Two MSc Offers. Different (but broadly related) fields - head vs heart, but with caveats.

[TwoOffers]

I'm 43. I graduated with a First last year and decided to apply for taught MSc this year. I have offers for both. I'm having trouble deciding which way to go. They cost the same when all said and done.

Option 1 - directly related to my STEM undergrad and is the heart choice.
Pro - World Top 10 university for the subject, I love the subject, it's part-time (to give me breathing space to have a life and make sure that I've got enough time for the work).
Con - Twice as far to travel as Option 2, Non vocational / Career path less clear (though being world renowned for the subject means that postgrad career network is pretty good - though my age will go against me here), it is largely aimed at those going onto PhD study (I don't think this is me), I have massive imposter syndrome and worry that they've let me onto this amazing course by accident and I'd be the thickest one on the course.

Option 2 - the head choice. A vocational healthcare MSc
Pro - Halves my commute time and I'm familiar with the university, clear career pathway, can work in the public, private, charity sectors or be self-employed, uses many transferrable skills from my previous career and BSc, I like the job (but not love)
Con - NHS recruitment is in the toilet, Band 5 NQ posts are like hen's teeth and universities are churning out graduates at a rate of knots. Other sectors cannot soak up the excess, and there is a lot of unemployment. I don't know how that's going to pan out in the next 2 years. It feels foolish to go into training for a career knowing that it has no jobs at present. Obviously, I know this cycle will end at some point, but when and how many years of graduates will be queuing to apply when this happens?

Any advice or thoughts?

How will you fund them and what is the job in the second choice? How long will each option take?

But Option 2 isn’t a ‘Head Choice’ if there are no jobs, surely?

Assuming that everything you’ve left out of your OP - funding, family, support, has no impact on your decision - I (entirely ruled by instinct) would go for Option 1. It’s more exciting, appears to have wider reach - so perhaps opportunities overseas? Having achieved a First in your previous degree you’re obviously up to it and it might be a shame not to push yourself as far as you can go. Who knows what might transpire during the course?

One, and network actively to get people recruiting to look past your age. Your points about stagnant NHS recruitment would put me off two.

Why can’t you do Option 1 full time?

I looked into an MSc that would theoretically lead to an NHS job, but ruled it out in the end because of the worry about not getting a band 5 job at the end of it. I think this is a very real worry, regardless of the need for services, NHS Trusts are going to be in a very tight financial spot for the foreseeable future. I would do the first one.

@fatgirlswims - tuition funded via postgrad student loan. The vocational job in option 2 is an established registered healthcare profession. It isn't PA, that really would be foolish (!). Both take 2 years.

@OffToSeaInABlizzard - You aren't wrong re the 'head choice' thing. However, these recruitment cycles are temporary. It is likely the landscape will look different in two years, when I'd be looking for work. Though it would be naive to expect that the NHS is going to have some magic wand waved over it any time soon. The other factors are not an issue, my family are supportive of either choice. My offer for #1 is for the p/t presentation, I deliberately chose that because of the commuting distance. It isn't so far as to rule it out completely but only having to make the journey a 1-2 days a week is infinitely preferable to 3-4 days. Plus, it gives me more time for other commitments. It's definitely the more exciting choice and is much more 'me' in terms of my academic history. It does feel like a much bigger risk though, because it's the dream. You see, if I did #2 and it didn't work out, I could just shrug and say, "Oh well, I wasn't that into it anyway". If I did #1 and it didn't pan out, I'd be devastated. But you can't live your life like that can you? If you never try, you never know. Gahhhhh. Someone shoot me.

@DoctorDoctor - Option 1's institution is fantastic for that aspect and so if I stand a chance anywhere, it's there.

@Itisnotdownonanymap - Yes, it's such a worry. Not so long ago a healthcare career was a solid, sensible choice. A 'job for life', if you will, those days feel far away. 😕

So you're all #1 advocates. TBH, I'm finding it hard to see why I wouldn't be too. I'm my own worst enemy a lot of the time. I get in my own way and my lack of self-belief stops me from taking advantage of things. Perhaps this is a path I should take and one I will always regret if I don't at least try?

