Anyone know which grad degrees are most useful?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by PyramidsofMars

I know that academics work their asses off. I've seen them do it. They also do it in a field they love. I know I hate the corporate world. It isn't even a matter of 'those corporate s!', it's really more a matter of my finding the whole thing extremely dull. Everyone talks about the 'real world', and I just don't undertand why I should accept being bored for the rest of my working life the 'real world'. I dunno, maybe academia is really just what I was meant to do. Maybe I should try a field that has less competition, like psychology, neuroscience, or even film studies. Not saying those paths are easy, just that they don't seem to be (based on talking to people in those fields) to be as competitive as English.

40k doesn't even seem like too bad a salary to me. All I need is a roof over my head, books to read, a television set, and enough money left over to buy some good beer and nice cigars now and then

You want 40K? Just be a manager at McD's then.

[PyramidsofMars]

Originally Posted by Shazam

You want 40K? Just be a manager at McD's then.

but that's boring.

I dunno, maybe I should open a bookstore or something.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by PyramidsofMars

but that's boring.

I dunno, maybe I should open a bookstore or something.

If you aim low, you'll get low. Most low paying jobs pay low because they suck and can be filled by simpletons.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by amorak

I suggest an MBA and then an accounting designation such as a CA if you just want to work an easy 9-5 and make comfortable money, with spare time and spare cash to pursue your interests in your spare time.

I am a 25 year old CA with an executive role in town here and easily make 6 figures a few times over without having to give up a home life.

Business is where it's at.

Your career path and income are an exception to the rule. It's not as easy as you're make it out to be, especially considering your youth. I imagine you at least had contacts prior to getting in your position; there is absolutely no way a 25 year-old just waltzes into a six-figure income executive position working the bare minimum hours per day. I'm 26 and I have never seen any of my fellow Haskayne grads do that anywhere.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Your career path and income are an exception to the rule. It's not as easy as you're make it out to be, especially considering your youth. I imagine you at least had contacts prior to getting in your position; there is absolutely no way a 25 year-old just waltzes into a six-figure income executive position working the bare minimum hours per day. I'm 26 and I have never seen any of my fellow Haskayne grads do that anywhere.

Yeah, Amorak probably works for his dad.

[IliketoPuck]

I'm a Haskayne Finance grad, and it took me a bit of time to figure out what I wanted as well.

I've decided on the CFA route, which is alot of work, but it is something that I find extremely interesting, so the work isn't that bad because the end result is desirable.

The corporate career path is not easy to climb, and secondary education is a must. After my CFA, I might consider an MBA as well. But I want to eventually get into an upper management role with a large O&G company.

It's all about trying to define where you want to end up 5,10 years down the road, and then determining what decisions you need to make to set yourself up for the best chance at success.

[amorak]

bizzxoin!k

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by amorak

I am not saying the OP can 'waltz' into such a gig, but as others have said - academic life is no pick-nick either. If you work hard for a few years, you can very easily, as Vlad appears to ahve done as well, get yourself into a role where you work nice, steady hours and earn a very livable income, all while having spare time to enjoy your true passions - That was the intent of my post, not to toot my own horn...

But...toot toot! Ohh, I wrote my age wrong in my first post, I'm much older...I'm 26.

I did not do this.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I did not do this.

That's why you're my idol.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by amorak

That's why you're my idol.

Meh. I have yet to figure out what it is I really want to do. I can score in the 99th percentile on any aptitude test (like LSAT or GMAT), but that is a pretty useless skill, unless you want to be a professional student...

[amorak]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Meh. I have yet to figure out what it is I really want to do. I can score in the 99th percentile on any aptitude test (like LSAT or GMAT), but that is a pretty useless skill, unless you want to be a professional student...

Sorry, I didn't mean for the 'idol' comment to be taken as a dig - I actually wish I didn't have to put up worth 4 years of hell (otherwise known as articling) to get to a place where I am financially comfortable, like you were able to!

[Red_Baron]

Originally Posted by amorak

A little charisma and the ability to show the value you can add goes a long, long way.

