Big decision to make.... need input.

[Yurka]

Alright, so I just got accepted into grad school at Carnegie Mellon (a damn good school) and I have to notify them whether I plan to attend or not by April 15th. I've been interning for months at a place I'm very happy with, and they've hinted that they would be hiring "soon". The program I got into requires me to move across the country for the 2nd year, where upon graduation, the majority of students gain full-time positions in California.

It's my goal to get a job at the current place I'm interning at and I believe I'm very close to getting it, however my Father thinks "it would be the biggest mistake of your life passing up a degree from Carnegie Mellon", to which I see his point. My inner-debate is, if I have the opportunity to get my "dream" job now, without needing a grad degree, do I need to get the degree?

So, the decision is, go get a grad degree from a fantastic institution, move to the west coast and essentially start-over, or stay where I'm at and bank on getting my "dream" job (however nothing is written in stone on the job front)....oh yeah and throw in a girlfriend of 5 years who lives on the east coast who I'm very happy with.

Any input would be helpful.

 

[Prison Mike]

Congrats on getting into Carnegie Mellon. Personally, I agree with your father and think you should go to grad school.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Yurk, I almost stopped reading your post as soon as I saw the words "Carnegie Mellon." That's how big a deal this is.

At the end of the day, this is your decision. But think about it this way: in 2-3 years time, would the job you're looking for still exist, not necessarily at the same firm, but at in general? Yes, maybe, probably. Flip side, in 2-3 years time, do think you'd be in a position to go back to CM to get a Master's? Maybe, but maybe not.

BTW, you won't necessarily be "starting over" if you go to CM. First of all, if the firm you're with does hire, and you would have otherwise been hired, make sure everyone who's important knows that it was a painful decision for you, but that you're taking the road towards a (MBA?) degree at Carnegie effin' Mellon(!). Then be sure to keep in contact with both the firm and the important people you met there; that is going to be the basis of your professional network when you do graduate.

 

[Spider-Who?]

I've been interning for months at a place I'm very happy with, and they've hinted that they would be hiring "soon".

Yes, they've hinted at hiring soon. But unless you are sitting there signing a salary agreement, they might as well be hinting at sending you to the moon. When I first graduated college, I interned at several different places. Nearly all of them "hinted" at hiring new employees in the near future. It either never came about, or something better came about for them.

Ever hear the expression "best laid plans of mice and men"?

The program I got into requires me to move across the country for the 2nd year, where upon graduation, the majority of students gain full-time positions in California.

So you can stay where you are and attend school for the first year? What about the 3rd and 4th? Is working in California something you'd want to do?

My inner-debate is, if I have the opportunity to get my "dream" job now, without needing a grad degree, do I need to get the degree?

I'm assuming you're in your late teens/early 20s? While you might look at this possible position as a dream job, a few years down the line, that will change; the job will either loose it's luster, or you'll learn of something even better, that you won't be able to get because you don't have a degree.

So, the decision is, go get a grad degree from a fantastic institution, move to the west coast and essentially start-over, or stay where I'm at and bank on getting my "dream" job (however nothing is written in stone on the job front)

You're looking at the decision wrong. Look at it this way:

Option A) Go to a damn good college that prepares you for the future and will help you find nearly any job you'd ever want for the rest of your life.

Option B) Don't go to college and don't secure success for your future on the hope that you might get hired at a job you currently like.

If you choose option B, what happens if they don't hire you, or if they do, you loose that job in a few years? You will have lost everything. Sure, you might have some experience, but without that beautiful degree from CM, you'll be lucky to get another job of that caliber afterwards. You're pretty much shooting yourself in the foot.

This is a very important decision here. This is one of those times where looking to the future is much more important than looking to the present. I think the answer is extremely clear. But only you can make the choice, ultimately.

....oh yeah and throw in a girlfriend of 5 years who lives on the east coast who I'm very happy with.

Yes, that can muddle up your ability to make a good decision. However, this too is a matter of looking at the present versus looking towards the future. If she loves you, then she would support your decision to go to such a good school. You'd only be in California for 1-3 years; much less then the time you two have been together. If she tells you to stay here, well...I'm sorry but she'd be extremely selfish and short-sighted.

