Grad School ...
August 02, 2004
So, I have this great opportunity to attend Robert Morris University's Master's in Engineering Management program this fall.
I'm starting to have second thoughts.
Pro: The program, from my uderstanding, is a lot like an MBA for Engineers.
Con: I would be the youngest in the class, as if I am not already one of the youngest full-time employees at my company.
Pro: The program is being offered after hours in Johnstown, meaning I don't have to make the drive from Greensburg to Johnstown to Pittsburgh then back to Johnstown.
Con: I don't know if I am prepared to pay for it this fall. I do have a savings building up and working at Clear Waterz is helping me to pay for everything, but I just don't have as much saved/paid off as I would have liked to have.
Pro: The company will pay for it after the first semester, because I will have the first 6 months in.
Con: It is uncertain if I can join the program in January because I would be a semester behind everyone else in the program. Initially it was brought across as if it was a one-track program, meaning if you miss the boat, then you have to wait until it comes around again .... 2 years?
Pro: I've already been accepted to RMU.
Con: I need to write a purpose letter to get into the Master's program.
I could use some advise. My time is running out so I need to make some big time decisions soon!
Posted by Brian McCollum at August 2, 2004 03:45 PM
| TrackBack
Comments
Definitely go for it. I think 6 months of financial weirdness will be made up for with the benefits of the program. Good luck, and let me know if I can help in any way with the letter. :-)
Posted by: Donna at August 2, 2004 03:51 PM
I know I'm a little younger than you, and it might seem odd to hear advice on the issue from someone my age, but Brian: do it. The pros that you listed, in my opinion, out weigh the cons by far. Donna brings up a good point that the adjustment time will be worth it in the end--and waiting 2 years could really be detrimental to even -going- to grad school, if you ask me.
When opportunity knocks... ;^)
Posted by: Karissa at August 3, 2004 06:00 PM
Thank you Karissa and Donna for your words of encouragement. And, no Karissa, it is not odd to hear advice from someone younger, especially you. Regardless of age, your advice is always good and I will always take it to heart.
I have been looking into it further and the woman who is coordinating the program at CTC thinks that I will be able to start in January if I would like.
Posted by: Brian at August 6, 2004 01:11 PM
Brian - you would kick yourself if you did not take the opportunity now. As for being a youngster in the program, that isn't bad..I am a youngster in the MBA program and it doesn't even seem like it..you should be able to start in Jan, you just would have to take some classes out of order..hope I helped as a fellow grad school student
Posted by: Carolyn at August 14, 2004 07:58 PM
Post a comment
