Masters working in a dead end job

completedit

Should I leave the job and just focus on actually getting a job in what I want to do? I'm scared I'm going to ghost through and wake up and still be working the same job in 5 years time. I have a clear idea what I want to do and have the Masters that should get me in the door, but I have no work experience or internships in the field which at this stage of my life I really should have.

I'm so bummed out about what I ought to do. Keep getting one rejection letter after the next. I can't even get past the preliminary round to get myself an interview The work is just a needless distraction, I'm this weird state where I'm working but this was meant to be a part-time job throughout college, not a full-time gig.

unhappys10

completedit wrote: »

Should I leave the job and just focus on actually getting a job in what I want to do? I'm scared I'm going to ghost through and wake up and still be working the same job in 5 years time. I have a clear idea what I want to do and have the Masters that should get me in the door, but I have no work experience or internships in the field which at this stage of my life I really should have.

I'm so bummed out about what to do.

Go for it. I went back to college as a mature student, got my degree which got me into a training contract in the job I wanted.
Since I have passed professional exams and working in the field I set out to work in.
Not saying the grass is greener, after all the study and effort I don't even really like my job, it can be monotonous (accountant).
But if there are no prospects where you are and you already have the masters, what are you waiting for?

Only one way to get the experience.

Just saw your edit. All you can do is keep trying. I don't know what your field is but is volunteering or working for free for a time to get experience an idea?

Any experience at all that applies?

Mrs OBumble

What's the masters in?

completedit

Sorry, I'm sort of in a rush so wasn't able to write that as well as I would have. Basically, I'm wondering should I leave the job and actually become unemployed, as a way to sort of act as an impetus to go on a real job search

unhappys10

completedit wrote: »

Sorry, I'm sort of in a rush so wasn't able to write that as well as I would have. Basically, I'm wondering should I leave the job and actually become unemployed, as a way to sort of act as an impetus to go on a real job search

That'd be a bad idea, don't leave a paying job for unemployment. For one thing you won't qualify for any social welfare for a period and would be relying on savings etc.
Plus it doesn't look good for a potential employer.

unhappys10

unhappys10 wrote: »

Go for it. I went back to college as a mature student, got my degree which got me into a training contract in the job I wanted.
Since I have passed professional exams and working in the field I set out to work in.
Not saying the grass is greener, after all the study and effort I don't even really like my job, it can be monotonous (accountant).
But if there are no prospects where you are and you already have the masters, what are you waiting for?

Only one way to get the experience.

Just saw your edit. All you can do is keep trying. I don't know what your field is but is volunteering or working for free for a time to get experience an idea?

Any experience at all that applies?

Why would the OP leave a paying job - to spend more time writing CVs. Madness.

OP,

Why are you distracted, do you think starving will help concentrate minds. It would be ridiculous to give up your current job, especially in the current climate just to 'concentrate' on your future career.

unhappys10

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Why would the OP leave a paying job - to spend more time writing CVs. Madness.

OP,

Why are you distracted, do you think starving will help concentrate minds. It would be ridiculous to give up your current job, especially in the current climate just to 'concentrate' on your future career.

Show me where I said to leave the job.

OMM 0000

I did a masters at night while in a job I disliked. (I didn't hate it, I was just really bored and totally unmotivated).

I found a way to do a lot of my study while at work... so I got paid to study. It made my job a lot nicer.

My advice is keep your job. You can try to get some experience in your new field in some indirect way. For example, if your masters was going to be in computer science, you could start contributing to open source projects.

unhappys10

unhappys10 wrote: »

Show me where I said to leave the job

He asked should he leave his job and you said go for it. What were you telling him to go for?

Tell me how

Tell me how wrote: »

Most definitely do not leave the current job until you have a valid reason for doing so.

I presume the Masters is part time? Is there any way that if your current company heard you were doing a Masters that they might change your role so that they would benefit from your new education?

Doing a Masters can be helpful in a couple of ways, it can help keep the mind distracted, entertained (or a version of this) or can give a sense of achievement as you complete modules semester by semester. That's as well as obviously educating you in a way to open new employment opportunities. If you had this going on in your life, you might find that the job is more bearable.

Leaving a job and starting a new one at the same time as starting a Masters could put extra pressure on you. I did my MSc while working full time in a very busy role and the number of hours/week got insane for a period. Doing that while to learn and impress in a new job does not sound ideal.

If a friend asked me directly for advice on this, I'd suggest they start the Masters and look to leave the job after year one (assuming it is a two year program) in order to move towards a more career focused position.

He already has the masters.

Tell me how

Deleted User wrote: »

He already has the masters.

Jaysus, don't know how I missed that ever so slightly key point. I'll delete my ramblings.

completedit

My post wasn't that clear, appreciate all the replies

job seeker

completedit wrote: »

My post wasn't that clear, appreciate all the replies

First of all. Congrats on the masters! Well done, that's a huge achievement! What field of study was it in though???


I think, it's important to keep your current job. Jobs are gonna be so hard to get due to Covid19. Plus, you'll need money. I think you should get some sort of work experience. As this seems to be the issue from getting yourself in the door. Even if you got a project or two as someone here has already suggested! Not only would that help gain experience, but it would enable you to explained your network in that field.

Rikand

Is your masters in a field where you could do something tangible with it in your spare time ?

For example, a software masters. You could create an app in your spare time, load it up onto the play store or have a downloadable link to it and then use that creation to further your chances of getting a job. A friend of mine did this. He was struggling to get software jobs so created a simple zombie shooting game app. Used it as his in and now hes doing really well.

Something like that or something demonstrable that you are doing outside of work to show you can perform in your chosen field will help