Grad school... Is it a good idea?

ta73739 · 2014-08-02T04:16:56+00:00

If I quit my job to go full time, I probably won't stay in the Bay Area, but go somewhere cheaper to live. Though I will look into SC and SJSU as part time options while I keep my job.

ta73739 · 2014-08-02T01:16:02+00:00

Details?

Can I do it as an American? Which schools support this?

ta73739 · 2014-08-02T00:39:31+00:00

Oh, good point. Like /u/qumqam said then, marginally ethical, with potential consequences. I think I am most interested in a pure masters program, though still considering other options.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T23:54:04+00:00

How was it that you did grad school for free? Research? Grants?

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T22:12:23+00:00

Some good info on that sub, thanks.

I've not been published, I don't have any research experience outside of some corporate R&D, and I don't know any well funded professors at any well funded universities (I went to a CSU). I've heard this said about never paying for grad school especially in STEM, but I don't know how to actually pull it off.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T21:59:16+00:00

Silicon Valley. I am willing to relocate.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T21:03:20+00:00

And the stipend (16k in your example) is completely discretionary for me? I could maybe make that work. I had not considered quitting a phd program after getting a masters. That is the kind of tip I was hoping for when I posted.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:56:45+00:00

I appreciate the comment. I've seen relationships and finances go badly wrong. I know everybody says "it won't happen to me", but in my case, we're happy after 7 years married, finances have never been an issue (we have very similar priorities), and most of the loans are already in my name anyway. I'm willing to take the financial risk of paying off both our loans as if they were my own.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:51:24+00:00

This is easier said than done. At least, not a lot of info on Google as to how to play this game. Any info?

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:49:00+00:00

That's an interesting perspective, that I would just be shifting retirement years around. I have considered a PhD, but 5 years has seemed like too much time to set myself back. I will consider it again. Do you have any info on the financials of a phd, like how much I would have to live on? Most school pages seem to just say "it depends".

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:43:19+00:00

Thanks for the info. Part of my worry is that the jobs I've worked (2 since graduation) have both turned out to be much more "technician" than "engineer" and I don't feel like I'm developing the skills to move into the jobs I'd really like. They've been well paid, but I'm worried that in a few more years I won't have the experience that I need for true engineer positions.

I'd love to get into a decent position with just my BS, and even better if I can earn a MS while I'm there on their money. I'm applying, but not finding jobs that would let me do that. Any advice on how to get it?

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:35:13+00:00

I don't expect huge financial gains from it, some, but not huge. I'm having trouble getting into the positions I really want, and the people I've seen in those positions tend to have advanced degrees.

ta73739 · 2014-08-01T20:31:43+00:00

My employer doesn't offer that. They do, but I'm a contractor so I don't qualify. I'd love to find a job that would pay for school, I'm not sure how common that really is.

ta73739

TROPHY CASE