Board 8 > So I'm considering getting my master's degree.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Basically, I'm thinking I'm reaching the point where it's now or never for getting one. I'm not happy with where my career is heading and I'd like to change it.

I have two degrees: AS in Computer Information Technology and a BS in Business Administration (finished in December 2013). Right now, I've been using my AS more than my BS. After I got involved in a job scam (which wanted me to fake my resume to apply to companies and then probably sent fake resumes in my name without my permission) and then I worked for a company that's a revolving door (they routinely fire people and give them settlements to not sue them for it), I had problems getting hired again since my resume became shaky and companies mostly didn't want to bother with me. I was also turned off by working for a business at the time, since I felt I was treated more fairly working for my university than I ever was working for a business.

I now work for a school district. It's nice because I can ask for summer off (unpaid, but still, what other job can you leave for 2 months and know you have a job afterwards?) but the job isn't using my BS degree at all. I work as a computer technician. I could have done this years ago with just my AS degree and technically the job doesn't even require that. I'm kind of tired of spending my days setting up computers, telling people to restart whatever it is they're having problems with, updating things, and other mostly mundane things people don't have time or energy to do so they hire me to do it. It's a stable job (I think) but it feels like a disappointment to me because I expected to have a better, more well-paying job at this point in my life. It is both a relief and source of depression - I'm relieved that I'm not unemployed and the job gets me enough money for me to enjoy things (though I'm still stuck at home), but I'm depressed because it's not where I wanted to be and I feel like I'm wasting my life away on this job.

So, I want to do something else. My mom thinks I should get a master's degree. I would like to, I needed to have the break I did from school, but I don't know what my options are now - I was originally planning to get my MBA. Is my main option getting an MBA? Should I even care for it? Can I get my master's in something else or would I basically need a second bachelor's if I would want to do that? Would it even be worth it? And if I do try to get one, what would I even need to do to start? Study for the GRE and/or GMAT and just apply? I feel so out of the loop on this stuff.

Any advice, Board 8?
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my advice is to stop putting so much of your self worth into your job.

its worth trying to improve your situation if you really think it would make you more happy, but your non-work life should be primarily where you derive your satisfaction.

Get the master's in whatever you're interested in. Really. Don't try to format it around your current career. Graduate school is hard, but it's a lot harder if the program is something that you're not mentally invested in. An advanced degree is likely to help you move along and make more money, but don't count on that. Get the degree because you want to learn and improve yourself.

As far as comparing it to a bachelor's degree, graduate credits mean a whole lot more than undergraduate credits. Passing any graduate course is an accomplishment that you can compare to professional experience in an interview.

And MBA programs generally accept people of all backgrounds, like law school. You just have to show through your grades and the tests that you're able to hang with the rest of the program.
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my advice would be to start from the end and work backward.

that is, think about what sort of lifestyle you want, then figure out the way to get there

getting a masters is expensive, and you're probably not going to be earning as much while you're in school (opportunity cost). there has to be a very specific, bright light at the end of the tunnel for the program to be worth it
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First, thanks everyone for your advice.

Unknown_voter posted...

my advice is to stop putting so much of your self worth into your job.

its worth trying to improve your situation if you really think it would make you more happy, but your non-work life should be primarily where you derive your satisfaction.

This is so complicated for me because I've found a direct correlation between success in work/school and self worth, which is a prerequisite for happiness for me. I wrote a lot about this, but I don't think anyone cares for my life story so I saved it and replaced it with this sentence. But as a summary: I used school/work as a thing to have success in and sacrificed everything else for many years to do my best with that, and I don't know how to escape that mentality. As much as I try, my education or work is the main thing that makes it or breaks it when it comes to happiness for me. And when I fail at working, it can have major psychological consequences for me.

Any advice for me to try to find more satisfaction in my non-work life? Keep in mind that for years I gave up on having much of a social life as well as relationships because I felt that they were going to distract me from my education more than anything. I just had to get high grades and waste my college years. Now, I feel like if I stop taking my work situation seriously, I will have truly wasted those years completely. My "career" of the past 3 years has been the primary source of depression for me, I'd say.

gearofages posted...

Get the master's in whatever you're interested in. Really. Don't try to format it around your current career. Graduate school is hard, but it's a lot harder if the program is something that you're not mentally invested in. An advanced degree is likely to help you move along and make more money, but don't count on that. Get the degree because you want to learn and improve yourself.

