The Eternal Debate, Grad School or Work?

[Mmphln]

Ok, I told my boss, my family, and my friends that I would be able to tell them what I'm doing next year on monday (since I knew I would have all the admission decisions in by today). This is my dilemma:

I graduated with a BA two years ago in Toronto in Comn Studies and Film Studies. Due to lack of funds from my loan debt, I had to go back home which is a small city in western Canada. Unfortunately I was not able to find a job in my field, and had to take a job at a decent paying, but soul sucking data entry job. That was when I promised myself that I would go to grad school the next year.

Just as admission deadlines for grad school started, I found a job at a television production house, which has been wonderful. My boss has told me that she wants to train me to go up in the business, eventually to the point of running my own programs. The pay will likely still be low over the next few years (but steady). I still don't like the city I live in though and don't want to pass up a chance to get a MA while I have the chance.

The MA that I want to go into is at the University of London and is a 1 year practical degree on how to become a producer from the ground up, complete with dissertation at the end and a (presumably) unpaid internship. It's in the heart of London and I would love to go there, and I do feel like I would be learning information that would help me in my career. But it costs $40,000 with tuition, residence, and food, which at salaries for starting out in the business, is quite a lot (I thought at least). And I have no guarantee that it will actually lead to me getting a better job.

My other option is that I could just leave this job next year and try to apply for jobs in other cities where I am not guaranteed a better working environment, but will enjoy my spare time more.

My boss has hinted that I could come back to my old position after my MA too...

So, what is your opinion? I am really wanting to go to the MA, but I have the opportunity right now of training personally under an experienced producer who will be paying me for my time which is really tempting, and the job market in this industry is never very steady at the best of times

Edited March 26, 2010 by Mmphln

[oldlady]

You don't need a masters degree to be a successful producer, and you certainly don't need to go into major debt. Learn your craft on the job, and network a lot so you can move up.

[Mmphln]

You don't need a masters degree to be a successful producer, and you certainly don't need to go into major debt. Learn your craft on the job, and network a lot so you can move up.

Thanks! it's a moot question now, I belatedly got a full funding offer from York this morning (three days after I was accepted and was told if I had a funding offer it would have arrived already). So...yeah, I guess I'm going there!

It's so weird, I didn't expect it. I can always train later, I can not afford to pass up a full MA that's for sure

[jlee306]

Thanks! it's a moot question now, I belatedly got a full funding offer from York this morning (three days after I was accepted and was told if I had a funding offer it would have arrived already). So...yeah, I guess I'm going there!

It's so weird, I didn't expect it. I can always train later, I can not afford to pass up a full MA that's for sure

WOW! That's awesome, congrats!!!

[Jae B.]

Thanks! it's a moot question now, I belatedly got a full funding offer from York this morning (three days after I was accepted and was told if I had a funding offer it would have arrived already). So...yeah, I guess I'm going there!

It's so weird, I didn't expect it. I can always train later, I can not afford to pass up a full MA that's for sure

Amazing! Congratulations.