As the title suggests, I'm not sure if i should go back to school to finish my Town Planning Masters Degree. Heres's the rub:
I started the course in September 2015, but, long story short, I foolishly slumped into a very lazy lifestyle, skipping lectures and smoking a lot of weed. During this time, I somehow managed to land a graduate job in my field.
As I had missed so much course material, I met with my supervisor who told me that I could continue the course, but on a part-time basis, as I was about to start at my new job. I then spoke to my future boss, who was fine with the arrangement. So, in September last year, I commenced work whilst studying part time on the side, with the agreement that I would go full time as soon as I completed the degree (expected September 2017).
During this time, I discovered that I don't really have a "passion" for this subject. So, I researched other opportunities and decided to embark on an online copywriting course on the side. I continued to study for my university course on the basis that I needed financial stability, and there were no guarantees that the copywriting would take off.
However, just last week I found out that I have failed the degree, due to failing a module. Consequently, I will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, due to completing a third of the course. If I wanted to continue the course, I would have to undertake it at a different university, although I would only have to study two-thirds of the course.
I decided to speak to my boss at work to see what options I have. My boss told me that whilst I'm "very good" at my job, my contract states that I need to have the Masters Degree. This has resulted in my employer agreeing to keep me on till September 2017, when my contract will be terminated, due to failing to attain the Masters Degree.
I am now unsure as to what to do. I had to take out a loan to fund this degree, and am currently having to pay off £200 (~$250) per month (the debt totals over £10k/$12,500). I therefore need some financial stability, otherwise I will default on the loan. I told my mum about this (I still live at home), and she is hellbent on the idea that I should return to school to finish the degree off. She is even offering to pay the new course fees for me (which, whilst being very kind of her, pissed me off - why did she allow me to apply for a loan if she already had the funds to help me?!). I, however, am really keen to just leave the house. I am almost 24 and am the only one of my friends still living at home. My goal is to move to London as soon as possible, but my debts are holding me back.
Therefore, the way I see it, I have the following options:
1) Go back to school in September and finish the degree, and then look for a new job in Town Planning - Potential starting salary for the top firms is £28k (~$35,000). I have been told that I'm very good at my job, despite having little passion for it. I would focus on the copywriting or a part-time job on the side. This would also give me the option to study in London, which is ultimately where I want to be. However, the thought that I would be 25 and just finishing school depresses me. I feel like i should be trying to make as much money as possible at this stage in my life, not going back to school. Also, despite it being offered to me, I feel bad taking my mum's money.
2) Immediately start looking for a new job, but commencing in September in London. I would probably be on a salary lower than if I go back to school, but at least I'd be out of the house and where I want to be. Also, if I'm not that passionate about the course, why should I put myself through another year of study? I would undertake copywriting on the side.
In conjunction with the above, I'm not sure what would be the best strategy to pay off my debts quickly. If I focus on the copywriting, it may take me a while to find clients, but the pay off would eventually be decent (providing I am successful). Whereas, If i worked part-time on the weekends, although I'd be earning a secure income, the amount being earned would not amount to much.
Given the information provided, what do you guys think are the best options with regards to my career and debt? Ultimately, I want to be a copywriter, but I have to be realistic and acknowledge that it will take me a while to start earning enough money to live on.
I started the course in September 2015, but, long story short, I foolishly slumped into a very lazy lifestyle, skipping lectures and smoking a lot of weed. During this time, I somehow managed to land a graduate job in my field.
As I had missed so much course material, I met with my supervisor who told me that I could continue the course, but on a part-time basis, as I was about to start at my new job. I then spoke to my future boss, who was fine with the arrangement. So, in September last year, I commenced work whilst studying part time on the side, with the agreement that I would go full time as soon as I completed the degree (expected September 2017).
During this time, I discovered that I don't really have a "passion" for this subject. So, I researched other opportunities and decided to embark on an online copywriting course on the side. I continued to study for my university course on the basis that I needed financial stability, and there were no guarantees that the copywriting would take off.
However, just last week I found out that I have failed the degree, due to failing a module. Consequently, I will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, due to completing a third of the course. If I wanted to continue the course, I would have to undertake it at a different university, although I would only have to study two-thirds of the course.
I decided to speak to my boss at work to see what options I have. My boss told me that whilst I'm "very good" at my job, my contract states that I need to have the Masters Degree. This has resulted in my employer agreeing to keep me on till September 2017, when my contract will be terminated, due to failing to attain the Masters Degree.
I am now unsure as to what to do. I had to take out a loan to fund this degree, and am currently having to pay off £200 (~$250) per month (the debt totals over £10k/$12,500). I therefore need some financial stability, otherwise I will default on the loan. I told my mum about this (I still live at home), and she is hellbent on the idea that I should return to school to finish the degree off. She is even offering to pay the new course fees for me (which, whilst being very kind of her, pissed me off - why did she allow me to apply for a loan if she already had the funds to help me?!). I, however, am really keen to just leave the house. I am almost 24 and am the only one of my friends still living at home. My goal is to move to London as soon as possible, but my debts are holding me back.
Therefore, the way I see it, I have the following options:
1) Go back to school in September and finish the degree, and then look for a new job in Town Planning - Potential starting salary for the top firms is £28k (~$35,000). I have been told that I'm very good at my job, despite having little passion for it. I would focus on the copywriting or a part-time job on the side. This would also give me the option to study in London, which is ultimately where I want to be. However, the thought that I would be 25 and just finishing school depresses me. I feel like i should be trying to make as much money as possible at this stage in my life, not going back to school. Also, despite it being offered to me, I feel bad taking my mum's money.
2) Immediately start looking for a new job, but commencing in September in London. I would probably be on a salary lower than if I go back to school, but at least I'd be out of the house and where I want to be. Also, if I'm not that passionate about the course, why should I put myself through another year of study? I would undertake copywriting on the side.
In conjunction with the above, I'm not sure what would be the best strategy to pay off my debts quickly. If I focus on the copywriting, it may take me a while to find clients, but the pay off would eventually be decent (providing I am successful). Whereas, If i worked part-time on the weekends, although I'd be earning a secure income, the amount being earned would not amount to much.
Given the information provided, what do you guys think are the best options with regards to my career and debt? Ultimately, I want to be a copywriter, but I have to be realistic and acknowledge that it will take me a while to start earning enough money to live on.