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BIG life decisions ahead for me and DH-advice?
This is going to be long-stick with me, ladies! I'd love some advice.
First of all, some background info: DH and I are pretty young (24 and 25) and got married right out of college. For the past year and a half, we've been working in retail, trying to break into careers. My degree is in English, and I'd like to either get my PhD and become a professor, or find a job in journalism. DH works in business, and is currently a store manager working on his MBA. He'd like to get a job at the corporate level eventually.
So, I recently interviewed for an internship in Chicago (we live in a small city in Wisco right now, where there aren't many journalism positions). What we do have here in Eau Claire, however, is a college with an accessible Master's program, where I could bolster my GPA in order to get into a really great school for my doctorate. I met with the University YESTERDAY, and was so excited to start school that I began thinking I might not even take the internship if I got it.
Another piece of background info is that I REALLY want to live in Chicago. It's closer to my family, I love big cities, etc...
Ironically, on exactly the same day that I got so excited about going back to school, DH got offered a job in downtown Chicago. The pay isn't much different, but it's a bigger company, so there is theoretically more opportunity for advancement. I don't know if I have my internship yet (obviously) but with my parents close by we wouldn't need to rush into paying rent. I have been dreaming of the big city, and DH finally has a job offer there. Sounds perfect, except that now I'm not sure if I should forgo this school opportunity (I think I would make a much better teacher than journalist) and am afraid of not being able to get started in the universities in Chicago. I'm also not sure how smart it is to move across the state for a same-paying job and less standing in the company.
I'm totally torn. DH is going to be home in a few minutes, so we're planning on talking it out...but I'd love your feedback!
Re: BIG life decisions ahead for me and DH-advice?
This sounds like a tough decision. Definitely talk about it and choose the best option for you guys.
My first instinct would be to say that, if this would be a good career move for your DH, you should go. If you get the internship, that would just be icing on the cake. Chicago is so much bigger, so there are probably be more internship opportunities for you there than in WI.
Speaking as a graduate student who knows a little bit about academia, I don't necessarily think that it's worth it to get a masters before starting a PhD. If you can go to a place that will give you a fellowship (so you don't have to pay for school), they generally want you to start over with their program, even if you have a masters. I don't know the details about humanities departments, though, since I'm in math.
I'm sure that no matter what you do, you and DH will be making good decisions about your careers. Good luck! Let us know what you decide!
Oh geez - that is a tough decision.
What is your gut telling you to do? I would say that if Chicago is where you guys want to end up, then you should take the opportunity. Chicago will have more opportunities for you with regards to finding an internship and if the new company for your DH is larger, there is certainly more opportunity for career growth.And don't forget - there are schools in Chicago that you could go to as well. More than you think there are probably.
Look at the situation as a whole - not just from a career aspect. You want to make sure that this is the best move for you and your DH as a whole: jobs, lifestyle, family, etc.
Let us know what you guys decide!!
I've thought about this too. What I'm concerned about, however, is that I didn't necessarily try my hardest during my undergrad years, and ended up with a 3.4. I'm capable of much better grades, so I was hoping to get my Master's first in order to bolster my GPA so I can get into a really good doctoral program..
First, I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit. A 3.4 is a great GPA for undergrad! And you have to remember that any doctoral program isn't going to accept or deny you solely based on your GPA. Most doctoral programs require some kind of interview at the very least, and you can certainly make up for what you feel you lack in undergrad by showing your desire to work hard and further educate yourself. So stop downing on yourself!
Second, IMO, I think you ought to consider the move to Chicago. If this has the potential to further DH's career because it's a bigger company with growth allowance, it could really benefit you both down the line. And even if he doesn't stay there until retirement, it never hurts to have the name of a big, reputable company on your resume. And regarding the schools there, have a little faith in yourself. I bet you could get into a few of them
Follow your heart girlie, and believe in yourself! It's the only way to go these days
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I agree with this-DH and I live in the middle of nowhere and sometimes I wish we had moved somewhere more exciting where there are more opportunities. We wanted to be near our families so that is why we are still here.
Ultimately though you have to just talk to DH and see what the two of you think is best-but I would consider the long term and think about where you want to be when you start your careers and family.