Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave my masters?

36 replies

Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 12:51

I work in a manager role and I’ve been doing so for around 5 years. I have a degree and masters degree in a field unrelated to my job, and a professional qualification in my current job. I just changed jobs, and my previous company paid for me to do a masters level qualification, which is about what I do but I don’t really need. I’m in my mid forties and have a child, and I’m now wondering if I want to spend my little free time studying something that I don’t care much about, just because it costs a lot of money and it might or might not help me in the future. Just to clarify, leaving wouldn’t have any consequences as I’m not in the company that paid for it anymore. The exams I would have to pay for (like 1k) which I can afford but still a lot of money.
AIBU to leave an expensive masters because I can’t be bothered?

OP posts:
Zonder · 21/09/2024 12:53

You have a masters already. No point doing another that won't particularly help you but will reduce your quality of life right now.

KerryBlues · 21/09/2024 12:56

What does the masters add when you already have a professional qualification in your field?
Just wondering why your employers are so keen for you to do it.

ButtSurgery · 21/09/2024 12:56

How much more study and work is there to go? If you're completing in December with exams in January, I'd finish it. If you've a full academic year, thesis and two sets if exams to go I couldn't face it in either.

I'm under pressure at work to do the level 4 apprenticeship in my role. I have two my degree and a masters, but this is really more about role specific stuff than the level of study. The masters was a work funded degree and required for the role and it was so badly handled it nearly broke me.

I've refused the apprenticeship, because the idea of essays, presentations, project work and exams for the next two years makes me feel sick. Boss isn't happy, but I'm not fucking doing it.

Beth216 · 21/09/2024 12:59

It doesn't seem like it impacts anyone if you leave, hopefully you've learnt something from what you've done so far so why not leave if it's going to cost you and you're not interested in it. Spend the time with your child instead.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 21/09/2024 13:00

Life's too short, especially if you've got a small child. Priorities!

Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:01

ButtSurgery · 21/09/2024 12:56

How much more study and work is there to go? If you're completing in December with exams in January, I'd finish it. If you've a full academic year, thesis and two sets if exams to go I couldn't face it in either.

I'm under pressure at work to do the level 4 apprenticeship in my role. I have two my degree and a masters, but this is really more about role specific stuff than the level of study. The masters was a work funded degree and required for the role and it was so badly handled it nearly broke me.

I've refused the apprenticeship, because the idea of essays, presentations, project work and exams for the next two years makes me feel sick. Boss isn't happy, but I'm not fucking doing it.

It’s a full year from now, and I’d have to study at night probably 2 nights a week as a minimum. 3 essays. I don’t actually need it need it, I’m too used to pushing it as much as possible just in case the future changes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:02

KerryBlues · 21/09/2024 12:56

What does the masters add when you already have a professional qualification in your field?
Just wondering why your employers are so keen for you to do it.

My previous employers were keen as I was preparing for a promotion. Now I’m not there anymore, it would be more about padding my cv for a potential rainy day. My complexes I guess!

OP posts:
hildabaker · 21/09/2024 13:05

My feeling would be to press on and complete it, OP. You've already put a lot of work in, and I firmly believe that no education is ever wasted.

hildabaker · 21/09/2024 13:06

Oh actually maybe I got that wrong, have you actually started with it yet OP?

Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:07

hildabaker · 21/09/2024 13:06

Oh actually maybe I got that wrong, have you actually started with it yet OP?

I have started but only done a couple of weeks work

OP posts:
poppyzbrite4 · 21/09/2024 13:10

Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:07

I have started but only done a couple of weeks work

Show quote history

I would finish it as having two masters can't do any harm and it's been paid for. However if you are only a few weeks in and can't be bothered, then drop it.

BeetyAxe · 21/09/2024 13:13

I would stop and not look back. It’s too easy to think oh I might need it, or no education is wasted, when in reality it’s taking away from your life now, for no potential improvement in the quality of life in the long run. You have a masters already, forget it! You’re not here for a long time…

Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:23

BeetyAxe · 21/09/2024 13:13

I would stop and not look back. It’s too easy to think oh I might need it, or no education is wasted, when in reality it’s taking away from your life now, for no potential improvement in the quality of life in the long run. You have a masters already, forget it! You’re not here for a long time…

Tbh this is what is making me want to leave. I think after 40 you start thinking more about what you want to invest your time in.

