Quitting my comfortable job to go back to Uni...am I crazy?

jarvester

Hi all,
I am in my early 30's and I have a good managerial position within my actual company, I work in construction, being recently relocated so I am effectively on my own working on a new project, can work from home sometimes, have a more than acceptable salary to my standards and I know in the current situation I can consider myself lucky, although I have worked very hard my way up to be where I am.

The problem for me is that I very rarely learn anything new anymore, I know all jobs are lilke that after a while but I am quite bored at them moment. I feel I am too "comfortable" and if I don't do something the company will carry on throwing a few extra bucks into my pocket every year in order to keep me going, and I will find myself regretting it in 10 years time. I have also stopped liking my employers as I used to, and I had clashed with my Directors within the last year or two over a number of things, most of them minor, but it has opened my eyes to see how I really think they are and what they think about their staff.

I have been accepted to study a Masters Degree from September in a different field (Environmental). I have applied for Scholarships but I can't rely on them, so the likely scenario is I will have to invest all my savings in my education. I hope I can start a new career path and start having fun again, and perhaps I will be able to give something back to the environment too.

Am I out of my mind? I thought I had it really clear but I need to give my notice soon and I am a bit scared now. Am I going to graduate from the MSc and have to start all over again from the bottom or will I be able to transfer some of my gained skills in construction and as a manager and opt to a decent position easier? What do you guys think?

Thanks a lot

MrsManda

It may be worth posting on the Student board as there are careers advisors over there. What are your aims in doing your Masters? If it's simply because you feel you need a challenge and want to learn new things have you considered studying with the OU whilst continuing working?
Have you spoken to your employer to see if you can take a sabbatical or cutting your hours so you can do a masters one day a week?

If it's something you really want to do and you can afford it without funding I'd go for it but be aware there is a possibility you'll not get a position as highly paid as you currently are once you graduate.

CashStrappedTeen89

I would like to have this answeared to, although im a bit younger and a little less down on the management chain.

bugbabe1970

I have just finished the 2nd year of a degree course. I asked my employer for college leave, and they agreed. I dropped one shift a week to enable me to attend uni for 2 days. You never know unless you ask!
Good luck

jarvester

I suppose the challenge bit plays an important part, also I am a bit tired of my actual job as it's very tedious once you know the rules. I also think an Environmental career would give me a chance of getting job oportunities overseas, and that is something I am really looking forward to. I guess if things go wrong I could always go back to my actual career as self employed or contractor.
I have not considered asking my employer working less hours as I want to finish my Masters in one year hence I want to tackle it full time (I have been out of touch with books for a while, so I must be focused if I want to succeed), and if I ask I know they will think that I will be leaving sooner or later as the Masters is totally unrelated to what the company does, so I don't think that would work. Being honest I just don't want to work for them anymore, and I think staying for the money alone is not a good decision.

Any feedback from someone who has gone through a similar situation and gone ahead in the past?

gjs6385

Being honest I just don't want to work for them anymore, and I think staying for the money alone is not a good decision.

I think you've already made your decision :-)

Go with your gut instinct, if it goes wrong at least you won't be sat there wondering 'what if', and as you say you could always go self employed doing what you do at the moment anyway without the annoyance of being undermined by your boss!

thewookie

jarvester wrote: »

Any feedback from someone who has gone through a similar situation and gone ahead in the past?

Hey Jarvester,

I am in the 1st year of my degree at 34. Spent 12 years in a job that paid well and to managerial level also. I myself got bored and stuck in a rut and felt that I was just going through the motions. I am enjoying my studies but I am finding it difficult to adjust to being back in education, I am also interested in working overseas and it is one of my goals that resulted in me taking this radical path.

If you really want to do it I say go for it, it is only 1 year for you so may be easier for you. It will be tough but worth it IMHO.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have fun along the way as thats what it's all about!!

Good Luck....

The_Archivist

Hi Jarvester

I agree with GazSharpe101 in that it sounds as though you've already decided to return to Uni and do your Masters. It sounds like you've outgrown the current situation and want to move on.

Several years ago I did my MA but my employers paid for it as it was work-related. Since then it has come in useful but I outgrew the company but had to stay because I have a mortgage, bills, etc so leaving wasn't an option. I decided to stay in the hope that I'd get redundancy and a good payout. Luckily for me that has happened and my patience has paid off.

Looking back, I made the right decisions to stay and bide my time despite the grief. Conversely, I think you have made the right decision by deciding to do your Masters as a step towards overseas working and your future development

Good for you for having the courage to do this. Best of luck with the course!

paulwf

I would be looking at what types of jobs will be available afterwards. Have a good look through the database of https://www.environmentjob.co.uk and anything similar.

You mention wanting to do something good for the environment...a lot of the jobs listed are to do with the waste industry or office admin for a council department or grants facilitator or something equally dull. Be realistic about what you will get out of your masters, you might end up with a dull office job just in a different speciality.

OTOH you might be able to get a fantastically exciting career out of it...but please do some research first.

alb1

I'm currently doing a postgrad course required to become a Solicitor. There are quite a few students who are in their late 20s and either worked from school then decided to go back into education, or who went out into the world of work, hated what they were doing and quickly switched to law. It's quite common for students on my course to have had a job doing something totally unrelated first.

I don't think you're crazy at all. It sounds to me as though you've pretty much decided what you want, but just need to be brave enough to take the next step towards something you really want to do. I think it would be far better for you to switch careers now rather than wait a few more miserable years before eventually changing anyway.

Good luck!

jarvester

Just wanted to let you know that I have handed my notice in last week. I felt very relieved and things were very friendly and smooth. I was even offered to do some hours if I need cash while in my course (don't know if this offer will stay for long but it was nice to hear)

Thank you everybody for your help, I am a bit scared of the unknown but hey, no pain no gain.