In general though, can you get a master's in something other than your bachelor's for certain things? Like I have a BS in business administration. Could I get a master's in information technology or computer science, even though I lack a BS-level education in those?

banananor posted...

my advice would be to start from the end and work backward.

that is, think about what sort of lifestyle you want, then figure out the way to get there

getting a masters is expensive, and you're probably not going to be earning as much while you're in school (opportunity cost). there has to be a very specific, bright light at the end of the tunnel for the program to be worth it

This is my main fear. Already, I'm not feeling like my BS degree is doing anything for me. The main reason why I want a master's is because a BS these days is basically like having a high school diploma years ago, so a master's might give me an edge in the job market. That's my theory, anyway.
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Augughhh I wrote a huge long post and it got erased.

Tl;dr

Automate, virtualize, and write out guides to make your job easier. If you're THE guy, use your position to delegate simple tasks (the trick is to convince the people doing it into feeling that you're rewarding them with responsibility).

Then, use the newfound time at your desk supervising to get happy. Start writing, play games, or maybe work towards this Master's Degree if that's what it'll take to improve your outlook.

If you're not THE guy, maybe work towards that?

You're in a good position, and are obviously motivated. I believe you can do it.
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Zachnorn posted...

gearofages posted...

Get the master's in whatever you're interested in. Really. Don't try to format it around your current career. Graduate school is hard, but it's a lot harder if the program is something that you're not mentally invested in. An advanced degree is likely to help you move along and make more money, but don't count on that. Get the degree because you want to learn and improve yourself.

In general though, can you get a master's in something other than your bachelor's for certain things? Like I have a BS in business administration. Could I get a master's in information technology or computer science, even though I lack a BS-level education in those?

Absolutely. People get advanced degrees in different fields all the time. You'll just have to show admissions committees that you're capable of doing the work, and, most of all, that you have a sincere desire to pursue graduate work in whichever field you choose. They don't automatically blackball you because you come from a different degree field. There are realistic limits, of course - I couldn't use my English B.A. to get admitted into a PhD in physics - but I think in your case you should be fine. And having work experience is a big, big help.
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Any advice for me to try to find more satisfaction in my non-work life? Keep in mind that for years I gave up on having much of a social life as well as relationships because I felt that they were going to distract me from my education more than anything. I just had to get high grades and waste my college years. Now, I feel like if I stop taking my work situation seriously, I will have truly wasted those years completely. My "career" of the past 3 years has been the primary source of depression for me, I'd say.

Honestly? Prioritize it. The past is gone, just look forward. Not much more you can do. I am not great at giving advice, but thats what I got.

ChaosTonyV4 posted...

Automate, virtualize, and write out guides to make your job easier. If you're THE guy, use your position to delegate simple tasks (the trick is to convince the people doing it into feeling that you're rewarding them with responsibility).

Then, use the newfound time at your desk supervising to get happy. Start writing, play games, or maybe work towards this Master's Degree if that's what it'll take to improve your outlook.

The difficult thing about that is that I have 15 schools I have assigned to me, and in 14 of them I'm their main tech guy. I also have reports I have to write because they don't want people slacking off. I actually know some people that got their schools to manage themselves, now they have those schools plus new random assignments...in my job, the reward for finishing work quickly is getting more work piled on you because people are expensive and everyone complains about the budget. It's the one thing I hate about working in the public sector.

Part of me wants to ask for me to be transferred to a school where I'd work there full-time so I could have time for other things.

gearofages posted...

Absolutely. People get advanced degrees in different fields all the time. You'll just have to show admissions committees that you're capable of doing the work, and, most of all, that you have a sincere desire to pursue graduate work in whichever field you choose. They don't automatically blackball you because you come from a different degree field. There are realistic limits, of course - I couldn't use my English B.A. to get admitted into a PhD in physics - but I think in your case you should be fine. And having work experience is a big, big help.

Thanks, I'll look into my options some more then!

Unknown_voter posted...

Honestly? Prioritize it. The past is gone, just look forward. Not much more you can do. I am not great at giving advice, but thats what I got.

I've been trying to do that to an extent. The business thinking side of me knows it's just dead weight and should be cut out of my future decisions. The emotional side of me sees all those years potentially having been a waste and it's just hard.
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what is it that you want to do specifically? do you know?