OP posts:
DogDaysNeverEnd · 21/09/2024 13:38

If it's already paid for you could ask the university about alternative awards. You might be able to do a cut down version just focusing on any modules you are genuinely interested in/would be useful to you and exit with a post-graduate certificate for example.

But if it's totally useless and doesn't interest you then drop it, you probably won't do very well anyway if you're not motivated and so it won't even look good.

BeetyAxe · 21/09/2024 14:17

Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 13:23

Tbh this is what is making me want to leave. I think after 40 you start thinking more about what you want to invest your time in.

Show quote history

Absolutley. I just turned 40 and applied for a promotion for a job I knew I didn’t want, but it was “the next step”. I withdrew and do not regret it, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone, you’re clearly intelligent and hard working. If you have a job that gives a good quality of life then pause and think about what you actually want, not what you think you should do.

Magnastorm · 21/09/2024 14:21

hildabaker · 21/09/2024 13:05

My feeling would be to press on and complete it, OP. You've already put a lot of work in, and I firmly believe that no education is ever wasted.

I can absolutely say that my masters was a complete and utter waste of time and money.

hildabaker · 21/09/2024 14:55

I guess it depends on what one thinks learning is for.

Magnastorm · 21/09/2024 15:16

Well, in my case it meant I spent a year of my life hidden away in my study instead of spending time with my family and actually enjoying myself, to learn a bunch of stuff that I have largely completely forgotten and has been of no use to my career at all. And I paid I think about £8k for the privilege. In retrospect I 100% regret it.

Learning just for the sake of it, I think, is a waste of time. Learning because you enjoy it or learning because it's going to benefit your career is fine, when it's neither then absolutely bin it off.

Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 15:23

hildabaker · 21/09/2024 14:55

I guess it depends on what one thinks learning is for.

i wouldn’t say this is for learning. I’ve been studying my whole life and I love it, I’ll never stop. This is to have an extra bit in my cv in case I find myself jobless in my late forties. The thing is, I haven’t read a book I actually like for ages because I always have something professional going on. It sounds like I’ve decided but I just feel so guilty when I don’t push for more.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 15:26

Magnastorm · 21/09/2024 15:16

Well, in my case it meant I spent a year of my life hidden away in my study instead of spending time with my family and actually enjoying myself, to learn a bunch of stuff that I have largely completely forgotten and has been of no use to my career at all. And I paid I think about £8k for the privilege. In retrospect I 100% regret it.

Learning just for the sake of it, I think, is a waste of time. Learning because you enjoy it or learning because it's going to benefit your career is fine, when it's neither then absolutely bin it off.

Edited

I know what you mean, and sorry you feel you wasted your time. We should learn our time is valuable way before we do really

OP posts:
Igmum · 21/09/2024 15:59

It does help to have a Masters in a related area to your work, which II assume this is. Do you want promotion at some stage? Will this be an advantage?

Sounds like the majority is already paid for. I'd go for it.

Original poster
Nichebitch · 21/09/2024 16:30

Igmum · 21/09/2024 15:59

It does help to have a Masters in a related area to your work, which II assume this is. Do you want promotion at some stage? Will this be an advantage?

Sounds like the majority is already paid for. I'd go for it.

Thank you that’s a good point, I guess I need to decide if I want to be promoted again

OP posts:
CriticalThinker · 21/09/2024 20:59

I would finish it. But I love studying and have several degrees.

BakedBeansMum · 03/10/2024 17:01

What did you decide Nichebitch? I’m in a similar (although not exactly the same) position. Just started a Masters in Sept and already wondering if it’s the wrong thing. It just seems that I can’t imagine how I can devote the hours I need to to it. I’m currently a SAHM so my intention was to keep my hand in in my field of work, but it’s by no means essential as I’d worked at a senior level for 5 years before maternity. I’m 40 and have a child and wondering if it’s just too much pressure? Feel a bit pathetic saying that given I don’t work but I also only have 9 hours of childcare a fortnight.

BruFord · 03/10/2024 17:06

Given that it’s a year-long course, I’d finish it simply because it’s good insurance against a rainy day. Recent qualifications look good on your CV, especially when you’re over 40.

My SIL completed her Ph. D. at 55. We all wondered why she did it, but kudos to her, it’s given her more gravitas in her field and she’s having some amazing opportunities.

Once this is done though, give yourself a break.