I'm pushing 30. I recently finished a master's in urban planning and real estate from one of those old prestigous institutions of higher learning back east (this one is in upstate ny). I think the more education you have, the longer it takes to find a job b/c you won't take just anything. Especially right now - I've been looking for about 4 months and don't have anything firm yet (i guess that's not that bad, since I missed the early 90's recession). A big HOWEVER, is that the jobs that are available to me now with a master's are WAY better than what I could get before going back to school, although they don't pay much more (sometimes less), and are harder to find.

The choice to go back to school is a tough one, and it really depends on one's personal situation and strengths. Don't go back (yet) unless you are pretty sure of what you want to do. I also caution against narrowly focused degrees, becuase then you can end up pigeon holed into certain jobs that might not always be available, and you may end up moving all over the country to pursue them (but some like that).

There are a lot of senior executives out there that have not pursued advanced degrees. They've been successful b/c of their personalities and drive for success. But, I think many would agree that an advanced degree is never a bad idea - it seems like it will definately open some new doors for me. (Man, it kind of makes me mad though when I see total boneheads that make 6 or 7 figures with barely a bachelors degree!)

The most important thing though, is to be pretty darn sure of what you want to go back for and why, and what you hope it will accomplish for you after school. Talk to people that do what you want to do. I think you will definately get more out of school if you work and live a while though. I ski bummed in Utah for 3 years, but for 1.5 of those I had a 'real job' in environmental consulting. After I got laid off from the environmental job, I wanted to hide back in grad school, but I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do long term. I worked two more years in real estate on the east coast, and then applied to schools. I had been out of school for about 5 years before I went back. My level of maturity and focus is much higher now, but I can't stay up as late.

***Oh, and grad school ain't no party like undergrad - believe me. You will probably have close to zero free time for chasing pretty girls or boys and drinking beer. Its sink or swim, especially the first year.

SAAB related - Once my wife finishes her MBA, we should be able to afford a 9-5 wagon!

posted by 12.252.136...

• Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, roman, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 12:58:20
  • Re: Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, nana k, Fri, 26 Nov 2004 10:05:11
  • Math + Econ = opportunity and fun, John E. Anderson, Sun, 12 Oct 2003 10:39:11
  • MBA, Heckler, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 19:42:18
  • I'm in school right now, WASSAAB, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 10:05:53
    • Re: I'm in school right now, Camm , Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:12:36
  • From yet another UMASS Grad, EAL, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 09:43:05
    • I lived in SW, Emerson & James is all female now ;), roman, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 09:50:20
  • Re: Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, BHarvey, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 07:26:50
  • hmmm, nt moore, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 07:14:33
  • Would you consider being an Acturary ? This is..., TKC, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 06:46:22
    • Re: Would you consider being an Acturary ? This is..., Spiros Trianta, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 17:12:27
      • Obviously you don't know what an actuary does, you...., TKC, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 20:30:41
        • Re: Obviously you don't know what an actuary does, you...., Spiros Trianta, Sat, 11 Oct 2003 18:59:07
          • There are many pieces to an actuarial department...., TKC, Sat, 11 Oct 2003 20:20:34
    • Just make sure you like Excel *a lot* (-), Vlad, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 07:12:27
  • Do it sooner, rather than later............., paul de k, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 05:32:30
  • Don't know what your political bent is but ..., JJ, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 04:49:09
  • From another UMass econ. grad'......, zeke, Fri, 10 Oct 2003 03:32:09
  • You've got the right attitude to really benefit..., Nervousaaber, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 21:38:51
  • Dude, let me give you a little different perspective, Texron, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 19:53:24
    • After reading your postings for years, I'd hardly say, RS , Fri, 10 Oct 2003 06:30:48
    • Re: Dude, let me give you a little different perspective, BrianD, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 20:18:14
  • School is good +, ChrisB, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 18:21:10
  • Re: Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, Erik W, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 17:13:58
  • OT: This is why I love this BB!, FrozenSaab, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 17:06:33
  • Re: Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, steveC, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 16:14:21
  • Similar route, Jon in Chicago, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:17:56
    • School is nirvana, Spiros Trianta, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 20:20:52
    • Teaching Assistantship, jc, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 17:31:27
  • I hear ya, but grass isn't always greener (long), BrianD, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:46:54 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Think about this ->, michael p, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:28:06
  • Re: Any Post-Baccalaureate graduates +, MisplacedYankee , Thu, 9 Oct 2003 13:17:26
    • RE: more cynical and analytical, Damn..., Chris., Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:01:31
  • You are me a year and a half ago!, FrozenSaab, Thu, 9 Oct 2003 13:08:49

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