Contemplating doing an M.A. Communication & Cultural studies part time
March 16, 2016 10:40 AM   Subscribe

Looking for feedback about the upsides and downsides of doing an M.A. part time

I got accepted into the program a year ago, and deferred for a year. Now I have to decide if I want to undertake graduate school.

I'm now working full time and don't want to be a full time student because I don't want to be broke for the next 2-3 years and then unemployed for several months and then underemployed after that. (LOL JK)

The department seems to want me to come back (I did a diploma there) and are nice enough to offer me to do the degree part time and the director says he'll get me some funding. I am certain right now that I do not want to do the MA fulltime, so the only way I will do it is part time. PS it's in the Low Tuition utopia that is Quebec.

the main reason I want to do it is, I know the faculty and they are amazing, I love the subject matter and find it meaningful and significant, and my day job is really really dry and I feel that my mind is drying up into a husk. So it's mainly for personal fulfillment purposes and also because over time I have come to identify completely and fully with the worldview presented in this course of study. There are parts of it that I don't like ( ie: applying reams and reams of theory to television shows) but the department is very open to innovative thesis and project topics so I'm sure I could find something meaningful and significant to study.

I do NOT intend to have a career in academia because of the insane workload, lack of job security and because I'm not a competitive enough person to want that. But, most of my talents and abilities lie in intellectual and aesthetic analysis, which I am unable to exercise in the job market, and I don't think that's a good reason to let these skills dry up and die, and I don't really believe that fulfilling jobs are out there anyways, without selling out. I have a deep faith in and love for the Humanities, which seems impossible to ignore. Please, forgive my idealism!

-I'm 28 and have no responsibilities other than paying my rent, but I do want to have a family one day... once I find the Right Guy (TM)

But what I'm wondering is, is doing an M.A. part time a good idea?

-- Are there weird financial things I am not thinking about, like with regards to taxes, that will screw me over if I work full time while doing this? ( i make about $36,000 per year before taxes)

-- If I try it in September and find I can't manage the workload while working fulltime, what are the negative consequences of quitting ? I ask this because I don't feel comfortable dropping my fulltime job. i don't really feel that bad about the consequences for the university, but maybe I should?

-- I have some ideas of what I would like to do for work instead of what I do now, I think I would be good at something like Translation or technical writing, but I'm not sure making that career change would result in better salary or more fulfilling jobs, so I'm not sure it's worth it.
posted by winterportage to Education (10 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I did a Masters part-time while I was a Customer Service rep. It kept my brain happy and I was able to use the degree to further my career.

I have some deep misgivings about WHY you're doing this. If you don't plan to use the degree, except as a thing to keep you happy, why do it? Why not do something else that's in line with your world-view that will have a meaningful impact on others. What else can you do with this degree except teaching and academia?

Perhaps you ought to look into a masters that will add value to your employability? I got an MBA, and I was an English major. I thought it would be disgusting, but I LOVED it. It hit all my buttons. It helped me be more analytical, to evaluate problems and provide solutions, it helped me understand where people in business are coming from, it was a fantastic surprise.

I did a bunch of career counseling and testing through my union and I was approached by the company and told, "We'll pay for the program. It's held alternate weekends here in the building, it will take you a year and a half." I said, "EW! Business. Nasty. Besides, a year and a half!" Then they said, "A year and a half is going to pass anyway." So I did it. Best Decision EVER!

Doing an MA in Communication and Cultural studies is a dead-end because the thrill will only last as long as you're studying. I mean, if you're not using the information, what's next?

Perhaps you ought to find something like International Business, that will take the love you have for communication and other cultures, and allow you to apply it in a practical way.

I don't believe in getting degrees in something that I wouldn't actually use. If you like analysis and it sounds like you do, look to being practical.

As for 'selling out', I think what you're saying is that using the lofty humanities for the base commerce somehow sullies it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although I work for a consulting firm in a technical capacity, I use my teaching skills and my people skills everyday to help people working for large corporations.

