really need some advice

[skim milk]

I graduated this past semester and I decided to enroll in a post-bac program in NY to fulfill the pre-reqs necessary to apply to grad school. In the meantime, I have been interviewing and I have a full time job offer in Washington DC to start in Feb/March. They want a decision from me by the end of this upcoming week. They gave me only 1-2 weeks for decision time and I don't want to lose this offer. I like the company but I've already started taking classes in NY. I can drop everything and move to DC, but this means I won't have much of a chance to apply to a grad program in the future if I somehow don't complete these courses. I'm also in the process of interviewing with my top choice company but I won't be able to hear back with the decision until after the other company's offer has expired. The start date for this other company is July for NYC which would work out perfectly.

What should I do in this situation? I'm taking necessary classes but is it better to go work full time? Am I just wasting my time until July? I'm getting a little bored not doing much during the week except night classes. But I really want to have a realistic shot of getting into a certain grad program in the future and these courses are crucial. If I take the February/March full time job, I won't be able to complete the courses because it's a consulting job and I'll be traveling a lot.
If I just forget school, how about taking the offer, start my job in February and leave in July to join the other company? I'm sure this will be frowned upon. I really want to join my top choice company but what if I don't get an offer and I have let the other offer expire.

I hope this makes sense.. I could really use some advice. I'd just like to hear what you would do in my situation... school and eventually getting a Master's is important to me so that's why it makes accepting this job offer more difficult. If anything is confusing, just post and I'll clarify

 

[isekii]

There are a bunch of great schools in DC.

You can't attend grad school there ?

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: isekii
There are a bunch of great schools in DC.

You can't attend grad school there ?

if I take the job in DC and start next month, I won't be able to take any classes due to the nature of my job. I must take these courses to be considered for admission. That's why if I started in July in NYC, I can continue with my post bac program, finish two semesters (spring and summer) and finish up in fall with the rest of the classes

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Contact the company you really want to work for. Tell them the way it is. Simply say you have an offer from ABC corp but you are my first choice. I'd prefer to work for you, butI need an answer in X days.

The fact that they know you want to work for them if at all possible is icing on the cake. If they don't want to rush to get you in, will you really be upset that you don't work there?

PS: Hope you had fun at school. The real world is all down hill.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Contact the company you really want to work for. Tell them the way it is. Simply say you have an offer from ABC corp but you are my first choice. I'd prefer to work for you, butI need an answer in X days.

The fact that they know you want to work for them if at all possible is icing on the cake. If they don't want to rush to get you in, will you really be upset that you don't work there?

PS: Hope you had fun at school. The real world is all down hill.

I have contacted the company that I really want to work for... they are already rushing the process. They told me the earliest they can fly me into the office if I pass the 2nd interview is February 9th. I told them they are my first choice and my other offer is expiring.

 

[112]

i'm not sure if i exactly understand your situation, but it seems that it boils down to, whats more important. the experience you would be getting at this job in dc, or the education you're receiving now in ny.

if you're considering this job only because you want to fill in some time when you're not going to class, i would just stay in school and get it over with.

in certain fields of employment, experience is more important than education, yet there's some areas where having a certain education or degree can help you more.

i think you're just going to have to sit down and decide which aspect is going to be more beneficial in the long run. (ie. working for 3 years at $50k/year without an mba vs. 100k/year with an mba. of course its hard to get into a good MBA program without experience, but i'm sure you understand what i'm trying to say)

 

[Dirigible]

Sounds simple to me based on what you wrote, but I may be missing something:
It appears that grad school is your priority, so don't take the job. Stay in NYC, finish the classes.

If this job is more important than a way to make some $$ and fill time until grad school, my answer above should be ignored. Any number of other factors may also make my answer a bad one.

 

[JoeKing]

whats' your career field? Is an MBA hugely important for you to advance?

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: Dirigible
Sounds simple to me based on what you wrote, but I may be missing something:
It appears that grad school is your priority, so don't take the job. Stay in NYC, finish the classes.