Long distance relationships can and are hard, but that is no excuse to throw away your entire future. Who knows, maybe when she visits you in California, she'll fall in love with the place and want to move out there? And there's nothing really keeping you from finding a post-college job back on the east coast.

The finer points make this not an easy choice to make, I get that. But its the finer points that really don't matter if you can be honest with yourself and look at things pragmatically.

 

[jonathancrane]

First, I have to say, congratulations on having CMU open the proverbial door. Speaking from my unique perspective - of having applied to graduate school (and am waiting to hear back) - I have to agree with the others and your father.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Congrats. I've talked to my professors and they said a graduate degree is the best value compared to undergrad and a PhD. You'll have a much easier time getting a job you want with one, especially if you went to Carnegie Mellon. You can still get your dream job or one elsewhere with your master's degree.

 

[Anita18]

CMU is fantastic! Such a great school! Congrats!

I think the best avenue would be to keep good connections at the company you're interning at. If they really like you, they'll support you 100% in this. You can come back with more abilities AND a kickass degree to work for them if the opportunity came along. But having a degree at CMU over a maybe-paid-position should be a no-brainer!

A degree from a great school is one thing, but the CONNECTIONS from going to a great school is quite another! In fact, that's probably the only reason why people should think about going to grad school in the first place. Well, unless you want to be a doctor or lawyer where you really would HAVE to have the degree. The connections you'll make at CMU will definitely overshadow any connections you might make as a freshly-hired intern.

The only thing that might make me pause if I were in the same position as you would be money. Are you getting a scholarship? How do you plan on funding your schooling?

 

[Vengeance of Bane]

Go to grad school! I've been in a similar situation as you, and I chose the job instead of education, and I have regretted it ever since. I'd did however go back to school later, but if I could go back, I would have chosen to go to school.

 

[Duke]

I'd definitely go to Carnegie Mellon.

 

[Yurka]

Thanks everyone! The responses help

Yes, they've hinted at hiring soon. But unless you are sitting there signing a salary agreement, they might as well be hinting at sending you to the moon. When I first graduated college, I interned at several different places. Nearly all of them "hinted" at hiring new employees in the near future. It either never came about, or something better came about for them.

Ever hear the expression "best laid plans of mice and men"?

Exactly, and that's where my dilemma lies. It's been heavily implied that I'll be offered a job, but in any other circumstance I would choose school immediately, it's just that this is my dream job.

So you can stay where you are and attend school for the first year? What about the 3rd and 4th? Is working in California something you'd want to do?

It's a two-year program. I would prefer to stay on the east coast at this point, but I'm open to change.

I'm assuming you're in your late teens/early 20s? While you might look at this possible position as a dream job, a few years down the line, that will change; the job will either loose it's luster, or you'll learn of something even better, that you won't be able to get because you don't have a degree.

That's what I keep thinking, and I'm 23.

You're looking at the decision wrong. Look at it this way:

Option A) Go to a damn good college that prepares you for the future and will help you find nearly any job you'd ever want for the rest of your life.

Option B) Don't go to college and don't secure success for your future on the hope that you might get hired at a job you currently like.

If you choose option B, what happens if they don't hire you, or if they do, you loose that job in a few years? You will have lost everything. Sure, you might have some experience, but without that beautiful degree from CM, you'll be lucky to get another job of that caliber afterwards. You're pretty much shooting yourself in the foot.

This is a very important decision here. This is one of those times where looking to the future is much more important than looking to the present. I think the answer is extremely clear. But only you can make the choice, ultimately.

That's what really worries me. I already have a college degree from another great school, but if I lose that hypothetical job I'll basically have nothing. My Dad keeps reminding me of that.

Yes, that can muddle up your ability to make a good decision. However, this too is a matter of looking at the present versus looking towards the future. If she loves you, then she would support your decision to go to such a good school. You'd only be in California for 1-3 years; much less then the time you two have been together. If she tells you to stay here, well...I'm sorry but she'd be extremely selfish and short-sighted.

Long distance relationships can and are hard, but that is no excuse to throw away your entire future. Who knows, maybe when she visits you in California, she'll fall in love with the place and want to move out there? And there's nothing really keeping you from finding a post-college job back on the east coast.