I would advise against getting a masters degree just for the sake of getting a masters degree.

what I would advise is figuring out what you want to do, and then getting the appropriate level of education or training to do that thing. if you have the appropriate level already then you can simply start doing that thing now, but it may require a bit of networking or some way to break into the field. without specifics on what you are aiming for it's equally hard to give specific advice.
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Zachnorn posted...

The main reason why I want a master's is because a BS these days is basically like having a high school diploma years ago, so a master's might give me an edge in the job market. That's my theory, anyway.

i'd like to hammer home again the point i made earlier- think about the *end* and work backwards. education is not the end. "an edge" is not an end. what type of job/work specifically do you want an edge in?

you're doing a good job of being open to suggestions. i'd also like to grant that, for some people, a lifestyle of perpetual education can work. it's a veeery, very select sub-group, though (willing to skip retirement, good enough at school to get free rides/stipends, or has/able to attract a spouse that earns money). if your mom is willing to fund you just taking a break from life for a couple years and you feel you need it, forget what i'm saying though

SO- if you could imagine some better jobs, what would they be?

i am worried you're focusing on step 3 of a 5 step process (step 3: get a master's) and building your plan around that instead of building your plan around your desired end result. there are a lot of great jobs out there that do not require a master's

it occurs to me that I'm saying the exact same thing as Maria, but I feel it's worth hearing it multiple times : )
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Zachnorn posted...

It's a stable job (I think) but it feels like a disappointment to me because I expected to have a better, more well-paying job at this point in my life. It is both a relief and source of depression - I'm relieved that I'm not unemployed and the job gets me enough money for me to enjoy things (though I'm still stuck at home), but I'm depressed because it's not where I wanted to be and I feel like I'm wasting my life away on this job.

This mentality is your biggest problem imo. It's fine to seek happiness through your job - I mean, you're there for 8 hours a day, might as well get something out of it - but ideally that happiness should come from enjoying your work and being satisfied at a job well done, rather than some outside notion of "success."

Like, myself as an example: Most of my peers are probably making six figures easy. I picked a lower-paying, low-stress job that I enjoy, and I don't regret it one bit. I like what I do. I have enough money for my hobbies. This is where I want to be, even if my peers are richer, more successful, etc. I feel like you'd be a lot happier if you had this kind of mentality (though, easier said than done, I know).

Having said all that, it sounds like you don't even like your job all that much. So it may well be time for a change. In which case my advice would be what Maria said.
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Sorry, I had a few busy days and can't really respond to the responses yet, but I don't want this to purge. I'll respond after a good night of sleep and after finishing work tomorrow. But someone gave me an idea of getting a MPA instead of an MBA, which is an interesting idea since I like the idea of getting an MBA but I'm not so sure I want to work in business. So, something to investigate.
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Tag, I'm thinking of a Masters as well.
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I have my MBA but I'm an idiot and used it for HR. With real experience in whatever field you're working in it can jump you a few rings on the ladder. That said it's not exactly an auto-win like you hope, but it's certainly valuable.

I've never seen the purpose for an MPA unless you have a specific job that wants it. An MBA will still teach you a lot of the public sector and non-profit sector (at least mine did) and all the principles are still applicable to public sector work anyway. An MBA is a square, and an MPA is a rectangle.
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MariaTaylor posted...

what is it that you want to do specifically? do you know?

That's the issue. I'm not sure what I want to do.

I've had moderate to high amounts of success in some things I've done, but they all went crashing down in some way or another. Sometimes catastrophically. I've wanted to create software, and even made it to the national finals of a competition Microsoft does, but the financial aid department threatened to cut me off because computer science requires too many units to complete and I couldn't afford to get cut off. I wanted to design software, but the job market for that was ridiculous. I wanted to implement technology, but I got let go of a job where I was doing that, and I think it's because of appearance (they were telling me to try to look like Justin Timberlake and do crossfit a week or two before I got let go). I try to find jobs related to those things now and I can't, even though in many cases I meet the requirements.

This is why I have settled for this job where I mostly do basic tech support and computer updates. I really want to know what I can do to get out of this and into a more serious and better-paying job, but I have no idea what I can do.

MariaTaylor posted...

what I would advise is figuring out what you want to do, and then getting the appropriate level of education or training to do that thing.

