Post grad or job?

Amara22

Hi everyone,

Just looking for an outsiders perspective or anyone with advice to weigh in.
I completed my honours degree last year in a very specialised area. I have been looking for work in my field in my area for the past year with no luck (been doing childminding in the mean time and yes I am registered as an employee).
Decided if work wasn't going to come up, I would try to figure something else out as I didn't want to be childminding forever and really wanted to work in my field of interest. I found a masters degree program in my local college that would allow me to stay in my field but also upskill and expand on the jobs I would be qualified to apply for. It also included a 6 month placement in a company that I would love to work for. Applied for a scholarship and got it meaning fees would be covered. I would receive about 200 euro per week for living expenses. Was all geared up to start this course in 2 weeks and got a call today offering me a job!

The job is exactly the title I want although I don't yet know the salary, have to go in and chat with them on Wednesday. It sounds perfect except it is an hour each way to get there. This would be a paying job whereas the post grad program is 6 months unpaid. I only looked into the post grad because I couldn't get a job but if I take the job and the commute is too much the chance of doing the masters will be gone forever.

I just don't know what to do, any have an hour or longer commute and think it's worth it? Best case scenario for this job is about 12 euro per hour but jobs with my title don't come up very often in my area and I'd love to get real experience. After a certain amount of placements you get tired or working for free!

Sorry for the long post, thanks in advance for any help

playedalive

Amara22 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Just looking for an outsiders perspective or anyone with advice to weigh in.
I completed my honours degree last year in a very specialised area. I have been looking for work in my field in my area for the past year with no luck (been doing childminding in the mean time and yes I am registered as an employee).
Decided if work wasn't going to come up, I would try to figure something else out as I didn't want to be childminding forever and really wanted to work in my field of interest. I found a masters degree program in my local college that would allow me to stay in my field but also upskill and expand on the jobs I would be qualified to apply for. It also included a 6 month placement in a company that I would love to work for. Applied for a scholarship and got it meaning fees would be covered. I would receive about 200 euro per week for living expenses. Was all geared up to start this course in 2 weeks and got a call today offering me a job!

The job is exactly the title I want although I don't yet know the salary, have to go in and chat with them on Wednesday. It sounds perfect except it is an hour each way to get there. This would be a paying job whereas the post grad program is 6 months unpaid. I only looked into the post grad because I couldn't get a job but if I take the job and the commute is too much the chance of doing the masters will be gone forever.

I just don't know what to do, any have an hour or longer commute and think it's worth it? Best case scenario for this job is about 12 euro per hour but jobs with my title don't come up very often in my area and I'd love to get real experience. After a certain amount of placements you get tired or working for free!

Sorry for the long post, thanks in advance for any help

Yeah it is a tough one.

When you said €12 per hour for the job (ok money is not everything) but the money is only a bit more over minimum wage. I got nearly €10 an hour in retail.

Personally, if I were you, the postgrad option would look more attractive. If it retrains you and puts you in a better position (as you said yourself), I think it's worth the investment. Though I am looking as this as an arts graduate who worked in retail, is not unemployed, and realises he needs to upskill to be more employment friendly.

Of course, unpaid placements are crap but, depending on the hours with this job, you mightn't be any more better off than Jobseeker's allowance. And a better chance of making contacts if there are a few placements. Ireland is a small country so placements might be a blessing in disguise.

But then again, it's the title you want. So you might regret it if you don't go for it.

Tarzana

playedalive wrote: »

When you said €12 per hour for the job (ok money is not everything) but the money is only a bit more over minimum wage. I got nearly €10 an hour in retail.

It's a good bit more than minimum wage, and works out at €24k+ a year. Not too shabby for a graduate position.

playedalive

Tarzana wrote: »

It's a good bit more than minimum wage, and works out at €24k+ a year. Not too shabby for a graduate position.

Fair point.

You could take the job, and there's always the option to go back to college if the job didn't work out.

Best of luck with the decision.

Nody

Work experience tend to trump studies OP; esp. getting that first job to get on the ladder which is the route I'd look at going if I was you. You'd also need to consider the commute though; is it doable (cost/time wise)? Can you move there (not right now but in a 6 month perspective) to reduce it?

Amara22

Nody wrote: »

Work experience tend to trump studies OP; esp. getting that first job to get on the ladder which is the route I'd look at going if I was you. You'd also need to consider the commute though; is it doable (cost/time wise)? Can you move there (not right now but in a 6 month perspective) to reduce it?

