My dilemma:I have until May to decide how I want to spend the next few years of my life. I'm deciding between the following
A Ph.D. in Health Services Research and Policy
or
A D.S in Information Design and Architecture
or
continue working full-time
or
work full-time + D.S. in Information Design (full-time with online and weekend classes)
The Run-Down
Ph.D. in Health Services Research and Policy
Perks--I'd get a great education and network with amazing people--Hopkins has the best School of Public Health in the nation. A position as a TA or research assistant would be guaranteed. Afterwards, I could land a great analyst job or spend my career working with medical literature and research. Tuition is covered--that's huge. Full-time academic work and TAing is a good balance--enough to keep me happily busy, but not too overwhelming. With no student loan payments and my savings, I could live pretty good on a student's salary.
Cons--It would take at least four years, with very little flexibility--I'd need to be onsite, in Baltimore the whole time, which could be a problem if I need to move or get married or something. Also, I'd have to quit my job.
D.S. in Information Design and Architecture
Perks--I'd get a great education--UB is the only university in Maryland to offer coursework in Information Architectute. In fact, in the entire DMV only Catholic University offers similar coursework--and not on the doctoral level. UB is pretty unique in that aspect and home to the region's teaching experts. I could land a great job as soon as I felt comfortable enough in the field--I wouldn't have to wait until graduation. Jobs in the field are easy to come by, pay well, and allow lots of flexibility. I could complete the program online if I need to move away from Baltimore--online classes aren't my preference, but I like knowing that my future doesn't have to be tied to Bmore.
Cons--It would take 3-4 years. Getting back into the IT world would require me to think a bit differently than what I've become accustomed to--librarian dork and IT dork are very different :) Tuition coverage isn't guaranteed--there's a chance I'd go into more student debt. I get my financial aid package a bit later on.
Work Full-Time
Perks--The comfort of consistency--same pay, same hours, same work. I could focus my efforts on becoming a leader in the field of medical librarianship where I'm already making a name for myself. I like my job--it's super chill and relaxed, it keeps me engaged, I get to be creative, and I get to build relationships with medical professionals, faculty, and students.
Cons--I'm going to get bored--I know it, I can feel it coming. Maybe in 2 years, maybe in 10--I can't say. There will always be that 'what if I'd gone back to school' question lingering in the back of my head. I really think the future of librarianship is in Information Design--at least the sort of librarianship I want to practice. I'd like to prepare for that now, while I don't have many other major commitments.
Work Full-Time + D.S. in Information Design
Perks: Howard University employees get 50% off courses in any of f the University of Maryland System schools, which include UB. That would make classes much more affordable, and I'd also be eligible for additional financial aid. I'd continue to get my 'working girl' salary. It might be worth is to reach the 10-year non-profit work mark to have my student loans forgiven--I'm already 2 years in.
Cons: At this point in my career, I could work and do a full-time doctoral program and not be burned out. My job is laid back enough and UB caters to working professionals. If things pick up at work though, I'd be overwhelmed. That would lead to me either quitting my job or scaling back on classes. I'd have to be really good at managing my time and some of my extracurricular activities might take a hit--i.e my hair club and Girls on the Run, and swim coaching. Those things have become such a part of my life, I'd hate to give them up.
Comments
Post a Comment