Deciding between two awesome choices.

[BigDH01]

Graduating this semester with a Master's in InfAs. I have been offered a public consulting position with a smallish consulting firm that has real potential. Most people that work there are Harvard, Yale, and Columbia types with many coming in with an MPA from the Kennedy school. They offered me a position starting at 55k + signing bonus + year end bonus which will take me to 65-70k. This is not bad for the middle of Iowa and the job itself is probably above the prestige my degree from Iowa State offers me. The person who offered it said I should make 100k by the 3rd year if I'm performing. I don't like the fact that I'll only get 2 weeks vacation, etc, as I am used to the 5 weeks I get now working for the university.

On the other hand, I believe I'm also going to get offered entry into the Bush school of government at Texas A&M. This is an upcoming school with great faculty and awesome reputation. Can be visited here. You can see what types of jobs they get here. When I just visited for the interviews, they had Bush 41 and the secretary general of the UN there to speak. Bush 41 also attends every graduation ceremony to see off the graduating class. This program is very affordable and I won't have to take any further loans. It would give me the opportunity to travel internationally and make some very excellent contacts. Afterwards, I would probably end up in intelligence but might also get a chance to consult in geopolitical risks. I'm not sure what this would pay but I'm sure it would be less than what I would make working for the consulting company mentioned above. I would also have to learn another language to graduate (thinking Russian or Arabic).

My stomach is in knots thinking about this. Taking the job ensures money and security but means I'll be doing work that's not as interesting as national security. Would still provide great experience.

Going back to school ensures I'll learn another language, further my education, travel internationally, and make some awesome contacts. However, afterwards I'd limit my pay if I go the federal route and I'm not sure what life would be like if I went to a contractor. It also means I'll be broke for the next two years.

All advice or guidance is welcomed. I would specifically like advice from anyone in the intelligence field or has a degree in international affairs.

 

[xanis]

Is there any reason why you can't take the consulting job then go to that other school for the government later?

 

[paulxcook]

The 2nd option sounds more exciting, but in my situation I'd take the 1st. But then, I'm married and have responsibilities to my future family that you might not have yet.

 

[BigDH01]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Is there any reason why you can't take the consulting job then go to that other school for the government later?

Well, a great deal of my compensation at this job will be bonus-based. They pay the greater part of your bonus in February of the year you earned it but the rest over the next two years. I'm afraid if I take the job, I'll be placed in a position where I really want to stay to obtain the entirety of my bonus. I'm also 25 already, so I'm getting nervous about getting too old for some of the positions I'm interested in.

 

[Safeway]

If you will be making 100k by the time your would-be graduation date from Texas A&M rolls around, I would take the consulting job. Faster money, no lost opportunity.

 

[BigDH01]

Originally posted by: Safeway
If you will be making 100k by the time your would-be graduation date from Texas A&M rolls around, I would take the consulting job. Faster money, no lost opportunity.

Just not sure I'm in it for the money.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: BigDH01

Originally posted by: Safeway
If you will be making 100k by the time your would-be graduation date from Texas A&M rolls around, I would take the consulting job. Faster money, no lost opportunity.

Just not sure I'm in it for the money.

Then why are you even here, asking for help? I say do one, you say, no the other. Then do the other! Go to Texas A&M and live in the second most boring college town in Texas. (First is Lubbock.)

 

[Vette73]

Bush school of government

Hahaha... yea hold out for that. :laugh:

Maybe minor in the Cheney school of ethics?

 

[SpunkyJones]

I'd take the money and run, but I'm an old fart with a wife and two kids. Plus I'm not motivated to learn a second language, I have enough issues with English.

 

[maziwanka]

dude. the school opportunity sounds awesome.

 

[Gibson486]

2 weeks??? I am in the same boat as you. Unfortunately, 2 weeks is the norm for the consulting industry. Perhaps you could try to negotiate vacation time? It is possible to do so.

If you can afford it (no loans, nothing in your way), I'd go for #2. After all, if this leads to a govt. job, job security will not be an issue for you.

 

[MaxDepth]

In my not-so-humble opinion, I would take the school.

First off bonus is something not just measured by your work, it is also how well you did compared to others and most importantly, how much money is available for bonuses. Even if you did a great job, someone ranked higher in performance and position could take a greater cut and leave you with less. Be smart; never bank on the bonus.

Also, there is "opportunity" for 100K in 3 years. That is always true, opportunity will always be there. Realistically, you need to hear the words "you will" instead of "you might." Additionally, two weeks of vacation starting off is normal. However, as a junior rank in the company will you really be able to take that time off? Somewhere between the top and the bottom of the corporate ladder is a position that allows you to take all the vacation.

I know of this school. I think the opportunities for networking are pretty amazing. If you can handle student poverty for a few more years, I think the school option is a better choice.

 

[BigDH01]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
In my not-so-humble opinion, I would take the school.

First off bonus is something not just measured by your work, it is also how well you did compared to others and most importantly, how much money is available for bonuses. Even if you did a great job, someone ranked higher in performance and position could take a greater cut and leave you with less. Be smart; never bank on the bonus.

Also, there is "opportunity" for 100K in 3 years. That is always true, opportunity will always be there. Realistically, you need to hear the words "you will" instead of "you might." Additionally, two weeks of vacation starting off is normal. However, as a junior rank in the company will you really be able to take that time off? Somewhere between the top and the bottom of the corporate ladder is a position that allows you to take all the vacation.

I know of this school. I think the opportunities for networking are pretty amazing. If you can handle student poverty for a few more years, I think the school option is a better choice.

This is a concern of mine as well. If I take base pay and compare it to what I make at the university now, I net a similar amount. They have the pretty standard 3% match to a 401k and ~$150/mo for health insurance. Right now, I throw 5% into retirement and the university contributes 10% and I pay $9/mo for health insurance. My pay increase at the job would basically be future raises and bonuses, and the bonuses aren't guaranteed.

How do you know of the school? The other applicants I met were all top notch, as was the faculty. They had experience in many different organizations, think tanks, etc. I'm concerned I'll never experience high pay doing this, but it can't be that bad. I think I'd also have a leg up above the others when I'm done as most of them had PolS backgrounds while my undergrad was in Microbiology. The faculty there said that people with science and finance backgrounds tend to get snatched up quickly upon graduating.