(edited - got confused between my options!)

You are in the fortunate position of being able to choose.

If, in two years time your life, or the world, has changed - which would you be sorriest to have missed out on, maybe forever?

@OffToSeaInABlizzard - I really do appreciate that this is a 'my diamond shoes are too tight' scenario. #1 is the answer to that question. I never thought I'd get an offer, tbh. Then the offer landed, and I thought I'd be content just knowing that I could've done it if I'd wanted to. Instead, the offer has been nagging at my brain and I don't think I can, or should pass up the opportunity.
I applied for #2 as my 'safe and sensible' insurance. Trouble is, it's not that safe (or sensible, in the current climate). Tens of thousands of newly graduated HCPs of all stripes are unemployed. It's a scandal.

Oh, no - I didn’t mean it quite like that! It’s just that, up til about … sixty one and a half, say - we think that we have forever to do anything. And then suddenly we realise that Miles Davis, or Prince, might not wait around for us to deign to attend their surprise concert in our city. That chance won’t come again …

I definitely don't think I have forever. I just don't fully believe Miles and Prince really want to play for me. It's a 'me' problem and leads to a life half lived, a lot of the time. It's the opposite to what I advise others to do btw. I just find it v hard to take my own advice.

I would do option 1 given all this. 2 years part time is doable and better than 2 years full time surely?
and the uncertainty of NHS jobs or makes more sense. You can pursue other work alongside and developed a portfolio and explore other career options as you study and work.

From how you talk about it definitively option 1. You’ve just got a bit of imposter syndrome. Assuming it has at least some potential careers outside academia go for it…. But use the part time nature to work hard at volunteering or interning or placements focussed on future employability. When I did my MSc many moons ago I worked two casual related pt jobs plus waitressing and they really helped my graduate job search.

I think to me it depends on what the NHS job is. The current very tight nature of the NHS is temporary and will improve in the next couple of years (it’s always cyclical) but some jobs are always rarer.

Thanks @fatgirlswims. I'm going to give myself the weekend to mull it over but I'm 99% in camp #1 having chatted it over with you lot. I'll go and talk it over with my RL people too. Whatever happens with #1, it's crystalised that my heart isn't in #2 and with the lack of job security, which was the big selling point, there is little left to recommend it. Proximity alone, isn't enough. So it's likely #1 or none. 'None' would be the cowardly 'too scared to make the leap' decision. The decision deadline isn't for weeks yet, so I can hang on a day or so.

It's not a rare role.

If option 2 is patient facing I really don’t think you should do it. You applied for the wrong reasons. So no 1 or nothing.

Option 1. You’re never too old to follow your dreams. And your enthusiasm for option 1 jumps off the page. Remember the old adage about looking back and regretting the things you didn’t do (rather than the things you did). Don’t make that mistake.

Opt 1

@museumum , there are roles outside of academia.

@dammit88, that's fair. I didn't apply out of passion for the job. It was a practical choice.

I was in a similar position and went for your option 1. I've now got a job I love in a really niche field. Can't see myself moving but if I did I have connections everywhere in my small pond.
Sometimes it's less of a gamble doing really well at something you love than getting a good result in a sea of others.
Just my personal perspective, but I really think you'll be happier and do better with option 1. Good luck, I hope it works out as well for you as it did for me

Option number 1 sounds way more appealing and exciting! Option 2 sounds more like a good back-up in case you didn’t get your dream offer, i.e. option1!

Also, get over this imposter nonsense. You have two offers and are clearly brilliant!

I'd do one but I'm always doing stuff that really is beyond my abilities. It works out great usually as I bring a different perspective to the courses.

Thanks again for all your thoughts everyone . I just wanted to pop back onto this thread and update it. I've decided to take the plunge and do #1, despite my reservations. Sometimes you have to push beyond your comfort zone, right?

@Zanthe, I'm very much not brilliant but I love the subject area and I'm looking forward to getting started.

For what it's worth I think you have made the right choice. I was just coming to say from the way you wrote the post I think the decision be had already been made! You'll be great.