Hello All! I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted last time. recovering from surgery has definitely slowed down my output for the moment.
However, I am glad to say it has not slowed down your questions!
This week, I got a question from a reader about that timeless dilemma: to get another degree or not. Here's the situation in her own words:
"Dear Ask Remabulous,
I am considering returning to school for a doctorate in my field, at the school where I currently teach.
It would be a two-year commitment, and I could still carry on my current work while in school. It would require one LONG weekend a month (Thursday through Sunday,
long hours!).
It would still be quite a financial commitment, even with my faculty discount. How can I determine if I have the stamina for this, and if the
benefit to me professionally would be worth all the hard work?
That is my dilemma.
Sincerely,
Should I Hit the Books Again?
image: austinevan
I am so glad you asked this question! So many people struggle with this situation. Let's take a look:
Dear Should I Hit the Books,
First of all, I want to say that I am completely sympathetic to your situation. I, personally, love being in school. I love learning and branching out into new ideas and levels of understanding in something I am passionate about. If all the bills would still be paid, I think I'd stay in school the rest of my life.
But there are realistic concerns to address, and I think you are already doing a great job of considering multiple angles on this issue, based on what you said in your question. Here are the things I would look at:
What is the advantage going to be for you professionally once you complete this degree? Is there an opportunity to make significantly more money with this new qualification? If that is the case, then I would not worry as much about it costing a lot to do the program. It then becomes an investment in your career rather than a large expense.
If however, it gives you this chance to work in a specialty or in a capacity that you are more passionate about without a significant change in income options afterward, I don't think that's a reason not to do it. I am all for people following their passion wherever it leads. If you feel this is the right path to take and you feel your intuition screaming and crying out that this is the path to take, committing to that will make you feel stronger.
In terms of the money piece, I would be as open as possible to creative ways to raise the money in order to go. Could you sell some special packages of your service in order to create more cashflow to put into education? Or is there a grant in your field? Many professionals don't consider this option because, having achieved success in their work, they thing they no longer qualify. I would do a bit of research on this and see about grants, scholarships, and opportunities that might take the sting out of tuition, whether you stand to earn more after the two year program is over or not.
Another simple step to take would be to open a savings account dedicated to tuition and start putting money into it now, so that you feel you are taking action on that front. Talking to your husband about what this will mean for your life together financially is also a good thing to do now- having the support of a partner in a plan like this is essential, and I often find that partners are even more sure and supportive about taking the step than my clients are themselves. It can be a great boost to get that assurance. On the flip side, if there are concerns your partner has, it's best to address them and get them out in the open early so you can find solutions together.
I also want to acknowledge and address the other piece in your question: the time and energy factor. It sounds like you are concered as well about following a more strenuous schedule over the next two years in order to complete your program. My questions I suggest you think about before deciding would be the following:
Do you feel stretched already in your work that you are currently doing? If it feels like you are carrying a heavy load already then this might be a big stressor to add in. If, however, you feel like there is room for something else and you are excited about taking on another challenge, adding work to your schedule can be energizing. I would spend some quiet time thinking about this issue.
How much relaxation and renewal do you need in your schedule? Will you still be able to have some of this time in the new schedule? School requires a lot of concentration and energy. If you have to be in go go go mode all the time to do it, it can be a challenge to feel you are getting the most out if it. Lay out your schedule on paper as you imagine it would be if you did do the program and see how it feels to think of following it. Trust your gut.
Do your finances require that you work full time or at the same pace you are working now while in school? Having the option of working less if you get into the program and realize you have taken too much on can be a good safety net to have available. This is another one to talk to your husband about. If you absolutely must work as much as you are now in order to make this process work, know that you won't have a lot of wiggle room if things get more stressful when you ahve exams and projects due and that that is part of your school reality this time around. If however, there is flexibility, it is often a relief to know that you can take time off if you need to.
And finally, how often does the program start? Do you feel you need to commit to do it this time? It might be that waiting a year, if that feels reasonable, would give you the chance to save for tuition and for regular expenses so that while you are in school you can take space and work less if you need to. This could be a solution that would take the pressure off when you do go back.
I think when it comes to study and making a big step for your career the essential thing is to weigh all the options and be responsible, but also to really listen to your heart and yor intuition. We often get pulled into things that don't seem to make logical sense, but in the end were exactly right for us. Trust that if this feels like one of those times, the world has a way of showing up to support you.
best of luck!
keep us posted on what you decide,
Caroline
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