Next "move" (life, career, location....) ?

LegacyUser

Really hope I can get some fresh perspective and advice on this... can't see the wood from the trees!

2 years ago I became single and ended a longish relationship, he wasn't right for me and I had to change career and overall made the decision to get on with my life. I'm 29 now and have spent past 2 years studying and gaining experience in a relevant job, which is just part-time. It had to be part-time as I was studying full-time. My plan was to do an MA this Sept and professional exams afterwards when I would then be able to apply for the job I've ultimately been studying towards.

A huge difficulty for me all this time has been finance and I'm really really broke but scraping by week by week. I'll be rid of a loan that has been choking me come July/August but I really don't want to have to struggle so much and so soon again and so have been thinking about postponing the MA until Sept 2012. I would be kinda reluctant in a way to do that but I don't think I could really stomach a new big loan to cover fees, etc. (I've already done a degree and postgrad so have to pay fees this time).

But the other major thing on my mind which I've been suppressing but which is getting harder to ignore is that I would love to pursue my dream job/career which is in visual arts. I would love to properly do this, not on a part-time basis and when I'm so stressed and have this other study/MA etc. to do, and I would love to go abroad for a year, even in July/August, and just try to pursue this dream (taking whatever work I can to pay my living expenses).

The other thing that makes me question doing that -and maybe I'm being too sensible- is that I'm 29, single, and although I'm not ready or wanting to settle down just yet, I do want to "set things up" so that it will be possible for me to settle down in a few years time and I don't want any nagging regrets!

What do you think would be the right and wise thing to do here? Although I do know my options I really want to make the right decision and not regret things later.

Thanks a mil.

tenchi-fan

Education seems to be never-ending. Most degrees are useless on their own. The masters is usually a tacked-on year. The career choice is based on the degree. And the professional exams are necessary to have any chance of a decent job in your career. I got caught in that trap.

The fact is most young people in Ireland tried to set themselves up (often by buying a house or going to college) only to find their net worth is now negative by tens if not hundreds of thousands, while the coasters may never have earned anything, but at least their net worth is zero. (edit: just to be clear, this is why I'm advising you to try to pursue something you'll enjoy, rather than just doing more time in college in the hope of a decent salary at the end of it.)

I'm 29 too and did my degree, masters and professional exams. I'm working in Canada at the moment. I'm plotting to save a few grand over the next couple of years to fund more education in a completely different area (by doing a foundation course through distance learning, bridging diploma for one year and see where it goes from there)

My advice:

# think twice about doing a second masters if you already have one. Why not go straight for your professional exams? They're often at the same standard as a masters and can be studied while you are working.

# If you haven't ever worked full-time, I recommend you do so for at least a year to appreciate the extra time in college when you eventually return!

# If you do go the professional exams route, bear in mind it's a lot of effort. The financial reward might be there, but most people succeed in their chosen careers through a genuine interest. Otherwise you'll probably end up just tipping by and paying the bills.

# You did well to stay out of serious debt so far, but your courses are about to get expensive and starting salaries can be poor. I'd recommend you save the money first, as debt hanging over your head will really take away from your ability to concentrate on your studies.

# The year abroad sounds great. I'm in Canada at the moment. I've worked in a few different companies. It's really giving me a breather to focus a lot more on my future.

# Don't expect to get a job in an industry you have no experience in, regardless of the lengths or expense you go to - Especially not abroad. You're setting yourself up for a fall if you save €5k and land in Sydney or Toronto expecting a brand new life in a new career. Either have something lined up before you move abroad, or look into unpaid work experience on a temporary or part-time basis.

kerryman12

wow you have got a lot going on there!

First off I would agree with the previous poster in that more education is usually a good thing. The thing is though that you seem to be highly qualified in an area that isn't your true interest.

You are 29 and based on your post have no real ties, so that gives you options. You can go and do your visual arts thing if you want, alternatively you can go for that MA. That will probably not always be the case so right now is your opportunity.

This last piece of advise may appear useless at first but please take the time to think about it.
You can waste so much time worrying about doing the right thing. In the end it is just a waste of time IMO. My meandering experience tells me there is no such thing as a simple right and wrong decision. There is only what is right and wrong for you at this crossroads. All you can do is make the best decision for you right now based on your options. It is so easy to waste a month or six worrying about making the wrong decision and by default make no decision and just drift.
So throw that monkey off you back, look at your option, research them in detail, get all of the information you can - make an informed decision, and go for it.

Best of luck