Not sure if I should go

LegacyUser

I finished college 3 years ago, unable to go on to a masters as I was pregnant a few months later. My work have now offered me a year break as they are trying to cut back expenses. I am dying for this opportunity, I always was very academic and only due to my mother cutting ties with me because of my baby I couldn't go back to college. My husband is very supportive, he works at home and looks after our toddler 4 out of 5 days anyway, and we'll not be hit too badly money wise if I go and live frugaly as we've been always been careful with our savings and don't have any childcare costs etc. It's in the UK though, nowhere in Ireland does it.

My problem is, I'm not sure I should go. I don't have much of a future in my job anyway, and I'd love to get back into academia, but in terms of jobs no one seems to be getting jobs in my field even with doctorates, and it will be a year with limited contact with my boy and husband. I'm just scared I'll never get a chance like this again, we want to have more children soon, and develop my husband's business.

Have any of you made a decision like this? Is education for educations sake a good enough reason? Did ye miss the people back home too much?

AngryBadger

Hmmm that's a tough one OP.

On the one hand I think you've been handed a fantastic opportunity to enhance your qualifications, an opportunity that IMO is not to be missed, and an opportunity that will only be more difficult to capitalise on as time moves forward and you get bogged down with more responsibilities (more kids? etc.).

On the other hand, this will not be an easy move, especially given that you'll be in the UK.

Honestly though, it's just a hop and a skip across the pond, and I firmly believe you'd be mad to pass up this opportunity, particularly given that you feel there's not much of a future in your current employment.

I'd say go for it OP, flights to the UK cost a pittance these days, and it sounds like you have a very supportive partner behind you. I'd go for it.

Best of luck!

Queen-Mise

I am planning to do primary school teaching in england, once I finish my degree.

I have thought about it - and my husband have no problem with it. Flights are a pittance, come home once a month and then back for mid-term, xmas, easter. You would be shocked at how quickly they all come around.

When my husband was doing his HDip, he spent a few nights a week away in college. Once i got used to it, the break was nice :D, I didn't have to watch any football or Paramount Comedy etc etc, a few nights a week for 8 months.

Go for it, you can get the education loans in england, to help you through financially.

LegacyUser

Unhappy Laura wrote: »

Have any of you made a decision like this? Is education for educations sake a good enough reason? Did ye miss the people back home too much?

To be honest id say it completely depends what the education entails. If you dont think you have any prospects of getting a job out of it then the question is will it improve you as a person? Now I cant see any point in your situation in doing some kind of business or accountancy course for the sake of it, if it was some kind of natural science or humanities course and this is your last chance to do it then I would definitely recommend it. Something that teaches you how to learn is worth doing in and of itself, not something which teaches you how to make money...

neuro-praxis

If your husband supports you and you want to do it, do it. The usual college term is 9 months. That is a drop in the ocean of your lifetime. It would be hard, but it wouldn't be forever.

Dudess

Would anywhere offer this course by correspondence (with, say, monthly workshops in the UK)?

mayordenis

1 year away to live the rest of your life maybe not thinking what could of been?
Go for it I say.

thescruff

Unhappy Laura wrote: »

I finished college 3 years ago, unable to go on to a masters as I was pregnant a few months later. My work have now offered me a year break as they are trying to cut back expenses. I am dying for this opportunity, I always was very academic and only due to my mother cutting ties with me because of my baby I couldn't go back to college. My husband is very supportive, he works at home and looks after our toddler 4 out of 5 days anyway, and we'll not be hit too badly money wise if I go and live frugaly as we've been always been careful with our savings and don't have any childcare costs etc. It's in the UK though, nowhere in Ireland does it.

My problem is, I'm not sure I should go. I don't have much of a future in my job anyway, and I'd love to get back into academia, but in terms of jobs no one seems to be getting jobs in my field even with doctorates, and it will be a year with limited contact with my boy and husband. I'm just scared I'll never get a chance like this again, we want to have more children soon, and develop my husband's business.

Have any of you made a decision like this? Is education for educations sake a good enough reason? Did ye miss the people back home too much?

Laura ur young, hubby is willin to mind the nipper, you're able to budget, you'll only get one chance like this, you'll be better qualified....of course you're going to miss the little one and himself thats the downside.
But sacrifices have to be made and imo u'd be mad to pass this one up.

unreggd

Go for it

Its not gna be a full year anyways

As was said regular flights to/from the UK are cheap enough, and u can keep in contact daily by phone / webcam etc

You seem to have worked hard the last few years so I say take the me-time

Good luck

bluecell99

Gonna take a different tack here to previous posters and say dont go.

Concentrate on your family and the clincher for me was when you say about people with Ph.Ds not able to get work.In addition it sounds as if your doubts are serious enough when asking is education for education sake worth it.My opinion is no,it's not.

Too many unknowns and doubts.Stay put.There are an awful lot of people out there with stresses over further education;wrong course choices;no money;no life quality.I hate to generalise but ,in general,I think there is far too much emphasis on further education.It certainly does not solve problems and can,in many cases,contribute to further stress and issues for people - be they school- kleavers or mature students.

Miss Fluff

Is your husband 100% supportive of this? If yes I'd say go for it. Is there any possibiluty seeing as he works from home that you could all relocate for the year?