Master's degree + full time work... Panic!

roodles

Well-Known Member
Has anyone on here done a Master's degree whilst working full time? How did you get on?

I start in about 3 weeks and am starting to get nervous! It's in the evening so it's going to be very tough I expect...

Ot oh, spaghetti O :lol:
 
yes. I did a second (law) degree part time and am finishing my MBA..all while working. Not gonna lie, it is challenging, such as the sacrifices you have to make with time. You also get out what you put it.

Good luck.
 
Thanks... Oh dear... It's cold feet time haha but I got chartered whilst working so I'm no stranger to it...

Did you find you were missing many lectures because of work or did you manage to make most of them?

Luckily I have support at work to help out too!

Cheers
Roodles
 
I did my additional studying with the OU, so all the content is on line, in material sent or the lectures are at weekends, you just have to put in the effort to do it. The masters is a combination of the above, plus week long residential schools.
i have just started a fourth degree (or second masters) in regulatory science, which is delivered by the uni of Hertfordshire. With this, you pick your modules which have an intense 3 days then go and do the essays. Because I am self employed, I have made it work for me. I would expect that if a organisation is paying for you to do it, they must be supportive of the time it takes. I was sent on a management development program about 5 years ago, delivered through a university business school and was permitted to take time to go on lectures and to research a project.
 
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Ah interesting... We are doing slightly different things then.. My employer isn't paying for it yet, although I'm trying to convince them of course :)

It's a 15 ish month intensive for me... Twice a week in the evening at Uni and then the rest at home / work.

Luckily it's the field I work in so like I say I will have brain power support at the office.

Good luck with your degree.

Cheers
Roodles
 
It is draining working and uni

I did a masters degree in engineering maths about 6 years ago and I was also paying for a lecturer to come around my house to help me with the bits I didn't understand and I used him for 2 years twice a week at £25 an hour

I done it all and past and eventually it all sunk in but I wouldn't have done it without the extra support of a paid lecturer

i was glad to finish that's for sure




dont be afraid to ask for help on stuff you don't understand that's why many people give up as they are embarrassed to ask for help as they think people will laugh at them because they don't no it

thats is why we are learning because we don't no
 
I did an M Sc in Transportation whilst working - with everything else and working full-time it was hard. A bit of advice, dont get behind with coursework, if you have any, I spent 3 weeks from 8.00 Pm until I couldnt concentrate (usually about 2.00 am) writing up and analysing results - then a further number of weeks reading typed drafts as the whole and a thesis, had to be bound for submission. The exams werent too bad but the coursework and thesis were a nightmare, sorry I mean challenging. Keep up to date and you'll be fine. One consolation, I was one of the few who had the qualification then and it made a big difference. MBA is a must have these days but in my view rather overrated as 'management' is empathy and common sense.
 
Has anyone on here done a Master's degree whilst working full time? How did you get on?

I start in about 3 weeks and am starting to get nervous! It's in the evening so it's going to be very tough I expect...

Ot oh, spaghetti O :lol:

Just get your head down and get it done! I finished mine this summer (also this year we bought a house and had a baby!) and managed it by changing my attitude towards the books. At undergrad, studying daily was pretty much optional - there was always plenty of time to catch-up / cram before exams. At MSc (when working FT) all your study time is needed, very tough to catch up if you drop a ball...
I treated it like a second job - there was no option, it just had to be done.

It's only 15 months - keep busy and it'll fly by. Be worth it in the end!

Mick
 
Thanks all... !

Wow a baby... Not sure how you managed that but :tiphat: to you sir! The MSc is in my current field... Well, sort of, so I am hoping that it will be less of a drop in the deep end than it could be!

Cheers
Roodles
 
I'm currently half way through a 2 years masters degree, whilst working full time and doing 1 night in 3 on call!

Quite dooable, but does need commitment. I work best late at night/early hours.

Mine has 8 residential weeks, 1 every quarter for the two years.
 
I am an uneducated twit but my two older kids did it. Two simultaneous undergrad degrees each and then full time work/Master's program. Good bye to spare time if their experiences are typical. One thing i can advise; don't do it piece meal -taking a semester off here and there. My ex did that and it cost me thousands of dollars extra with her stopping and starting. Just getter done.~Muir
 
Has anyone on here done a Master's degree whilst working full time? How did you get on?

I start in about 3 weeks and am starting to get nervous! It's in the evening so it's going to be very tough I expect...

Ot oh, spaghetti O :lol:

Yes I did it and you shouldn't panic but don't underestimate the work involved. I seem to remember is was stated it was 'only' 15 hours study a week but by the time I got home I just seemed to have my nose in a book a lot. If you have a dissertation to do I would suggest you start it early on as it takes the pressure off later. Good luck.
Iain.
 
I've been juggling a part-time masters, full time job and a young family for the last few years. It's hard but it is possible...
 
It is more difficult the older you get. I found it really difficult but was very lucky to get my employer's support both financially and time. I would strongly you get your employer on board as I would have found it impossible without it. It is also hard to keep up the momentum and focus and thats where shooting comes in. You need to also fit in time away from the books as this, ironically, will help you concentrate. Good luck.
 
I've just finished my MSc. During the same period I got married, brought and moved house and had our first baby!

Whilst I wouldn't really recommend combining all that, it is possible if you have the right mindset and keep working at it. The rewards at the end can be well worth it, as for me it has meant that I now have a really good and very enjoyable job.

What are you studying?

All the best and good luck with it!
 
Wow, you're the second who seems to have taken on loads at once! That does not sound like you made it easy for yourself - well done!

I'm studying Wealth Management at Cass... I start in a few weeks :eek:
 
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