She's great, she understands what it could lead to, is completely supportive, and is willing to relocate with me if need be. We've successfully done the long-distance thing in the past, all is good on that front now I'm happy to say

The finer points make this not an easy choice to make, I get that. But its the finer points that really don't matter if you can be honest with yourself and look at things pragmatically.

Definitely agree with you. It's just a really unique decision for me, I haven't had to make one like it ever before. I really want to think every possible option or outcome through.

CMU is fantastic! Such a great school! Congrats!

t:

I think the best avenue would be to keep good connections at the company you're interning at. If they really like you, they'll support you 100% in this. You can come back with more abilities AND a kickass degree to work for them if the opportunity came along. But having a degree at CMU over a maybe-paid-position should be a no-brainer!

A degree from a great school is one thing, but the CONNECTIONS from going to a great school is quite another! In fact, that's probably the only reason why people should think about going to grad school in the first place. Well, unless you want to be a doctor or lawyer where you really would HAVE to have the degree. The connections you'll make at CMU will definitely overshadow any connections you might make as a freshly-hired intern.

Thanks Anita, good points.

The only thing that might make me pause if I were in the same position as you would be money. Are you getting a scholarship? How do you plan on funding your schooling?

Yup, I'm getting a big scholarship (another reason this decision is difficult), and my mother recently passed away and I'll put forth most of the money I got from her towards school. They (CMU) doesn't encourage part-time jobs, as the course-load and hours don't leave much time if any for a job.


Thanks again for the input everyone it's helping

 

[Prison Mike]

Wait...you're getting a scholarship to go to CMU? Why are you even thinking about this. Just go!

What would you be going to grad school for, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Anita18]

Wait...you're getting a scholarship to go to CMU? Why are you even thinking about this. Just go!

What would you be going to grad school for, if you don't mind me asking?

Seriously.

Yurka, the job at your dream company will still be there, as long as you make an appreciative exit. You don't get money to go to CMU every day!

 

[Anita18]

Yup, I'm getting a big scholarship (another reason this decision is difficult), and my mother recently passed away and I'll put forth most of the money I got from her towards school. They (CMU) doesn't encourage part-time jobs, as the course-load and hours don't leave much time if any for a job.

Awww, I'm really sorry to hear about your mom Yurka.

She'd be super-proud of you for having been accepted to CMU and planning to use your inheritance toward schooling.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Go to Carnegie Mellon. End thread.

 

[SuperFerret]

I've never heard of this school, but this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take it, part ways with your "dream" job amicably (if they really like you for it and want you, they'll understand and support you in that decision), and if you still believe it's your dream job when you're done (and more prepared for it), go after it.

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

If I were you, I'd talk to your manager and explain your situation. If he hires you, then you have your ''dream job'', but make sure it's secure.

 

[Yurka]

Wait...you're getting a scholarship to go to CMU? Why are you even thinking about this. Just go!

What would you be going to grad school for, if you don't mind me asking?

Lol. It's a Masters in Entertainment Industry Management. 1 year in Pittsburgh, 1 in LA. It's the only program like it in the country.

Seriously.

Yurka, the job at your dream company will still be there, as long as you make an appreciative exit. You don't get money to go to CMU every day!

I know, it seems like a ridiculously easy decision at face-value, but too many other factors are involved, it's just complicated.

Awww, I'm really sorry to hear about your mom Yurka.

She'd be super-proud of you for having been accepted to CMU and planning to use your inheritance toward schooling.

Thanks Anita, she would.

I've never heard of this school, but this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take it, part ways with your "dream" job amicably (if they really like you for it and want you, they'll understand and support you in that decision), and if you still believe it's your dream job when you're done (and more prepared for it), go after it.

That's what I'm leaning towards right now.

If I were you, I'd talk to your manager and explain your situation. If he hires you, then you have your ''dream job'', but make sure it's secure.

That was intially my plan, and still sounds appealing to me.

Bah. I'm gonna drink heavily and celebrate tomorrow for Paddy's day, and try to put to in the back of my mind for a couple days. Thanks again everyone for the input, it's much appreciated.