What's a good way to figure out what I want to do? The only way I knew how was by seeing how interested I would get in something, but that hasn't really happened with anything in a long time.

banananor posted...

you're doing a good job of being open to suggestions. i'd also like to grant that, for some people, a lifestyle of perpetual education can work. it's a veeery, very select sub-group, though (willing to skip retirement, good enough at school to get free rides/stipends, or has/able to attract a spouse that earns money). if your mom is willing to fund you just taking a break from life for a couple years and you feel you need it, forget what i'm saying though

My mom is actually the one encouraging me to get my master's and even expressed disappointment that I haven't tried yet. She has told me that she would be willing to support me, but she only has so much time left where she can work to do that.

banananor posted...

SO- if you could imagine some better jobs, what would they be?

Probably the ones I mentioned above. I already know I want to work in technology if possible, but obviously that is very competitive and hard to get into, plus the hours can be ridiculous. I've also been interested in things like operations management, procurement/asset management, and general management, but as more of a "it's a job I could do and maybe kinda like" type of thing than something I'd love to do.

banananor posted...

i am worried you're focusing on step 3 of a 5 step process (step 3: get a master's) and building your plan around that instead of building your plan around your desired end result. there are a lot of great jobs out there that do not require a master's

True. I guess the problem is that I've been so confused about things lately that I don't know what I want to do, but I also don't want to waste any more time on indecision.
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Gatarix posted...

This mentality is your biggest problem imo. It's fine to seek happiness through your job - I mean, you're there for 8 hours a day, might as well get something out of it - but ideally that happiness should come from enjoying your work and being satisfied at a job well done, rather than some outside notion of "success."

I think it goes to what you said at the end of your post, that I don't really enjoy my job that much. This is true, because my job often feels like I'm so busy doing a bunch of simple things rather than interesting things, and I can't do the interesting things because teachers keep asking me to update Flash at every school I visit - simple, but it stops me from doing more with my job. It's a consistent problem with my coworkers as well. So it's hard for me to feel like I'm enjoying my work or feeling like I did a job well done when I'm constantly inundated with work. Though of course, there are times that are worth it, like when I make a teacher or students happy by fixing issues they were having.

Gatarix posted...

Like, myself as an example: Most of my peers are probably making six figures easy. I picked a lower-paying, low-stress job that I enjoy, and I don't regret it one bit. I like what I do. I have enough money for my hobbies. This is where I want to be, even if my peers are richer, more successful, etc. I feel like you'd be a lot happier if you had this kind of mentality (though, easier said than done, I know).

I told a friend of mine recently that I'd rather make 100k and work 30 hours per week than make 150k and work 40 hours per week. All I really want from work now is something that I enjoy, pays me enough to live comfortably with money I can spend on things I enjoy, and gives me enough time to enjoy life. I didn't realize the value of such things until recently. I'd never want to work all the time. I've done it and I've hated it, even if the job is otherwise good.

ViviffTheMobile posted...

I've never seen the purpose for an MPA unless you have a specific job that wants it. An MBA will still teach you a lot of the public sector and non-profit sector (at least mine did) and all the principles are still applicable to public sector work anyway. An MBA is a square, and an MPA is a rectangle.

That makes sense - things like managing people or doing HR aren't that different in public compared to private jobs, though obviously the goals of the organization would be different. I'll need to look into the main differences between getting an MBA vs. MPA, especially if MBAs can meet requirements of jobs that an MPA can be useful in, but not vice-versa.
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tag for interest
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Zachnorn posted...

I wanted to implement technology, but I got let go of a job where I was doing that, and I think it's because of appearance (they were telling me to try to look like Justin Timberlake and do crossfit a week or two before I got let go). I try to find jobs related to those things now and I can't, even though in many cases I meet the requirements.

what the
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Zachnorn posted...