For example, let's say you get an MBA, you too could be a consultant and you could travel and have adventures and meet people and learn fascinating stuff about how commerce works. Or you could work consulting for government, or in government or for the UN, or...SO MANY OPTIONS!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:10 AM on March 16, 2016 [5 favorites]


I'm an academic. I really don't see any need for an unfunded MA that isn't related to some career advancement and is a worthwhile investment of money and time. Part time seems better than full time but I generally discourage people from considering MAs like this.
posted by k8t at 11:23 AM on March 16, 2016 [7 favorites]


If you treat it as a fulfilling hobby and it doesn't overwhelm your job and social life, it sounds great. I know someone that did a similar MA and it didn't help him professionally other than that he works at a university and having any masters gets you a little more respect in that environment, but he enjoyed the program. It beats sitting around watching Netflix in my view, but it is possible you might find doing personal study and Coursera as fulfilling with less cost and pressure.
posted by Candleman at 11:24 AM on March 16, 2016


I think this sounds like it could be a good idea. Two things I would check on first:

1. Will having an MA make you "overqualified" for certain positions you might someday be interested in pursuing. This is a super obnoxious trend, but one that does exist and just something to be aware of (no idea if it would apply to your industry).

2. I would have an honest coversation with whoever your main advisor would be about the impacts of you dropping out. You don't have to frame it in a super negative way, but more along the lines of "I'm concerned about balancing work and school, and for financial reasons, full time work is not negotiable for me. What are you thoughts on me giving this a try and seeing how it goes, but with the understanding that it's possible I would need to leave the program depending on work demands?" It's possible they will be totally fine with this. It's also possible they're considering giving you scarce scholarship funds and you taking the money and then dropping out means another student (who would have fully committed to the program) doesn't get to attend. Or it's possible that your funding would be working as a teaching assistant, and if you drop out that class doesn't get covered. There are a whole range of options as to what impact it would have on others, so especially since it sounds like you are on the fence here, I would go into it with full honesty and see what will or will not work for them.
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:42 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]


If you're talking about the MA program at Concordia, that's the one I did (full time). I had two colleagues who did it part time but after one year they asked for time off at work and started going to school full time. The work load of the program was just too much. Another advantage is that you might qualify for a bursary if you're not working, so you would be paying 0 tuition. You can memail me if you want to talk more.
posted by TheGoodBlood at 11:50 AM on March 16, 2016


I completed an MA part time over three years while I worked and it was difficult. On top of the study hours and assignments I also had clinical placement hours and other time commitments involved, but even without that it is draining to balance both work and study. I LOVED my subject area but it was a completely career-oriented decision, and I don't regret it in the slightest but I really don't know if I could have coped with the emotional, financial and physical drain (working all week and then doing assignments means sacrificing downtime so I was bone-tired at times) if I didn't have a clear goal at the end to keep me motivated.

As for dropping out I wouldn't worry about the University. It happens - of my cohort of 20 only 4 of us made it to the end - but I'd be more worried about wasting the time and money. If I was you and it was more for mental stimulation and learning than a career necessity, I'd check out shorter courses nearby that you could take that wouldn't be as much of an investment, or check out with the faculty if you'd be able to take a few modules from the programme as stand-alone units.
posted by billiebee at 11:54 AM on March 16, 2016


Having a MA is rarely a bad thing, and this sounds like a good deal. The only downside is if you start in September, can't do it and drop it, you'll be on the hook for that term of tuition.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:09 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]


I would look at it as a series of adult education classes. People do those all the time and no one asks where it's leading. The key is that it fits into people's lives and doesn't cost too much money. If you can do this in a way that doesn't disrupt your day-job and doesn't cost more than you can afford (ie, doesn't keep you from paying your bills, saving for retirement, etc.) then go forth and enjoy. If it's too much work, then you can stop.
posted by lunasol at 12:50 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]


I am in the last semester of an MA program I've been doing part time, while working fulltime, over four years. I know I'm glad I did it, though it was really hard. To answer your questions first: It sounds like you have all the passion you need, and I wouldn't worry about not having a defined career purpose for it at this moment. The kind of thinking you would do will help you in all sorts of ways unpredictable at this moment. Also, new career possibilities may emerge as you go through he program.

