Once again I am second guessing my decision for my Master's program. It is not that I don't think I could or would be good at it, it just seems like such a huge decision and I get nervous because I want to make sure I am making the right one! I am driving myself bonkers the last few weeks and I am wondering if the second guessing is a sign that I am not making the right decision???? Anyone care to join me on the crazy I can't decide train?
Sometimes I ask myself how life changes with/without the decision. Often it's answered with, yes...but not right now. Sometimes it's no. How does this impact your life one way or the other. For one week imagine your life as it is now - without the degree. Then for one week pretend you have it. Sometimes that can help. I've not been up on your process. What was motivating you to consider doing this in the first place?
I too felt the stakes were much higher for a graduate degree than for undergrad. Partly, I suppose, because so many of us on forums like this one say "just get your BS in something, then really do it in grad school." It's sort of like the old Steve Martin sketch about the moonrock needle (a send-up of escalation of commitment in stereo buying. Does anyone else remember how important it was to have a cool stereo?). Even as I await word on my application (I have to remind myself now and then that I may after all not be accepted) I wonder "is this the right program?" It has a significant on-the-job component, and I came to the realization recently that I don't like my job enough to base my hallowed masters degree on it, so that means a job search in time for the practicum...what if I can't find a job that the university will accept? What if I get into the course and find it's too rigorous for a working person? Not rigorous enough to make me happy? What if I find myself wishing I had chosen the #2 program? What if recruiters ask "What is your masters in, exactly?" I calm myself with thoughts of graduate certificates, and of following Dr. Randell's example. Phillip
I have been a passenger and felt the like the conductor at times! Free-will can suck sometimes. Make a list of pros and cons, give the a weight, give them a score, pick the best fit. Have you ever used "Carkhuff’s Decision-Making Model"? It is logical but many of these decisions are not logical. Check this out - http://www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/wsps.htm
My original goal with my undergrad degree was the driving force that I wanted to help people. I went back and fourth on what/how I was going to do that and for a long time considered a Master's in Counseling, which could still be in the plans once we settle down and stop moving. I can picture my life with and without this degree or any other and I know I won't be happy (if I don't get a Master's). Yes my undergrad will allow me to help people but with this Master's program I feel like I can really make a difference in the lives of so many people directly, I can be involved in changing the lives of so many children and adults and I find the thought of that incredibly satisfying. It never has been about money to me as I would rather be happy making no money than unhappy making a boat load! Now having said that my problem arises because I can see myself being happy with a few other degrees (2 really) as well and that is where the problem lies with me. Another problem that I am coming up with is the traveling that is requirred of my husband job, I probably should say moving as we move with his work. Sometimes a job can be super long (we have been in MO for almost 4 years) but mostly they last about a year or year and a half. So knowing that and knowing that for at least the next 3-5 years this will be the case I want to make sure my degree can be somewhat portable. Does this information help?
If you're still thinking about a Counseling degree and it needs to be portable then you need to do your best to insure that whatever program you choose will satisfy licensure laws wherever you live.
That is why I decided to put the counseling on hold until we settled someplace. We have no clue where we are going to end up ,we know it wont be Missouri or Kansas but other than that we have no clue. At this point my husband has a great paying job and its pretty secure and unless I can make enough money to support our family and lifestyle or close to it, he wont be changing jobs anytime soon. Which will mean we will continue to move around. So yes what ever degree I choose must be portable and that is what I am having a problem with honestly. Most of the careers I want require you to build up a clientele and reputation and that will be hard to do if we are moving every year.
So 1. you will be happier with the Master's, i.e. it is something you will do - perhaps the question is whether that is now or later (if you are in your pre-family years, if having children is even a part of your future, do it before you get into diapers). 2. you are not sure which of 3 options to pursue. Do all 3 equally meet your criteria of allowing you to help others? 3. I see a difference between pursuing a degree while you are in a 'mobile' phase (the advantage of distance ed) versus establishing your career while you are mobile. You can get the degree(s) done now; once you settle, you can pursue the career. Seems ideal to me, actually.
1. I have a 3.5 year old and my goal is be able to go to work full time once he is in school. 2. Yes they do to some degree and they are all choices I could live with. The problem becomes just knowing which one is the best fit for me. They each have drawbacks. 3. That is actually the plan is to have the degree done so that if in 2-5 years we decide to settle down I would be able to find a job and provide some of the income my husband would be losing. The issue her really is because we could stop moving in 2 year or 5 so now is the time for me to get the degree done. We are leaving the date open as to when we will stop moving and are playing it by ear to see how our son does with the moving. Once we feel he is not coping or is having problems related to moving we will stop.
You can't make decision? Well, then you should learn from this little girl. :smile: [video=youtube;0rbMHLDY1pA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rbMHLDY1pA[/video]
So I was talking with my husband tonight and he asked me why I didn't go back to the original plan of teaching at a community college (hopefully online) because then it does not interfere with his job. Problem then becomes of what Masters to get for this purpose.........
This is much more easily said than done, unfortunately. While the Master's may qualify you, it may not necessarily lead to opportunities because you will be competing with PhDs in many fields.
If you get a Master's in something you think is in demand instead of something about which you're passionate I can't help but think that your students would notice. -=Steve=-
I agree Steve. I don't think I could ever complete a degree I didn't enjoy, for example I could get never a mathematics degree because I would commit suicide before I finished it anyway....lol The problem lies in that I could enjoy a number of subjects, English, History, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Sociology. I was also considering just getting my Masters in Human Service with a specialization if I am going to go this route off the bat. Then I could hope to find some part time work in the human service field and seek out some online teaching as well. But human service might limit me with jobs.
Very true but there seems to be an abundance of jobs for adjunct's so I would think eventually I could land 1 or 2. This is not something I would try to make enough money to have a full time career out of. Just something that I can feel like I am contributing and enjoying myself in the process.
You're right that there's a lot of demand for adjuncts, the problem is that there's even more supply. If you are moving around year to year then you need to expect that your chances of teaching at community colleges and the like are really low, particularly in the fields of interest you listed. -=Steve=-
I don't think I would seek out face to face teaching but only online work. That way the moving would not affect the teaching in any way. I also considered teaching Reading Literacy but I'm not sure of the demand for that either. Sometimes having the choice to make decisions stinks!
The problem is networking. If you are moving around constantly, it's hard to get in a position to get those adjunct contracts. Most of the adjunct demand at community colleges is for face-to-face classes, though. Online adjuncts are more in need at for-profit colleges, but most of the demand there is in business, etc.
Actually I am not opposed to working at a for-profit as long as it was a stepping stone that could get me where I want to be later on. I'd be curious to hear what subjects you felt would offer better opportunities for work as an adjunct.