It's really just the commute that has me questioning everything. If it was local, I would jump at it. I worked in a temporary position 30 mins away for a month last year and it was tough. Not so much the time, but the cost. It was across the boarder though so was only making £7.50 per hour and the way the pound was then it only worked out to e8.40. I felt like all of the money I made went on petrol.

Unfortunately I'm not in the position to move as I have a daughter in school here. That also means I have more considerations in terms or extended childcare costs for the additional driving time.

Amara22

playedalive wrote: »

Yeah it is a tough one.

When you said €12 per hour for the job (ok money is not everything) but the money is only a bit more over minimum wage. I got nearly €10 an hour in retail.

Personally, if I were you, the postgrad option would look more attractive. If it retrains you and puts you in a better position (as you said yourself), I think it's worth the investment. Though I am looking as this as an arts graduate who worked in retail, is not unemployed, and realises he needs to upskill to be more employment friendly.

Of course, unpaid placements are crap but, depending on the hours with this job, you mightn't be any more better off than Jobseeker's allowance. And a better chance of making contacts if there are a few placements. Ireland is a small country so placements might be a blessing in disguise.

But then again, it's the title you want. So you might regret it if you don't go for it.

I know what you're saying as 12 per hour is the best case scenario and because of the commute there are additional petrol and childcare costs. Because of the rarity of the job title I want arising it just feels like I should go for it but if it's ends up to be too expensive then the college option is gone as the scholarship will expire. Thanks for weighting in

jaymcg91

I'd do the postgrad if I were you. Funding is becoming less and less common, I'd jump on it TBH. Take the opportunities to differenciate yourself whilst they're there.

InReality

Its tough call but overall i think the job would be more valuable to you. In general i'd advise a job in a field over a post grad , and the more specialized the field the more imp the job would be.

RomanGod

When making the decision look at the cons first

If you choose post grad
-you might not get the grade you want
-unpaid
-not guaranteed a job in the future because you said jobs like this don't come often

If you choose job
-not becoming an expert in your field, only have a degree which means salary increases will be tougher to achieve until you do post grad
-the longer you push post grad the less likely you are to do it

3 cons for post grad, only 2 cons for job... ergo choose job

Mr. Loverman

Why can't you do both?

I worked full-time, ran a business part-time, and did a masters part-time. I was able to balance everything so I was successful in all areas, so it's doable. You just have to be disciplined and driven.

hidinginthebush

Nody wrote: »

Work experience tend to trump studies OP; esp. getting that first job to get on the ladder which is the route I'd look at going if I was you. You'd also need to consider the commute though; is it doable (cost/time wise)? Can you move there (not right now but in a 6 month perspective) to reduce it?

Can't say this enough OP.

I was in a similar enough situation to you, except I finished my undergrad in 2006. Everybody that wanted a job from my class got one, I, on the other hand, decided to go ahead and do a PhD. Finishing up in 2011, I couldn't find a job for love nor money. Had I decided to go working straight after college, I'd have had 4 years experience under my belt. Fast forward to today, I'm working in a field that is no way related to my postgrad work, still get shot down for different positions due to lack of experience (I'm just shy of the magical 3 years experience mark), taking entry level positions etc.

So yeah, unless you want to steer your career into a life of academia, post grad work probably isn't the way to go. You can always go back and do a course later on, or do one part time if you still have the itch. But you'll be better off getting a few years experience under your belt first IMO, as it'll stand to you better, and companies will be more likely to take on an experienced worker than one with a few extra qualifications with little experience.

starlit

I'd recommend doing both if you can at all possible. It be hard but I think it might be worthwhile in the end and be more rewarding. Its not for everyone though. You have to think long and hard about it. Having a paid job is probably better but if you get better work experience from the unpaid one while doing the course might be a better option? You be doing a placement anyway and I think that might look better on CV when applying for jobs. Its a win win if working and doing course. Then again maybe do both if its possible it is doable? The commute would probably be a deciding factor too. Too long a commute I don't think be worth the hassle could be for nothing.

pauliebdub

I would seriously consider the job, the work experience benefits outweigh the benefits of additional studies. if you find the commute arduous you would be in a better position to change jobs in 12 months time. Could you not complete a masters part time?

Amara22

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Why can't you do both?

I worked full-time, ran a business part-time, and did a masters part-time. I was able to balance everything so I was successful in all areas, so it's doable. You just have to be disciplined and driven.

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately I've already considered this and its not possible as the post grad includes a 6 month full time internship with a different company. I've already asked and there are no allowances or changes allowed- it has to be 40 hours per week