Ross
Staff member
So I've got a big decision or two to make over the next few weeks, and I wanted to hear back from people and get opinions/suggestions as to what I should do. In the end, it's my decision, but some extra input would be nice. This is also here for me to keep tabs on everything and have it all written out.
Right now, here's my situation (which will be updated):
Currently:
- Enrolled in graduate school.
- Working 20-25 hours per week at Blockbuster.
- Possible consulting job, forecasting NY weather for a private company. I would be working out of home.
- Possible full time job as a field tech, servicing weather stations in the San Diego area.
[STRIKE]1. Stay in graduate school.
- This is typically an easy decision to make (wtf you're there, why would you leave?!?). I'm well aware of the importance of getting my education, but I don't know if I'm cut out for grad. school... or at least just the program I'm in right now. The large amount of calculus problems and derivations is really taxing on my brain, which is just not suited to solve these equations. I'm just not wired for it. I fear that if I stay in my current program, I won't be able to graduate with my Masters' (since I need a 3.0 average, and trying to get that is a monumental struggle).
- On top of this, I am one of the few unfortunate people paying for grad. school. This means, on top of having to take 3 grad. courses and pay for it all, I also have to work 20-25 hours per week just so I make sure I don't deplete my bank account too much. Right now, there's just not enough time in my day to get everything done, so some of my homework is not as polished as it should be. On the plus side, there's also the opportunity to participate in VORTEX2 this spring, which basically means I get to storm chase for a few weeks. Storm chasing is something I've wanted to do my entire life, and this would be a great time to do it.[/STRIKE]
2. Take a semester off.
- This would allow me to come back in the fall of 2010, where tuition would be $4500 for the year as an in-state student, vs. the $18,000 I'm paying now for freshman year. This would take a nice financial burden off of me, and I would be able to organize myself a bit more and get life back on track. Should the forecast-from-home job pull through, I could be doing that and working at Blockbuster, which would at least give me positive earnings during the semester off (I'm currently losing $150-200 per month).
3. Get a job in my major
- Tomorrow, I have my 2nd phone interview with WeatherBug for a field tech position in California. Though this does get me into the field of meteorology, my goal is to forecast as a living... and this isn't forecasting. This could be my "foot in the door" that leads to the better jobs. The company also offers paying for education, so I might be able to get my Masters' as a part-time student while working there. Of course, this would also mean I move out to California, which is completely different than Upstate NY and Raleigh. I'm a pretty adaptable person, but that would still be a decent cultural shock considering the life I've led so far.
Right now I'm leaning strongly towards #2, but I am also liking #3 if the money is right. I would like to get my Masters' degree eventually, but I'd rather do it without destroying my brain in the process.
UPDATE 1
So I've decided to take next semester off, no matter what. There's just no way I'll be able to get good grades and do what I'm doing now.
I had my 2nd phone interview, and it went really well. They seem eager to bring me aboard based by their intonations, but they did not state it as a fact. I have yet to hear back from the HR person, but I won't be expecting an e-mail from them until the end of the day, anyway (i.e. what happened last week after the first interview).
Also, I realized that combining #2 and #3 is impossible, as #2 would take me out of state, and thus ineligible for in-state tuition next fall. I would need to continue to live in Raleigh if I want #2 to work out for me.
Right now, here's my situation (which will be updated):
Currently:
- Enrolled in graduate school.
- Working 20-25 hours per week at Blockbuster.
- Possible consulting job, forecasting NY weather for a private company. I would be working out of home.
- Possible full time job as a field tech, servicing weather stations in the San Diego area.
[STRIKE]1. Stay in graduate school.
- This is typically an easy decision to make (wtf you're there, why would you leave?!?). I'm well aware of the importance of getting my education, but I don't know if I'm cut out for grad. school... or at least just the program I'm in right now. The large amount of calculus problems and derivations is really taxing on my brain, which is just not suited to solve these equations. I'm just not wired for it. I fear that if I stay in my current program, I won't be able to graduate with my Masters' (since I need a 3.0 average, and trying to get that is a monumental struggle).
- On top of this, I am one of the few unfortunate people paying for grad. school. This means, on top of having to take 3 grad. courses and pay for it all, I also have to work 20-25 hours per week just so I make sure I don't deplete my bank account too much. Right now, there's just not enough time in my day to get everything done, so some of my homework is not as polished as it should be. On the plus side, there's also the opportunity to participate in VORTEX2 this spring, which basically means I get to storm chase for a few weeks. Storm chasing is something I've wanted to do my entire life, and this would be a great time to do it.[/STRIKE]
2. Take a semester off.
- This would allow me to come back in the fall of 2010, where tuition would be $4500 for the year as an in-state student, vs. the $18,000 I'm paying now for freshman year. This would take a nice financial burden off of me, and I would be able to organize myself a bit more and get life back on track. Should the forecast-from-home job pull through, I could be doing that and working at Blockbuster, which would at least give me positive earnings during the semester off (I'm currently losing $150-200 per month).
3. Get a job in my major
- Tomorrow, I have my 2nd phone interview with WeatherBug for a field tech position in California. Though this does get me into the field of meteorology, my goal is to forecast as a living... and this isn't forecasting. This could be my "foot in the door" that leads to the better jobs. The company also offers paying for education, so I might be able to get my Masters' as a part-time student while working there. Of course, this would also mean I move out to California, which is completely different than Upstate NY and Raleigh. I'm a pretty adaptable person, but that would still be a decent cultural shock considering the life I've led so far.
Right now I'm leaning strongly towards #2, but I am also liking #3 if the money is right. I would like to get my Masters' degree eventually, but I'd rather do it without destroying my brain in the process.
UPDATE 1
So I've decided to take next semester off, no matter what. There's just no way I'll be able to get good grades and do what I'm doing now.
I had my 2nd phone interview, and it went really well. They seem eager to bring me aboard based by their intonations, but they did not state it as a fact. I have yet to hear back from the HR person, but I won't be expecting an e-mail from them until the end of the day, anyway (i.e. what happened last week after the first interview).
Also, I realized that combining #2 and #3 is impossible, as #2 would take me out of state, and thus ineligible for in-state tuition next fall. I would need to continue to live in Raleigh if I want #2 to work out for me.
