Arg! What should I do? More education or job?

Question

I know that nobody can answer this question for me, but perhaps someone can give me something to think about that I have not thought of already. Here is my problem. I am about to get my B.S. in Political Science. I originally wanted to go on and get an M.S. in Homeland Security and work for the Federal Government. However, I found out that the two convictions I got when I was 18, assult and disturbing the peace, would probably bar me from aquiring a job.

So I have decided to go a different route and I have 2 choices. I have a standing offer to go out and work in the oilfield. I have worked there before and I hate everything but the money, and the money is good! About $100,000 a year. The hours are miserable and the work is awful. Except for the money It is a miserable dog's life!

Or, I can get another degree in accounting. I have been accepted into the program and I have loved the accounting classes I have taken to date. It would take me 3 more years to complete.

After 27 hours of accounting classes I can sit for the CPA exam even before I finish the degree.

The only thing is even at the peak of my career I would make less than in the oilfield. I cannot work in the oilfield while I get this degree, and figure I will only make 20-30 thousand dollars a year while I get the degree, and maybe a little more if I get the CPA certificate.

Answer 1

I could not disagree more with the first response, especially in the context of your situation. Academia isn't going to give you some distorted view of the world if you're studying accounting for a few years. Maybe if you were a reclusive, tenured Ph.D. sitting in a little office reading and writing books for the rest of your life... but you're not at risk for Tapestr's nonsense.

If money is more important than enjoying life, take the oilfield job. Most people like money because it gives them the idea that they'll enjoy life more. If you hate the work and hate the hours, you are going to hate your life. $100k a year isn't worth hating your life.

Accounting has a strong potential to give you better earnings in the future than this oilfield job. The CPA is necessary for that though. Three years is nothing, and if you excel in the courses and enjoy it, you are cut out for it. Many people hate it, and even more can't perform. If you're capable of both, then for the love of God, stay in school.

And if you think you're going to work for awhile and THEN go back to school, I think you're gambling. It's infinitely harder to commit to going back to school after making good money than it is to just stay for a little longer.

Answer 2

work in the oil field for a year and a half to two years.

get your masters then you will really appreciate life as a CPA. You have the job skills for a 100,000 a year job...... but it sounds like you wont be happy unless you get the accounting degree. Check again in a year or so if anyone would hire you with that assult charge.
Just make a promise to yourself to go back to school after 1, 2, 4, or 5 years. Try deferred admission after a year or two.

Answer 3

Go back to work, the money is good and you don't want to be a perpetual student your whole life.
Acadamia has a tendency to make you dependent on it to the point you don't want to work as long as you have money for courses.. its endless there. You get a myopic view of life too they don't seem to 'get' real people because they aren't!