Considering withdrawal from part-time Masters Degree to focus on a new job

KJK1LL3R

Hi folks, really struggling with this and seeking some thoughts and opinions or advice.

I am in my mid-30's and have worked in IT Technical Support roles in the Public Sector most of my career. By 2022, I had become burnt out with my career and could see that I had almost become trapped in an IT Helpdesk role with no real opportunity to progress beyond my current grade 5 pay scale. Since 2022, I have been studying towards a career pivot/transition from the IT Helpdesk into the field of Cybersecurity. I have completed various professional certifications and also returned to academic education by successfully completing a part-time level 8 higher diploma in Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance through the Springboard+ initiative.

It is my preference to remain in the Public Sector, but I hadn't anticipated that there would be so few Cybersecurity jobs in the Public Sector. I was successful in an EO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service, but at the 11th hour I was told that they wouldn't match my current grade 5 (Local Authority) salary as they deemed it more in line with a HEO grade. So I then applied for a HEO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service and didn't even qualify for an interview since I didn't have the required number of years of experience in a dedicated Cybersecurity role. So I found myself in the very difficult position of not having enough experience for anything other than an entry-level Cybersecurity role, yet I couldn't afford to accept such a role due to the significant pay cut from my current role.

Not wanting to give up, I decided to pursue a part-time level 9 MSc in Cybersecurity Management again through the Springboard+ initiative. Having completed the level 8 HDip, I thought I would be well prepared for it, but I have found it extremely challenging to keep up with the workload from a time-management point of view. I am currently in the process of moving house, which has added an additional layer of stress. Having never lived away from my parents before, I am striving to become more domesticated and manage my own home. On top of all that, I have caring responsibilities for a profoundly disabled parent living miles away, so I am long-distance travelling on a regular basis. I have already faced the penalty of losing marks for submitting some of my assignments late. I spoke to my course director to explain that I was considering withdrawing from the course as I am really struggling to cope with the demands. Unfortunately, since it is a Sprinbgoard+ funded course, there are no options to defer. I was worried that withdrawing would permanently bar me from future funding, but Springboard assured me that I could reapply after two years.

Given that there were no sideways steps in terms of Grade 5 Cybersecurity roles, I decided to start applying for Grade 6 Cybersecurity roles in the Public Sector mainly to gain interview experience. To my surprise, on my 2nd interview, I successfully finished first in the order of merit, and I will be officially offered a grade 6 Cybersecurity role with a Local Authority in early 2025. I was only really doing the Masters degree to try to help land a job, but now that I have finally landed the job, I am wondering if it is even worth putting myself through this struggle any longer. Rarely have I encountered a job application that lists a level 9 MSc as an eligibility requirement, and even in those cases, it only appears as desirable criteria rather than essential. I am also starting to get imposter syndrome since I will be stepping up from a grade 5 to a grade 6 into a new field of Cybersecurity that I have never worked in before. This has me thinking if it might make more sense to withdraw from the MSc to focus on learning and adapting to this new job role and gaining practical experience actually working in Cybersecurity as opposed to worrying about adding more educational qualifications at this point in time in my career. My only lingering concern is that if I drop out, I might never return to pursuing an MSc, or I might not have the time due to potential child-rearing obligations. As I struggle to finish this first semester, I can't imagine how I'll finish the next three. I wish the decision was simpler, but my family and friends are worried about my mental health and believe I've taken on more than I can handle.

Deeper Blue

Congrats on the new job. I think the new job may add even more stress to your plate, as they tend to do, so if I were in your position I'd bin the Masters for now. Worst case scenario, focus on the new job for two years and then reapply to the Masters after that. Experience is likely to be more beneficial than the Masters in any case. Best of luck.

C3PO

As someone who has recently completed a part-time business masters I would encourage you to push on and get it over the line. If nothing else it will give you a huge sense of achievement and confidence in your ability. If you drop out you are unlikely to return and you will always wonder whether you had the ability to successfully complete it!

KJK1LL3R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122906659#Comment_122906659

The problem is I actually feel like I am too far behind now that it is impossible to catch up without being late at submitting every single remaining assignment of this first semester. I would end up being penalised 10-20% on each assignment, which would see me finishing the semester with a much poorer score than I would want. I don't feel like it is worth doing an MSc if I can't do it justice. I don't want to just scrape a passing score by the skin of my teeth, I would want at least a 2:1 if a 1st class honours wasn't possible.

caviardreams

If you started the course in 2022 you must be nearly finished then.? How much longer do you have to go? If it's only until the summer I would definitely stick with it. As you've already put so much time and hard work into it it's only another little bit extra.

KJK1LL3R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122910627#Comment_122910627

Apologies for the confusion or if I was unclear. I meant that I started studying Cybersecurity courses since 2022, but I only started this Masters Degree in September of 2024. I am only in the first semester so wouldn't be finished until 2026 as it's a 2 year course.

Frost Spice

As you said, you only commenced the masters to help you secure a particular job, which you have now achieved (well done btw!) I know the ideal would be to complete it, but it actually doesn't seem viable right now with all your commitments - new job and otherwise. The masters isn't necessary (at the moment anyway) and it's already causing you significant stress early on. I agree with Deeper Blue. Definitely park it for your own well-being - you have enough to be contending with. You're already a very well qualified professional, and if you need to, you can always go back to the masters. All the best in your new role.

rock22

People regularly complete these part time MSc course while holding down a 9-5 job so I would say , if you can continue then you should do so. In the future such a qualification might become essential for you role and for promotion and it would be helpful for you to have it. It will never distract from you CV.

On the other hand you mention mental health. Not sure how this would be connected , but if you have concerns around your health then i would prioritise them over an academic course

Frost Spice

The stress is being caused by having so much to do otherwise - regularly caring for someone with a disability who lives a long commute away, the new job learning curve, and moving house. In my opinion it's a no-brainer. A masters is a big commitment - this definitely doesn't seem like the right time for it. Especially when it's optional.

Flinty997

I would contact the course admin and see what option there are for stretching the course over a longer period of time. Less intensively.

For future promotion you will be kicking yourself if you don't do it. That said sometime its just too hard, best to come back to it.