-- Are there weird financial things I am not thinking about, like with regards to taxes, that will screw me over if I work full time while doing this? ( i make about $36,000 per year before taxes)

I don't think so. In fact, you can claim your educational expenses as a deductible if you can think of a way, any way, that it will help you make money now or in future - even if not in your actual job, say by writing a journal article, giving a talk, or consulting on a friend's creative project. I found it helped my taxes. You can also deduct the mileage or fares you pay to get to classes and appointments or just to the library, any school supplies, and even a portion of your home setup like internet, computers, etc. You might walk to talk to an accountant in advance, because if you don't itemize yet, you probably will want to start once you get into school so you can maximize your deductions.

Hidden costs of school: textbooks, of course. Software sometimes. Travel to and from. Meals away from home that you grab because you were too tired to pack snacks. Convenience food that you eat more of because you don't devote as much time to cooking. Going out with classmates for food and drinks.

-- If I try it in September and find I can't manage the workload while working fulltime, what are the negative consequences of quitting ? I ask this because I don't feel comfortable dropping my fulltime job. i don't really feel that bad about the consequences for the university, but maybe I should?

Nah. Disregard this worry.

Go ahead and get started. The only way to really know how it's going to fit in your life is to give it a try. I will share some of my experiences. First, make sure you can go to the class schedule and make whatever arrangements you need to leave work early, come in late, or whatever it may be. Look ahead at your work schedule -for the entire semester - and make sure you do what you can to create easier weeks when you have big deadlines, field trips, special sessions, etc. Second, make yourself a weekly schedule. A lot of people who do this and go to a night class after work give themselves a night "off" after class day, because it can get pretty intensive. Schedule rest days in after work days. Make sure you set aside at least a couple of nights during the week to read assignments, write, and do the online components of coursework. Don't save it up until the day before the deadline - that will suck.

One thing that's hard with a FT work schedule is getting to the library. When you go through orientation, learn everything you can about what you have for electronic library access and database access from home. Get set up to do as much as possible form home. Hopefully you can catalog search and request your books in advance so you can just go pick them up when you have time, rather than spending hours in the stacks. Learn the library hours and schedule in time that you can go, whether it's after work or on weekends.

Definitely take vacations whenever you can, in between semesters or on breaks. Give yourself that rest time.

If you have a partner, discuss with them how you're going to carve out work time and together time. It can be kind of isolating to spend so much of your time either at work or studying. You might find you see your friends less and you'll have to be less spontaneous about just hanging out. You may want to make clearer plans about visiting people and start getting used to saying no to things that sound fun.

Another thing to do is simplify your other tasks to the degree possible. Automate your bill paying if you can so you don't have to think about it. Figure out a simple rotating meal schedule or arrange with a partner (if you have one) to cook on your study nights. Keep home life simple. Keep things as uncluttered as you can.

Reward yourself with relaxing things like TV (that you don't have to annotate). Take walks outside when you can. Keep up an exercise schedule - this is where a lot of grad students, including me, fall of the wagon and wish we hadn't, but if you can keep it up (or take it up) it will help you feel better, sleep better, handle stress better, and not feel bad that you grew out of shape while you were working so hard on the degree.

Happy to answer other questions and totally encourage you to do it. Looking ahead to graduation feels pretty great.
posted by Miko at 9:54 AM on March 17, 2016


Response by poster: thanks for your answers!! very interesting. I think it's doable.
I do like the idea of an MBA but what are the chances i would get in with my artsy background?
posted by winterportage at 8:49 AM on March 19, 2016


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