Secondment Vs Education

pauloz

Hi All,

I currently work in IT, I have a pretty good job. I have just completed 1st year of a part time Hons Business Degree. I'm very happy to be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, ie work and study at the same time. The reason I wanted to get a degree was for a few reasons:

1. To be at the same level as my peers/friends
2. I would feel more confident whilst applying for other jobs
3. I have always wanted a degree.

But now I have a bit of a dilemma.

A secondment (for anyone that doesn't know, a secondment is were your company relocates you to another location, all expenses paid) is on the horizon for 2 years working in the U.S. I don't think I will be able to do well in the course by not being there for class, as I spent 2 months in the US this year and really saw the effects and disadvantages of not going to class, because its part time, its very fast paced.

I loved being there for 2 months and really want to be there permanently. My quality of life will vastly improve. It is wonderful for my career progression and to continue up the ladder.

So I'm looking for advice, should I

A - Leave the course and move to the US?
B - Decline the move to the US and continue the degree course?
C - Try and muddle through the course remotely from the US at a disadvantage and only be present at exam time. (All I will have are online notes)?

Bear in mind it will be very difficult if there are no exams and the module is 100% CA, I will have to try and work with the lecturers to accommodate me near exam time when im home. I have spoken to someone who has just completed 2nd year, and he said it was quite difficult.

I really cannot make up my mind either way, but I'm leaning towards packing the course in and just going to the U.S. But that means I will have to start again with education in the future.

Any guidance from anyone?

Stheno

Ask your college if you can do the work remotely?
I'm doing a Masters at the moment which is entirely online and it's been fine.

Tigger99

I think you missed option c Stheno

Well from how you've enthused about the secondment and it's benefits I think you would be mad to turn it down. Then the choice is whether or not to continue with the course. As you said it's very fast paced and by the sounds of it not designed for remote studying could you see about transferring to a college near your new home in the US?

If not you could try the remote option but if it didn't work at least you tried it
It doesn't mean the end of your education. You could start another course when you are settled (if you can't transfer the course you are in now). Or maybe start a new course that would be more accessible remotely.

You do have a lot of options.

By the sounds of it this is a once in s lifetime opportunity. Education will always be there.

Stheno

Tigger99 wrote: »

I think you missed option c Stheno

Well from how you've enthused about the secondment and it's benefits I think you would be mad to turn it down. Then the choice is whether or not to continue with the course. As you said it's very fast paced and by the sounds of it not designed for remote studying could you see about transferring to a college near your new home in the US?

If not you could try the remote option but if it didn't work at least you tried it
It doesn't mean the end of your education. You could start another course when you are settled (if you can't transfer the course you are in now). Or maybe start a new course that would be more accessible remotely.

You do have a lot of options.

By the sounds of it this is a once in s lifetime opportunity. Education will always be there.

DUh should have worded it better, I meant to say to ask the college if they can further support remote working.

However you've reminded me about another option, deferring the course for a year, I did that mid way through my masters as I was literally travelling for weeks on end, and didn't have time, so my studies were suspended and I started again a year later.

Mrs OBumble

Try to defer the course for two years. Best of both worlds.

pauloz

Thanks for the help guys!! Is it actually possible to defer the course even if you have only completed 1 year? I thought I would have had to do 2 years at least.

Stheno

pauloz wrote: »

Thanks for the help guys!! Is it actually possible to defer the course even if you have only completed 1 year? I thought I would have had to do 2 years at least.

I deferred after year one.

Tom Dunne

Many years ago I faced the same choice. I was still a teenager, deferred my course and have never looked back.

It was for a large US multinational, still remember getting off the plane and being handed the keys to a car and an apartment.

I am now studying for my PhD.

'nuff said.

Irish_Elect_Eng

Take the secondment if you want your career to continue to grow within the company. Refusing good opportunities is a quick way to stall your career.

Option

Distance learning is not for everyone.
Ask the company to fund your college fees in the USA @ a local college.
You could even possible use this to leverage an extension to your secondment to complete your degree. :-)

boobar

Here's my view...

The experience you gain from the secondment will help your career.

Press pause on the college course until you get the lie of the land in the US.

You've already said you'd enjoy being based in the US.

Plenty of time to complete the degree and it'll stand to you even more with all the international experience.

Best of luck.