What's a good way to figure out what I want to do? The only way I knew how was by seeing how interested I would get in something, but that hasn't really happened with anything in a long time.

based on your reply to my first question to sounds like you already know what you want to do! it sounds like you are interested in designing software (I have a rough idea of what this is) or implementing technology (I'll be honest this sounds like a phrase that could mean like one of ten things so I won't try to guess what it means!), but you were boxed out of those fields. that does make things a bit difficult. I will say I honestly don't have much great advice on what to do if you already failed to break into a field that you wanted to get into.

it's weird that a tech based job would care so much about your appearance to the point where they would talk to you about it though unless you were like gross or something. anyway um... going back to school could help. I think a major benefit of school that some people overlook is the ability to network. doing grad school could be nice but you'll want to make sure to "shop around" first. find a school that has strong ties to local tech companies around where they are, perhaps with industry classes or something along those lines. well, we have these in the sciences so I assume you have it in technology too. but maybe not. additionally you're going to want to form a relationship with some of the faculty/staff members on campus and know that you will be able to work with them in order to complete your master's degree.

rather than asking me for advice though I'd recommend seeking out some more information. it's difficult for me to give you anything beyond generalities. here are some things that could work in seeking places to get your master's and deciding which of those places would be best for you;
1. just go to the website of any university that you could feasibly go to. check the website for information on which graduate degrees they offer.
2. you'll want to look at a few different options and see the details of what each degree is "all about." some of them are going to sound similar but they'll have different unique specializations. generally there is a site with some information and also most importantly
3. from here you'll get contact information for a person in that department who specifically talks to people like you

you're probably going to want to set aside at least a few hours to do this and be prepared to do a lot of reading, and either send out many e-mails or make a lot of calls. once you have narrowed down your choices I don't think it's too unusual to try and arrange to visit a campus. try to meet some people in the department in person and see if you have good chemistry with them. seriously, you'll likely be working with at least one staff or faculty member for a year or longer. can you imagine how disastrous it would be if this person ends up being someone you dislike? when trying to decide the course of your life there's no such thing as too much preparation and intelligence gathering.

lastly, don't forget to talk to someone about things like where you will live, how you will pay for your tuition, etc. financial aide can help and grad students are also (pretty frequently) offered something like a stipend and/or jobs within the department to help supplement their cost of living. sometimes you have to ask about it first in order to find out about such opportunities.

one final note: keep an open mind to all options. you're doing this to get a job, right? if you start learning about different grad programs and aren't enticed by the idea of doing a bunch of research or writing a thesis you might stumble into some kind of career opportunity from the people you meet. it's all about networking.
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MariaTaylor posted...

based on your reply to my first question to sounds like you already know what you want to do!

I guess that's true! I've had an idea for a very long time, but always just had trouble getting it to work out.

MariaTaylor posted...

I think a major benefit of school that some people overlook is the ability to network. doing grad school could be nice but you'll want to make sure to "shop around" first. find a school that has strong ties to local tech companies around where they are, perhaps with industry classes or something along those lines. well, we have these in the sciences so I assume you have it in technology too. but maybe not. additionally you're going to want to form a relationship with some of the faculty/staff members on campus and know that you will be able to work with them in order to complete your master's degree.

This was something that was emphasized when I was getting my BS degree, and although I networked, I don't think I did it enough or really realized how important it was. Part of why I am considering going further in my education is to get more networking opportunities.

MariaTaylor posted...

rather than asking me for advice though I'd recommend seeking out some more information. it's difficult for me to give you anything beyond generalities. here are some things that could work in seeking places to get your master's and deciding which of those places would be best for you;
1. just go to the website of any university that you could feasibly go to. check the website for information on which graduate degrees they offer.
2. you'll want to look at a few different options and see the details of what each degree is "all about." some of them are going to sound similar but they'll have different unique specializations. generally there is a site with some information and also most importantly
3. from here you'll get contact information for a person in that department who specifically talks to people like you

I'll definitely go and do that! Thanks!

MariaTaylor posted...

lastly, don't forget to talk to someone about things like where you will live, how you will pay for your tuition, etc. financial aide can help and grad students are also (pretty frequently) offered something like a stipend and/or jobs within the department to help supplement their cost of living. sometimes you have to ask about it first in order to find out about such opportunities.

Good to know, since cost is a major concern of mine as well!

MariaTaylor posted...

one final note: keep an open mind to all options. you're doing this to get a job, right? if you start learning about different grad programs and aren't enticed by the idea of doing a bunch of research or writing a thesis you might stumble into some kind of career opportunity from the people you meet. it's all about networking.

That's true too and would be ideal. Going to college is expensive both in terms of the actual cost of tuition, books, etc., but also expensive in that I'd have to either reduce my job to part-time or quit. So if I were to find a good job from this, even without getting a master's, I'd be fine with that!
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