Is Now a Good Time To Go Back To School?

I considered this very question so many times while I was unemployed. Even though I already had a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, I would always consider getting this certification or maybe another bachelor’s degree. During one of the weekly meetings I attended in my job search program, Columbus State Community College had a representative come to speak about continuing education programs. I had decided that if I didn’t have any leads by January of 2012, I was going to apply for a 10 month pharmaceutical program. Essentially the program trains you to manage the labs where pharmaceuticals are manufactured. I ended up getting a lead and a job offer before the end of January so I didn’t apply to the program.

As I was deciding on whether or not to apply, here are some of the things I took into consideration. Was the program I was looking to enter specific? I felt that my BA in History and general MBA were not serving me well. Many of the jobs that were available had very specific educational requirements or it was “highly desired” to have a specific degree. When I was deciding on graduate school I thought a general MBA would be best, otherwise I would limit myself. Clearly, my thinking is very different than those making the hiring decisions. But I did understand this as I was considering investing in more education. The program I was thinking of entering was very specific and would have led to a very specific job market.

Another consideration was the financial investment. I have student loans that I am still repaying and was not sure if I wanted to add to it. Had it been a two year program, I probably would not have considered it. I still have child to put through college, the money I’d be adding to my debt could go towards saving for her education. Even though I love going to school and wouldn’t mind getting a PhD or something, I have to consider what would be best for my finances.

A final consideration was the investment of my time. Going back to school would have taken away a good portion of my availability and could have slowed my job search. The time I would have normally spent looking for and applying for jobs would have been spent attending classes and completing assignments. Going back to school would also have potentially made interviewing difficult, further extending my unemployment.

Again, I ended up not going back to school because I got a job, but it was high on my list if I hadn’t started working again soon. If this is something that you are considering, weigh the pros and cons. Do your research on what to study. Pick a field that is specific and expected to be growing, not steady or declining. Think about whether or not adding to your debt is a good idea. Many factors can contribute to making a good decision about whether or not you should go back to school while you are unemployed.

Ultimately it’s a decision that only you can make, but one that can have a major affect on your life, so take your time and choose wisely.