If this job is more important than a way to make some $$ and fill time until grad school, my answer above should be ignored. Any number of other factors may also make my answer a bad one.

well, I'm not in grad school yet.. I'm just taking the needed classes to be considered for admission for a Master's.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
whats' your career field? Is an MBA hugely important for you to advance?

yes, my field is technology consulting, MBA is very important
I want to get a M.S. degree though.. it will open more doors for me

 

[skim milk]

I don't know what kind of advice I'm seeking but here's a bump if you just wanna make some comments for me to consider

 

[JJChicken]

What's stopping you from doing the subjects next year or later this year? If you feel you can easily get a job, then its a fair choice between job and grad school. However, if you feel that it is difficult to get a job, and dont want to go job hunting much, i'd keep the job and defer these subjects. Are you sure you can't do these subjects part time in night classes? That would be a good option.

Also consider what experience you are getting out of this job. If it is great experience, that not only looks invaluable on a CV but also develops you as a person, then I'd definately go the way of the job. If its repetitive work, then I'd lean towards grad school.

Finally, think of your end goal - I'm sure you want to get a particular kind of job after grad school. See whether completing grad school now can get you there easily or if this job provides some bolster to your work experience to make you more competitive in the job market.

 

[gnumantsc]

School will always be there but the job might not be. If I were you, the job would be top priority. You could always take night classes or like the previous person said, go to a school in DC.

There will always be a time to go to school but job opportunities might not be there if you continue with school and get your Masters.

 

[Chewy]

Which company in DC? I'm doing the same thing there...

Anyway, are those pre-reqs REALLY pre-reqs? I never heard of any "special classes" to get into grad school - thought it was only your GRE score. I know plenty of people that went to grad school w/out taking anything. Maybe it's different now?

To me, it's a no-brainer in your situation (if they really are pre-reqs): stay in NYC, finish your classes, then reapply for a job.

1. You already said the job you have isn't your #1, so that should be it.
2. You have a shot at getting accepted for job #2.
3. You sound like a smart guy, so I don't think you'll have a problem finding another job.
4. Since I'm in the same field, I doubt your offer was just SOOO outrageous that you can't pass on it (especially if it's 1 of the firms I'm thinking about).

I would tell job #1 that you have to postpone the start date given your circumstances. If they're not willing to work with you, then they're not worth working for.


Of course, if I were you...I would skip the whole grad school part. School is for suckers

PS. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about DC area

 

[EagleKeeper]

Contact the first position and explain that you are very interested in them; however, you have an interview committment for Mid Feb.

For the first slot, indicate ASAP that you will provide a response by the 15th.

If they agree (and they should if they really want you), notify the second slot that you are delaying the decision to allow for the interview. However, inform the second slot in advance, that you will need a committment within 3 days after the interview.

Schooling can always be obtained (usually with the company's help) after you have started working and can prove yourself.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
Contact the first position and explain that you are very interested in them; however, you have an interview committment for Mid Feb.

For the first slot, indicate ASAP that you will provide a response by the 15th.

If they agree (and they should if they really want you), notify the second slot that you are delaying the decision to allow for the interview. However, inform the second slot in advance, that you will need a committment within 3 days after the interview.

Schooling can always be obtained (usually with the company's help) after you have started working and can prove yourself.

Thank you. This sounds like it's the way to go. I'm very happy I asked for advice on ATOT. I'll give this a shot.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: Chewy
Which company in DC? I'm doing the same thing there...

Anyway, are those pre-reqs REALLY pre-reqs? I never heard of any "special classes" to get into grad school - thought it was only your GRE score. I know plenty of people that went to grad school w/out taking anything. Maybe it's different now?

To me, it's a no-brainer in your situation (if they really are pre-reqs): stay in NYC, finish your classes, then reapply for a job.

1. You already said the job you have isn't your #1, so that should be it.
2. You have a shot at getting accepted for job #2.
3. You sound like a smart guy, so I don't think you'll have a problem finding another job.
4. Since I'm in the same field, I doubt your offer was just SOOO outrageous that you can't pass on it (especially if it's 1 of the firms I'm thinking about).

I would tell job #1 that you have to postpone the start date given your circumstances. If they're not willing to work with you, then they're not worth working for.


Of course, if I were you...I would skip the whole grad school part. School is for suckers

PS. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about DC area

job #2 is my top choice. The companies are similar but the experience I get on my resume will be better with the second job... but I'll have a delayed start date and this works out for me because I can finish 4 classes by then. The classes that I'm taking are mostly math classes. They are necessary for admission and these courses hold most weight in decision... I'm taking Calc 3, Probability, Diff EQ, C programming class, and 2 more advanced math classes. The classes you would normally take after Calc 2.
Job offer #1 isn't bad... the salary is in the $60s with a sign on + relocation package.