Completely agree.
Your degree is just a foot in the door, it's what you do once inside that defines where your job takes you. Many Geologists are currently unemployed due to the downturn, many of them are higher up the academic ladder than me but don't understand or cannot convey what it is that makes a geologist valuable to a mining company. I am well above the average salary for my position in general and much higher than the average for level of experience.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Meh. I have yet to figure out what it is I really want to do. I can score in the 99th percentile on any aptitude test (like LSAT or GMAT), but that is a pretty useless skill,

Gets you into MENSA, and parties at Catherine Ford's house.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by amorak

No contacts - I do confess I come from decently well off family, but only in a medical field - No business contacts.

I worked 90+ hours articling at a big 4 firm for 4 years before I used all I learned while specializing in Oil and Gas to parlay that into a consulting gig I have with a few companies in town.

I admit, and am proud, that I've done better than many, but I didn't ride anyone's back. A little charisma and the ability to show the value you can add goes a long, long way.

I am not saying the OP can 'waltz' into such a gig, but as others have said - academic life is no pick-nick either. If you work hard for a few years, you can very easily, as Vlad appears to ahve done as well, get yourself into a role where you work nice, steady hours and earn a very livable income, all while having spare time to enjoy your true passions - That was the intent of my post, not to toot my own horn...

But...toot toot! Ohh, I wrote my age wrong in my first post, I'm much older...I'm 26.

That's pretty good, but I just want to get my facts straight. You earn a six-figure income (a few times over), you have a CA and an MBA (and obviously an undergrad degree), you've articled for four years working 90+ hours a week (which assumes some additional Law school courses were taken and you were done all your degrees / certifications by about age 22) and you have an executive position?

That's incredible - I've never seen anyone excel in their career so quickly. You must be superhuman, I'm nowhere near those kinds of accomplishments at the same age!

[HelloHockeyFans]

Agree with those who are saying that the degree only goes so far - in the end, it absolutely comes down to the individual and how lucky the individual is (to a certain extent). Being in the right place at the right time with the right people goes a long, long way, and as mentioned does often come down to luck, but I do believe this luck is often created by the person too.

If you're talking about getting opportunities (with a good salary), getting an MBA is a good choice... but colleges and universities across North America have been pumping out a lot of MBAs over the last 10 years, so competition with similar credentials is definitely up.

Off topic and unrelated to post-graduate studies, going the self-employed route is absolutely the way to go in my opinion. I did this a while back and after building a solid network, you make really good money (if that matters to you) with a very flexible work-home life balance since you are the boss. Obviously, incorporation gives you significant tax advantages as well. The biggest thing here is to create that kind of reputation for yourself of being the expert that clients turn to when they have work that needs to be done.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

That's pretty good, but I just want to get my facts straight. You earn a six-figure income (a few times over), you have a CA and an MBA (and obviously an undergrad degree), you've articled for four years working 90+ hours a week (which assumes some additional Law school courses were taken and you were done all your degrees / certifications by about age 22) and you have an executive position?

That's incredible - I've never seen anyone excel in their career so quickly. You must be superhuman, I'm nowhere near those kinds of accomplishments at the same age!

I don't know what he knows, but I'll do the same thing for half the price!

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

That's pretty good, but I just want to get my facts straight. You earn a six-figure income (a few times over), you have a CA and an MBA (and obviously an undergrad degree), you've articled for four years working 90+ hours a week (which assumes some additional Law school courses were taken and you were done all your degrees / certifications by about age 22) and you have an executive position?

That's incredible - I've never seen anyone excel in their career so quickly. You must be superhuman, I'm nowhere near those kinds of accomplishments at the same age!

The part that confuses me is articling for four years.

[Winsor_Pilates]

I would recommend getting a job and not going straight to grad-school. Based on your outlook for the job market, and your expectations of salary need (only $40K), I think some real world job experience will change your life.

We've all felt a little lost after finishing grad school, and I was also considering doing more school right away when I finished mine.
Ended up getting a job instead, have been in my industry for 3 years, love it, and have figured out a lot about what I want and how to get it.

Even if you end up in a job you hate, that doesn't pay well, it's still valuable experience and will help you figure out what you really want.

[Rathji]

1. Skip grad school
2. Start a porn website.
2. ???
3. Profit!!!