having a career while you are on your masters...

[Semidevil]

realistically, and from the majority here, have you guys had a real paying career, while you were still concurrently working on your Masters? Or do you guys usually just continue your temporary job until you finish your masters?

Does the career start after graduate work if you guys pursue such a degree?

I'm at a situation where I am going to graduate soon, and I want to get a higher degree. But at the same time, I dont want to be the sales man that I am now, all the way till I finish. I just want to check what people usually do?

I would like to start my career, first because it is good experience, and 2nd, it sounds better.

Another factor is that I live w/ my parents now. And after I graduate, I plan to move out, and right now, the salesman job probably will not cut it, for when I move out on my own.

I talked to my parents about it, and they, being the nice people that they were, told me to just not worry about jobs. They said they will take care of me till I finish masters, and that is when I should care about career.

But I dont want to do that.......I mean, if it's possible, i want to start making the cash asap.....but still be doing my graduate work at the same time...


ofcourse, this all differs by majors, so just for fun, my major is BA in math, hoping to do things involving statistics/risk management.........

 

[Svnla]

I studied for my MBA (night classes) while working fulltime (daytime) for a Fortune 100 company (real paying job) and I was living on my own (no daddy or momy's help).

It was not easy for sure but if I can do it, you can do it too.

 

[DT4K]

The good thing about getting a job first is it gives you a chance to decide if you really like the field before you spend another 2 or more years getting a graduate degree.

I got a job after getting my BSCS because I was tired of being a poor college student. After 3 years as a software developer, I know that I want to continue in this field. I'm starting a part-time online MS program next week while continuing to work full-time.

 

[RKS]

How much class room per week time does a Masters program require?

Since starting law school I have;

Always worked full time in a professional field
Gotten married and went on a honeymoon
Bought a house
Changed jobs and career paths (I.S./programming to real estate)
Had a child

You will have plenty of time if you manage your schedule carefully. The worst thing for me was giving up playing sports 4 or 5 times a week. I think it is vital to try to find a position in the field you may want to persue a Masters in. As other posters have noted this is the best time to test-drive jobs.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I'm doing a master's in meche now and there's no way I could hold down a job outside of my school work and remain sane. I typically work about 70 hours a week, usually over 5 days, and I try to reserve the weekends to spend with my fiancee. The only way I could work (part time) would be on the weekend, which would kick me up to about 86 hours a week. No thank you.

 

[preslove]

Join a PhD program, get a fellowship or an assistanship, quit after the MA.

 

[Spamela]

i was working full-time as a software developer
while i earned my graduate degree in C.S.

it's tough, but it's a lot easier to do it if you're single (i wasn't).

 

[Svnla]

Originally posted by: RKS
How much class room per week time does a Masters program require?

IIRC, my MBA degree required 33 hours or 11 classes (if you already have a background/minor in business-- I got my BS in Business/IT). It may take you longer if you want to study something different than your Bachelor degree.

I took one to two classes a semester. I think I went to class about two nights a week for class time plus time to study/homework/group project/writting paper/ect. (about 15 to 20 extra hours per week, sometimes more or less).

I agree with the poster about easier to get your advance degree if you are single. I don't think I could do it if I was married and had kid(s).

If you want to get a Master degree, do it now and don't wait until later, you may never have a chance again and regret it.

 

[GasX]

If you are going for an MBA (possible from your post...) I recommend one of two approaches:

1. Get into a TOP B-school and go full-time even if you need financial aid.
2. Get into any other B-school and go while working on something career related.

Going full-time to a mediocre school is often not a financially sound decision...

 

[CanOWorms]

I've known several people who were working as full-time engineers and also taking courses part-time (normal day-time courses, not night-time) for their MSEE.

Has anyone applied for a real, professional job while already attending a MS program? I wonder how companies feel about that.

 

[pmoa]

Thats why i just went straight into my masters and then began work. i was still in the mood to go to class.