Want to return to further education but feeling guilty over spending the $

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you do it part-time at night?

I did my MBA in the evenings in my early 30's and it was a tough 2.5 years but ultimately worth it. I chose a good local program so I didn't have to quit my job and sell or rent out my house. I do probably make more money than I would have otherwise, and I learned a lot and made some new friends. So I don't regret it at all.

Unfortunately I don't think part time is an option for post grad speech pathology programs. Almost all that I have looked into require full time attendance because it is a professional, clinical track. Part of it is working in a clinic and providing speech therapy and it's a demanding program. I've talked to other SLPs and they all say it's full time. However, there are some online options for the coursework so I think part time work might be possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are in your thirties you say. So you could spend the next 30-40 years doing something you don't particularly like, being limited in your career progression and wishing you had gone back to school. Or you could go back to school. I don't think it's an issue of money. It's a quality of life issue and I have never once in all my years regretted doing my masters in a subject I love.

OP here. Thanks for putting it in perspective. I agree. I'm just afraid to spend the money due to the way my brain has been wired to think after living in poverty. But I know that with those qualifications, I will basically be able to have a job easily and quickly and there are so many options available as far as work settings. My qualifications right now don't make me stand out at all (communications degree).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - and having grown up in poverty as well, there is nothing that gives you more security than a good education. It gives you vastly more choices.

I agree. But I guess having my money neatly tucked away gives me a sense of security as well. I still feel like I'm poor even though I have some money saved and it scares me to spend such a large chunk.

[Anonymous]

How's the long-term job market for speech pathologists vs your current career?

I know it sounds horrible but I'm usually against going back to school unless someone else is paying, or if there is a huge pay out from it. At least in the US because the cost of higher education is astronomical. If we lived elsewhere it'd likely have a different perspective.

[Anonymous]

It's a lot more stable and specialized than the field I'm in now. And my life would be better overall.