#MastersDegree #PursuingPassion #CareerGoals #FinancialDecisions #HigherEducation #PassionOverMoney
Hey there! 🎓 Are you really crazy for pursuing a master’s degree solely for the love of learning without the promise of a higher paycheck? Let’s dive into this fascinating topic together!
### Passion vs. Money: Finding Your Balance
When it comes to making decisions about higher education and your career, the age-old debate between passion and money often comes into play. Some people choose to pursue advanced degrees to fulfill their intellectual curiosity and personal growth, even if it doesn’t directly result in a higher salary. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay!
### Your Personal Journey: Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Each person’s journey is unique, and success can be defined in various ways. While financial stability is essential, so is personal fulfillment and happiness. Sometimes, pursuing a master’s degree in a field you’re passionate about can lead to greater job satisfaction, even if it doesn’t come with a significant bump in pay.
### Real-Life Examples: Stories of Inspiration and Success
Take, for example, the story of Jane Doe, who pursued a master’s in Art History despite knowing that it might not lead to a high-paying job. However, her love for art and culture pushed her to follow her dreams. Today, Jane works in a museum, sharing her passion with others and feeling truly fulfilled in her career.
### Key Takeaways:
1. **Passion Matters**: Following your passion can lead to a more fulfilling career journey.
2. **Learning for the Sake of Learning**: Pursuing knowledge for its own sake is a valid reason to get a master’s degree.
3. **Define Your Own Success**: Don’t let society’s definition of success dictate your choices. Make decisions that align with your values and passions.
In conclusion, getting a master’s degree to not make more money may seem unconventional to some, but if it aligns with your passion and brings you joy, then it’s a decision worth celebrating. Remember, your career is a significant part of your life, so choose a path that resonates with your heart. 🌟🚀
### Keep Dreaming Big and Reaching for the Stars! 🌠
Whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree for the love of learning or to advance your career, always remember that your journey is yours to own. Trust your instincts, follow your passions, and see where they lead you. 🌈#BelieveInYourself #DreamBig
Have you looked up the exact job in your state dept websites and checked that the minimum qualifications require a masters?
If not, you need to check first.
Google, “state you’re in” classifications
Is there not an option to go to another lab that’s not in a hospital? Some of my doctors have in-office labs. Or with labcorp or quest or another company. Or some other job that’s adjacent but works with the education and experience you have. Hell maybe the state health department has its own lab.
That seems more reasonable to me because 1) you don’t have to wait for however long the masters program is and 2) go into debt for no more earning power.
You generally don’t need a master’s for entry-level positions, even in public health; plus, many state governments have tuition reimbursement benefits that you could take advantage of if you ultimately want to pursue the MPH. I’d look at any and all entry-level positions in your area and try to get your foot in the door that way, even if it’s an admin assistant or project coordinator role. Having worked in a lab or in clinical care will look good on your resume for a public health job, they love people with real-world experience. Then ask your manager what your options are for developing the skills needed for a higher-level role one day.
Why not apply to the state health department with your current degree. If you already have the experience in working for a hospital lab, then just sell yourself in the interview (as long as you’re already knowledgeable with whatever you’re applying for) I’ve had colleagues who had less and just bullshit their way into County or State health department. It’s an entry job, just do it.
Try a different company, it might not be the norm.
My last company was had me working every other weekend, current company does not
This is a finance sub so, yes… lifestyle and enjoyment wise maybe, it’s up to you.
I’m in the epi field and it’s got the stability and chill job you’re hoping for. State jobs pay in the $60k range but you could consider academia roles which typically pay $10-20k more than state jobs. Look for local listings for things like research managers/coordinators/associates to see what hiring looks like in your area. As a bonus, some of those roles only require a bachelor’s degree to get your foot in the door and are very supportive of people who want to pursue further education in terms of working schedules around classes and what not.
There is a value to work life balance and job satisfaction how much it’s worth is up to you.
I’m a nurse, if I go back I plan to make my hospital pay for it.
Some health departments have educational benefits… so if you get in entry level then you may be able to work your way up without immediately sinking all that money and time into the Masters
I think a lot of the advice you see here already is fair, but I thought I would share my two cents given my background: I was a software engineer making 105k, quit my job & did a year of public service, got an MPH, and now work as a data analyst making around 85k. I took out 24k in debt for school.
Here are some things I would think about if I were you:
* The MPH is a weird degree with a lot of variation in quality of curriculum, cost, and opportunities afforded to you by program. I would encourage you to really look at programs and see whether there are faculty working there that are interesting to you and whether the program is generally well regarded. What supports are there to help you find an internship or job? 2 years is short amount of time, and you spend most of the first year in very introductory classes.
* I’d encourage you to talk to people who work as epidemiologists or whatever other jobs you’re looking at and decide whether they sound appealing to you, if you haven’t.
* Are there other jobs you have looked at that you think you might be interested in? Have you tried applying to those?
* Finally, there are a lot of certificates, programs, degrees, and entry level jobs that you could do that might let you move fields other than an MPH. The MPH is a broad degree, not a specific one, in that there’s 5 sub-disciplines of an MPH that cover stats, biology, psychology, management, environmental science, etc. Consider other programs and funding options for those programs before you choose an MPH.
* Do you have other debts or student loans? Is your rent affordable? Will you have to move for school?
I do not regret my degree or my path, but I found it to be 1) unfocused and 2) not interesting honestly. I also don’t think staying in a job you hate is worth it.
