Community› The Bump Message Boards› Working Moms
Working Moms
New Discussion

DH Quitting Job for Grad School - WWYD?

massdreamsmassdreams member
in Working Moms

Over the past couple of months, DH and I have been talking about him going to grad school for guidance counseling. He studied education & english in college, but went into journalism. That field is pretty much dying now so we're thinking it is a good time to make a career switch. Plus, it would be great for one of us to have a schedule that fairly matched up with the kids schedule once they are in school.

We were planning on having him quit and go full time in Fall 2010 (2 year program). He cannot do part time with his job - the hours are too crazy and unpredictable. However, he just got an 8% paycut yesterday (everyone in his newspaper company did), and we're not sure what else might happen in the coming year. We're thinking about looking into him starting this Fall instead if the program would still let him apply, but it seems kind of sudden. Our plan is to have him work as a correspondent while in school, take out some school loans and make budget cuts and live like paupers for the two years he's in school. I had thought we could save some more money for it as well this year, but now with his pay cut I'm not sure that would happen.

I guess this is a bit of a WWYD post. Part of me feels like him quitting and starting up in September is sooner than we had mentally prepared for, but he would be done the program a year sooner. And I'm pretty confident my job is secure, but you still never know in this economy.

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: DH Quitting Job for Grad School - WWYD?

  • beenbizzybeenbizzy member

    What is the job outlook for guidance counselors when he is done with school?  Would you have to move or he drive a long commute to find something?  If either of those are yes, than I wouldn't encourage it.  If you thinkg finding a job will be fairly easy I would tell him to go back to school in the fall.  I don't know what kind of income he can bring in with being a correspondent, but if he was a bartender or something like that (that he could do on the weekend nights) he could make decent money.  I know that would put a burden on your family and social life, but if it helps pay the bills, I'd do it. 

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • massdreamsmassdreams member
    The job outlook is pretty good. We have other friends who are counselors, and they say many GCs are older and retiring soon. Plus, not many men go into it, so he has an advantage. And we live in a well populated area where a lot of towns have their own high schools, so within a 1/2 hour from where we live he'd have lots of job options.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • madhatter2003madhatter2003
    My DH is getting his PhD...it's been hard at times but we manage even with 2 kids.  Will he qualify for any fellowships or anything? That's how we pay for daycare, everything else we live on my salary alone. We haven't had to take out any student loans at all even between his fellowship and money from teaching jobs here and there.
    My two PCOS miracles! Lilypie Kids Birthday tickersLilypie Kids Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • RoxyLynnRoxyLynn member

    I was in IT in the early 2000's - of course my job was sent to India.  That happened twice, and I got out.

    When your field is dying, the mistake a lot of people make is to stay in.  Not that it'll die out completely, but it'll never be what it was and there are always more people afraid to jump than to stay, so there are more stay-ers than the diminishing field can absorb.

    Go for it and good luck!

    Report Reply
  • costfordscostfords

    Just an FYI, with a down turn in the economy grad schools are harder to get into.  Many people decide that if they get laid off, they will get an advanced degree and enter the workforce a few years later with more skills.  I think that before you make the decision, see if your DH can get into the program.

    GL!

    Report Reply
  • TheMalleysTheMalleys
    If I were you I would stick with the plans of starting grad school in 2010. Even though he got an 8% pay-cut, its still better than nothing. For the next year I would take his salary and put it ALL into savings. Doing this will a.) give you a nice nest egg when he DOES start school and ease the financial strain b) Get you used to living off of just your salary so it won't be a huge shock. If he does get laid off before grad-school, at least he can get unemployment while waiting to start school and he will be gettings at least some income. Cause you can't get unemployment if you are a full-time student.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"