I'm afraid I might be ruining my own life

LegacyUser

Ok so I should just try and keep this as brief as I can. I graduated 4 years ago and since then I've worked on annual contracts with a gov department, then spent time unemployed/or work part time outside of these contracts.

Last year I started toying with the idea of doing a masters degree in an area I had a big interest in, and one that would help me get work but I'd have to travel for work. I had a lot of offers and accepted one. But a few months before my course started I noticed there were funded programs "springboard" and I started looking at them. I guess with the fee's involved (16,000 college and living costs) I decided to try one of these funded programs to see if I liked it.

Spent two months on one course and hated it, then got to change to a different one ever so slightly closer to my first degree but if I'm being very honest I don't like it and I don't think it's really help my career.

I'm 26 and I'm starting to worry that I might be the problem. I think if someone told me that they spent two months on one course and are about to leave another I'd just think they were daft.

I'm just feel so annoyed at myself that I just didn't bite the bullet and went for the masters, instead I feel I've totally wasted a year of doing subjects that I never really had any interest in.

I should also mention that I have attended all lectures and spent time studying, and I haven't lost any money doing this (no fee's and a SW allowance). I'm going for an interview next week to get back on my old contract and just get out of this. How bad does my situation sound to you?

Sligo1

If you're sure what you're currently doing is a waste of time and can afford to do the master you want drop out of the current program and do your masters. Your only 26. A masters only takes a year or 2 to complete. You'd have it by the time you're 28! Just forget the past year and take no notice of what anyone thinks or says. A masters in a tertiary education setting may do wonders for your career progression. Do it!

Viva La Gloria

I'm 27, have a masters, but still work in a crappy supermarket because I'd rather have the flexible 'shift work' perks to allow me to follow one of my favourite bands around on tour. I think I'm ruining my life; you certainly aren't!