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grad school plans and babies 0_o (head asplode!)
Hi guys...I'm a lurker and haven't posted on this board in forever....
(back story: Husband and I have been married for about 4.5 years and have no plans of kids in the immediate future (we're thinking in 2-3 years when we're both 32/33ish.)
I've finally decided to go back to school for a grad degree in the field I'm currently working in (music therapy), which will take me 2 years to finish though I'm having doubts about the program and thinking of switching to something like physical therapy or occupational therapy (both about 3 year-programs and WAY more expensive than what I'm doing now, which is only about 16K for the entire 2-year program). The upside is that I'm pretty much guaranteed to find a job in either of these fields (OT or PT) and make decent pay (much better than music therapy) right off the bat..Downside is the mass amounts of school debt I would accrue right around the time we'd want to start ttc.
I've ALWAYS wanted my masters, just didn't know what to do it in (still kind of unsure!) which I why I waited 6 years after my bachelors. Buuuuttttt....I've always ALSO wanted to be a stay at home mom with 2-3 kids, at least until they're school-aged. So hard being a girl! Seems like a waste to work super hard at a grad degree then stop everything to be a SAHM. With the MT degree, i'd have more flexibility with seeing clients here and there after having kids, and fewer school loans afterward (but less financial stability. Never thought I'd say this, but is 29 too old to be starting a 3 year grad program that would result in 70K+ in student loans? Would I even be able to start paying them off if I'm poppin out babies when the program's done? OMG going to drive me crazy. Blah. Wish I had made these decisions 5 years ago. :-/ Anyone else go through this? (lol, am I making sense at all? hehe definitely late, and I'm rambling).
Thanks ladies 
Re: grad school plans and babies 0_o (head asplode!)
I don't have an opinion on whether or not it's financially the best move but I just wanted to say that education is never wasted.
I'm of the opinion that learning is good. That once you have a qualification, no one can take it away from you and that even if you were a SAHM until you were say 45, well that's still 20 years of a working life ahead of you.
if grad school is something you've always wanted to do, then go. even if you end up becoming a SAHM and decide not to ever go back to work full-time, i think it's a worthwhile venture.
that said, if i were you, i'd lean towards the MT degree that you mentioned -- both because it's cheaper, and because you've said up front that you would like to SAH (likely starting soon after you earn the degree). you'll have less student loans to pay back, and (i'm taking your word for this) it would be easier to see a few clients part time. it seems like taking on 70k in debt just before SAH will make it a lot harder to survive on a single income. the 2 year program seems like the best route to help you make both of these dreams happen.
and no, 29 is not too old to be starting a 3 year program! i just started my PhD, and several of the people in my cohort are in their young thirties (5 years of education ahead of us). i just think that one of the more pricey routes may lock you into working when you would rather SAH.
Do you want to be a PT or an OT? Or do you want to be a music therapist? Those are rather different roles, so you need figure out which career you should pursue. Do you know the salary range for starting positions in the fields? This will help you determine how long it will take you to pay off your SLs. Generally, I know PTs are in demand all over the country.
Like PPs said, can you afford to live off your H's income with kids and pay your SLs? Would you consider part time work while your kids are little? PT and OT would allow you to work evenings or weekends so you can keep a toe in the water, so to speak.
Good luck.
I will be getting my masters while I'm a SAHM. I am 28 and we just started TTC this month.
We plan on having 2-3 kids, so if I stay home until they are all in school I should have enough time to take a class or two each semester and finish in plenty of time to re-enter the work force.
Getting a masters while being a SAHM will also help fill that gap in my resume. It also means that when the time comes to begin re-paying student loans I will be working again.
I'm sure as a SAHM I will also appreciate the chance to get out of the house and exercise my brain. Most graduate level classes (in my field anyway) are at night so my H will be home with the kids while I am at class.
Maybe this timing could work for you, too?
From a strictly occupational perspective, what is the actual average salary for MT in your area? does your program provide the coursework to qualify you as an LPC?
I'm a mental health professional on the East Coast and PT's and OT's make considerably more than MT's, who are often limited in where they can work and where their contributions are seen as adjunctive at best. I've found that grad programs aren't always entirely honest with these facts and although it would be ethical to inform their students, wouldn't always be good for business.
Short term, the OT or PT are more expensive degrees but this is ideally what you pay for a lifetime of more job/financial security. Seeing clients here/there as an MT sounds good in theory, but as you know, it's a hustle. No vacation days, no sick days, etc.-compare self-employment in mental health/social services as having 20 bosses instead of just the one when you affiliate with a hospital/clinic.
Hope this helps
I do not think that starting a 3 year program at your age is bad at all. I totally encourage it. It will go so fast and you will be glad you did it. Plus you have plenty of time to have kids.
I am an OT myself and have been doing it for 7 years now. I love my job. If you are considering becoming a parent, I think PT/OT is one of the best careers you can have as a working parent. Most of my coworkers who have kids work like 2-3 days a week, and pretty much have their choice on when they want to work and what hours.
I personally never really even heard of a music therapist until last year and I think you will have a very difficult time getting a job. At least as a PT/OT you will be able to pay off your student loans in a reasonable amount of time due to the high pay and availabiliy of jobs. I'd rather have that security rather than wondering if I will be able to find a job as a MT, and still having alot of debt.
I'd suggest you follow a PT or OT to see if you even would like that job. It is very hard work!
Good luck!
Deciding what you want to be is the first step. Physical and occupational therapists are in very high demand, and are well-paid. Music therapy is admirable, but not well-paid. I do know an OT who uses music with her clients, and it works very well for her.
As far as the timeline goes; if it were me, I would probably move up the ttc and take classes while at home with the kids. I'm in college working toward a BSN with five kids at home, so I know for certain that it is definitely do-able. If you take a few classes at a time, would you be able to afford to pay for some of it out of pocket? If so, this reduces your student debt significantly