1y ago

Career vs education

TLDR: would you sacrifice on your career / stability for education just for the curiosity?

Sorry if this is long, or does not suit the community.

Long story short I have a quite well background and knowledge on my professional domain. So, I don't feel like I "need" university degree to do my job better. However, I kinda want to challenge myself and put myself into the education scene again. I am quite introverted, but hoping that uni may help me connect with new people and build up new social circles.

However, by pursuing a university degree I am going to risk my current stable career. Also, the reason I was burnt out from all the exams and stuff, so I decided to drop out in the first place a few years ago.

Even thought this may lead to analysis paralysis to me, I would like to know what would others do in this case. Would you focus on career solely, or jump into education anyway - does it worth it really. I guess I am probably missing the social circle the most, and probably that's why I am willing to attend university. But, can't decide if it's worth it or not.

7 comments

I dropped out of college to go be a software engineer. This was before boot camps. At the time it was kind of risky and at first it was hard to get a job but now no one brings it up. I'm glad I didn't have any university debt to pay off so I'm happy with my decision.
- Admittedly it probably was a bit easier back then, i just had the fun of searching for a job after uni, and plenty of companies wont even talk unless you have experience or a degree. Kinda bullshit, because some of the best software engineers I know never went to University.
- Yeah, I’ve done the same. Now I just feel bored, wanting to try something new I guess it’ll pass with time

If it's learning something new that you're after: take classes, whether irl or online, about things that interest you. It's more fun without midterms/exams anyways.
If it's the social circle, maybe move to a more urban area?
- Taking classes is a good idea actually, thanks
  
  Yeah, don't bind yourself to a formal university education in which you have to fulfill requirements and place undue stress on yourself.
  Keep your job, and take whatever classes that interest you.
  If you're in the US: I've enjoyed community college classes more than D1 university classes because the professors have different goals. At community colleges the professors enjoy teaching. At D1 universities many professors are doing research and are required to teach on the side.

It really depends on the university degree. A lot of degrees aren't going to teach you much more than a few years working. The actual learning and research is done post grad.

7 comments