Would you drop out of grad school for this job?

[Anonymous]

I currently earn $55,700 per year. I feel confident in this job. I was offered a job for $66k with a large organization. The benefits are good. I feel a little less confident in this position.

I have considered leaving my doctorate program for the new job. Plus start my own business on the side for more income.

The main reason why I am thinking of leaving my doctorate program is because I failed my comps and only have one more try at it. If I fail again I will be dismissed from the program anyway. Plus I recently had my car repossessed but got it back. However, I think this will negatively impact my ability to qualify for gradplus loans to pay for school. I know I am a bit of a mess. I just ran into financial issues due to medical problems.

What do you think I should do?

[MTC29]

Of course you feel confident in your current job, but the new job will offer a 15% pay increase. I'm not sure how your current salary increases are structured, but it will most likely take 3-5 years to gain the same 15% at your current job. Add in that the new job is with a large organization (more opportunities for advancement) and offers good benefits. I'd say take the new job.

I don't know your field, but post graduate degrees are primarily for advanced research or teaching (a full professorship almost always requires a PhD). Failing the compressive exam isn't the end of the world, but as you stated, you only have one more chance before dismissal.

I have a master of engineering degree, which, unlike a master of science degree, is a terminal degree with no path to a doctorate (unless I went back to grad school and started over). Even so, I suggest that you take the new job, take a break from school, earn enough money to keep your car away from the repo man, and then come back to the doctoral program fresh and with a good mindset. I wish you the best of luck. MTC

[Kkstarzz96]

The new job might have offered you the position with the idea in mind you would complete your program. I have a few employers interested in me but the qualification specially says graduate of so and so program. Even though I am near the end, I am not a graduate, and am actively trying to pass all coursework that is required, no matter how not ideal it is, specifically: my schedule that limits me from earning more unless I want to waste time and fail cause I actually have to have time to study, instead of earning. If you don't need your doctorate for what you are going to do at this job, then you could take the offer and take a break from school. I would focus on your health and paying back that car, but if you pass this comp knowing you can with your biggest effort, then it's worth it to delay your earnings and ask for help during this transition.