MAN WANTS TO STOP HIS CAREER TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, SLOW DOWN IN LIFE

I have been working for a few years now and am thinking of pursuing further studies, both to slow down in life and to add new skills.

I am undecided on whether I should be studying something that I really like but may not make me more marketable than before, and studying something in line with the skills in demand, which I neither dislike or am passionate about.

Fees for masters or post-grad studies are really not cheap. Coupled with the income loss in the sabbatical year, its a decision that needs to be carefully deliberated.

Netizens’ comments

1. So have you decided on the career path yet or are you still discovering and learning about yourself? If is the former, I think the answer is obvious what you gonna do next. If it is the latter which I think you belong to that, I don’t think it is worth spending money and time on further studies until you understand yourself better on what you really want to do in your life.
   • I am still in the exploratory stage. But how long should this phase last? Entering into 30s soon, which is a time that I think is the phase of life to be in a industry to deep specialise. But I don’t seem to know enough of a world out of my current job (with the organisation since graduation).
     I am personally interested in psychology, particularly clinical psychology and mental health related issues. But I do not have a psychology background and I am not sure how much job opportunities are there in this field since it is quite a mature field.
2. I’m of the opinion that whatever you study if you have a few employable skills you’ll never have trouble making money. If anything it’s easier to find a high paying niche.
   I did a diploma in mass comm at a poly, then a degree in computer science at an Australian uni and now I’m doing a part-time MSc. in neuroscience at NTU out of interest. I’ve worked in ed-tech startups, private education institutions, and a corporate consultancy in mixed roles requiring a mix of technical and management expertise.
   I also recommend doing your masters part-time while having a job because the slower pace will not only allow you to consolidate what you learn better but you’ll have more time to think of applying it in your career. It’ll also be easier on finances.
   For example, I’m doing a module now on using neural networks to understand brain activity and because I’m only taking 1 module a semester I can take a udacity course on machine learning to implement neural networks on the side to supplement my learning and turn what I learn into a more employable skill.
   Lifelong learning and being able to guide your own learning to get the type of employment you want is going to an essential skill going forward so think about your interests, aptitudes and the kind of employment situation you want before selecting a path of learning for yourself. The local unis here are offering micro masters pathways now too so look into that and try out a course first if you’re not sure.