she pay either now or pay you back.

Of course you should pay though to give her better chances.