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Not really happy in my job.
But, discouraged on the job-hunting front. Given my gender, my unusual career path, the fact that it's so hard to accomplish anything resume-worthy when things are such a mess at my current job, and my general ineptitude at talking to people, I think that for me, finding the right job hinges on getting the M.S.C.S. degree. Thus, I've been focusing on my coursework, rather than job-seeking.
Which leads to the question: why not quit the current job, and go full-time on the degree program? The more classes I take at a time, the sooner I finish. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can, perhaps, find a job I'm happy in.
So I did the math, which I will share here, because it's so astonishing. I had to check my work several times over because the result is just so unbelievable.
Simplifying assumptions: This is assuming I am taking 7 more courses, all at the 600+ level. And assuming that if I were to go full-time, I would be able to find 3 or 4 classes I want to take in one semester, and all the remaining courses I would need for the degree the next semester, with no show-stopping schedule conflicts. Also neglecting various fees that full-time students have to pay. Ignoring inflation.
Part-time tuition per credit: $940
Part-time tuition per course: $3,760
7 courses at part-time rate: $26,320
Full-time tuition per semester: $58,560
Semesters required to take 7 courses: ceil(7/4) = 2
2 semesters full-time: $117,120
Cost difference: $90,800
That's... astonishing.
I could perhaps finish the degree a year or two sooner if I were to quit now and focus on finishing it as fast as possible. However, $90K is enough for me to live on for a couple of years. To make that make any sense is a stretch. Let's say I paid an extra $90K to finish the degree a year earlier, and, immediately upon graduating, got a job paying $125K. Would I come out ahead?... Probably not, taking into taxes, plus the hassle and expenses of working.
Nope. Nope. No way.
But, discouraged on the job-hunting front. Given my gender, my unusual career path, the fact that it's so hard to accomplish anything resume-worthy when things are such a mess at my current job, and my general ineptitude at talking to people, I think that for me, finding the right job hinges on getting the M.S.C.S. degree. Thus, I've been focusing on my coursework, rather than job-seeking.
Which leads to the question: why not quit the current job, and go full-time on the degree program? The more classes I take at a time, the sooner I finish. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can, perhaps, find a job I'm happy in.
So I did the math, which I will share here, because it's so astonishing. I had to check my work several times over because the result is just so unbelievable.
Simplifying assumptions: This is assuming I am taking 7 more courses, all at the 600+ level. And assuming that if I were to go full-time, I would be able to find 3 or 4 classes I want to take in one semester, and all the remaining courses I would need for the degree the next semester, with no show-stopping schedule conflicts. Also neglecting various fees that full-time students have to pay. Ignoring inflation.
Part-time tuition per credit: $940
Part-time tuition per course: $3,760
7 courses at part-time rate: $26,320
Full-time tuition per semester: $58,560
Semesters required to take 7 courses: ceil(7/4) = 2
2 semesters full-time: $117,120
Cost difference: $90,800
That's... astonishing.
I could perhaps finish the degree a year or two sooner if I were to quit now and focus on finishing it as fast as possible. However, $90K is enough for me to live on for a couple of years. To make that make any sense is a stretch. Let's say I paid an extra $90K to finish the degree a year earlier, and, immediately upon graduating, got a job paying $125K. Would I come out ahead?... Probably not, taking into taxes, plus the hassle and expenses of working.
Nope. Nope. No way.