full image - Repost: Will dropping out ruin my life, or save it? (from Reddit.com, Will dropping out ruin my life, or save it?)
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Hi, Reddit. I’m in a very expensive pickle.I’m in a private master’s program for a field I’ve discovered I don’t really enjoy (social work), but I’m worried that because of my spotty work history, if I drop out now, I’ll ruin my best chance at landing a successful career down the road. I drifted hardcore in my twenties - never stayed in a position for more than a year - and this degree was supposed to wrap it all together in a nice little human services bow. Which it does! Which would be great! If I actually wanted to stay in this line of work! (I do not). But if I drop out at this point, it’s like I become a neon sign shouting HELLO! I’M SUPER LOST AND NONCOMMITTAL! I HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS! to every potential employer. And then, I don’t even know if I could get hired somewhere decent because of the employment gaps and suboptimal resume.So, now I have to decide…do I stick with it for one more year - and tens of thousands of dollars - to get the degree, or do I drop out? For context, I want to work in the arts, but I haven’t figured out in what capacity yet. I love books and writing, and I thrive in creative work and juicy, meaningful conversations about art and beauty and emotion. Possibly, an MSW could help me break into arts administration or non-profit leadership in the arts, but I don’t even know that that’s “creative enough” for me. If I had my preference, I would be a YA fiction writer and host literary events and run a little cafe and bookshop. But that’s a romantic fantasy, obviously. The reality is - at this moment, I’m entering my third decade without much to show for it. I don’t want to keep making these big mistakes.—-Pros of finishing—--I’ll have an advanced degree, which could up future pay grades and make me look more competitive wherever I go next -Makes my resume look cohesive and I seem much more stable to employers -My internship will be macro focused and will give me experience in administration + potentially some good contacts for job prospects/references -Might be able to leverage the degree to enter more areas of work I can’t access as easily now (arts admin, health writing, etc).-Gives me an alumni network to tap into-Provides a very stable fall-back career for the future (mental health field has huge need - in 15 years, my arts job could be eliminated or pay too low to survive)—-Cons of finishing—--VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE. I am ridiculously lucky to have just enough family support that I didn’t take out loans, but if I had to go back for an arts degree next, I would.-Low-paying field, especially since I don’t really want to do therapy-Not connected to the arts, so may not help me that much with bulking up my resume for a career change -Prevents me from doing something else this year and takes up my focus; I could still do some part-time work, but not a full-time commitment So, that’s it! I’m trying to decide what makes the most sense and honestly just can’t tell. My family wants me to finish, but I don’t know that it’s the right call for how expensive this is, especially since I might need a different advanced degree for an art profession. Thanks for your thoughts and any advice you may have!!
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