The only way I’m doing masters is if it has a good ROI or if my employer pays for it
That’s healthcare. You generally work weekends and holidays. That being said, you also generally don’t need a masters to work in Public Health, especially with experience. It might make your chances of getting hired better, but you could very well get hired now
Edit: I read one of your comments further down. If your employer pays for your tuition I would look into that. No reason to go into debt and make less money as well.
How sure are you that this job isn’t going to end up like the last? Do you talk to people who work these jobs? Have you job shadowed anyone? Why do you think this job will be better?
You need to expand your job search. You have focused on a single, probably the most expensive, opportunity to solve your employment issue.
What you should do is get your resume done, then pay someone to fix it so it’s not a specific to one single job or career. Then put it on Linkedin. In a week you’ll have multiple head hunters asking to help you find a job with one of the employers they represent.
The present unemployment rate is about 3%, which means companies need help of all kinds. There is a job out there that you know nothing about, that will fix the issues you’re presently having using the existing degree/work experience you have. Maybe the job will offer tuition reimbursement and allow you to go to school if you’d like as well.
My guess is the above will cost you a couple hundred bucks at most, and in 6 months you’ll have an offer from someone, doing something you never expected. Be open to every offer and interview as many times as you get the chance.
At very minimum, you need to be looking at more than a single really expensive option.
You sound American. You’re likely qualified for a job as an examiner at the USPTO. You should look into it. High salary, fully remote, 5% retirement match, great federal pension, good health and everything insurance, and your schedule is up to you.
It’s interesting to see that you are a fellow MLS too. I’m getting a masters in the near future as well, specifically MHA/MBA. Main reason being to get higher roles that pay more and don’t have weekend/holiday commitments.
Hi. Also a fellow MLS! I am completing my MS in Biomedical Informatics and the hospital paid for it nearly in full. I worked full time and it took me 3 years to complete.
Definitely check out your hospital’s tuition reimbursement program and see what you can out of it.
take advantage of your hospital’s tuition reimbursement program, get your MBA or MHA, Masters in public health could be good but not ideal in every situation.
I’m an MLS in the same boat, just started a paid cybersecurity internship program while I continue to work nights in the lab.
Masters degree, 6 year of school, massive debt, for a 60k job…. I can’t
You work for a hospital. Does your hospital provide any education benefits? A lot do. Maybe you could switch to one of those or maybe even one affiliated with a school
You could also move into private sector and get a masters paid for, that way, albeit might not get a MPH
Lastly, have you considered online universities? It might not be that expensive or take that long to get a masters degree. WGU is recommended as an affordable option for CS. They might have a MPH program
Getting an MPH is fine, getting an MPH to work for $60k a year can be tough. Heavily depends on the state though.
Are there any pharma companies where you are located? They will typically hire people to do epi like work. Work life balance is very good, no weekends or evening or crazy stuff like that. Pay is multiples (definitely $100k+)
I suppose it could be worse, you could go into debt for a career that makes substantially less, is declining in demand everywhere with a generally poor outlook, and even being near the top of your field is right about six figures. Social services would be a more sustainable career that oftentimes requires masters degrees but at least everyone knows that it makes little money.
Hmm actually same. I’ve wanted to get a MPH and have been talking myself in/out of it for years because there likely wouldn’t be much of a financial benefit.
I think I’ve finally talked myself into it by rationalizing that I’ll work during/take as few classes at a time as I can/use my company’s tuition reimbursement as much as possible.
Apply without the degree anyways you never know
There are so many jobs with good hours making way more than $60k. Getting in debt to fund a degree so you can make less – I would spend more time meditating on the subject.
At one point in my life I was a member of a country club and played a lot of golf. My monthly bill was around $1000 on a slow month.
I quit the club and went to grad school for literature and basically swapped entertainment dollars. I enjoyed almost every minute of the reading, discussions, research, and writing.
So no, I don’t think you’re crazy.
Get a state job for less pay now that includes tuition assistance and work your way up while you get your degree.
Slightly crazy. Depends on your break even point for the monetary piece (which is likely certainly longer than you think when you are going into debt to make less for some years)
But your health and free time has value to you that you cant put a price on either.
I did this and I regret it so bad, it was a waste of money and now I’m like five times more debt than I was before getting the degree. Not worth it!!!!!
How is a medical lab scientist different than a medical lab technologist? Just curious, no shade.
Out your bane in the pit and make them say no. You got education and experience, what do you have to lose?
This is very common. You are insane. It sounds like thankfully you’re not the type to now ask us to pay off the student loans
Masters degree most times is for ego boost. That’s why you see people get masters in Nursing degrees but go back to bedside patients’ care bc they can earn more with overtime inclusive. Go figure!
I’m a clinical laboratory scientist (California equivalent) that got out of the hospital laboratory a few years into my career. Have you considered going into reference laboratories instead? Yes the work can still be tedious, but that’s just the nature of work. If you’re open to pivoting a bit more, consider working in R&D or in an LIS role, which are usually Monday – Friday 9-5 roles. I can confidently say they were worlds apart, and I spent the majority of my time in R&D overseeing the transition from research to clinical assays for molecular diagnostics. It’s heavy on compliance, requires good management skills, and working on an extended project with a deadline, which is pretty different from day-to-day bench work. My former coworker who works in an LIS role has said that the work is also heavy on troubleshooting and only about 5% of what we learn in school is applied.
From the perspective of the MPH route, I honestly can’t recommend it. My closest friend has an MPH and between the debt and struggling to find a reasonable career making more than 70k (CLS here start at about 90-100k), it didn’t seem worth it, in my opinion. Is she happy? Hard to say. She’s admitted that after a few years of working below what she thinks she’s worth in a career path that she studied for, she’s willing to move to a different career for the money.
Feel free to ask me any more questions if you’d like to know more.