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?