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See if you can get flex time at work — and then, as you (and Lance) pointed out, take some super-practical classes that will really add to your skills set in the workforce.

Sounds like a GREAT “dilemma,” darling!

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Though he has said some things lately that lead me to believe he might come around to my view a little more if I just wait…and there’s no harm in saving in the meantime. I only have a 2 month cushion in my savings account and would like to have 3-6 months’ worth of expenses saved, especially if we plan to move to a new city eventually.

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If you can either freelance OR take classes (to use the choices you’ve presented – obviously, there are many other things you could do with that time/energy instead & maybe one of those options is even better), then the opportunity cost of taking the classes is the money (and experience and networking) that you would have received had you chosen to freelance.

Option #1 sounds like it is “free and fun.” DD even calls it a $25 price for happiness. This is a false presentation of the choice (and to be fair, DD did admit bias).

It may be more interesting to take classes. It may enhance your job related skills in some way, though I’m struggling to see how this opportunity relates to that.

More education in your chosen field or an interesting tangential one is unlikely to make much of a difference for career advancement.

Community college, community adult education, or the local Y often offer courses that could teach you the same computer skills you’re currently delegating and shying away from.

[As an aside: I agree with Lance that an MBA might be the only type of degree program that would be career advancing and skills enhancing for you at this point, though I'd imagine you would really need to want to do this to commit to what amounts to a full time 2 year program.]

This is a choice between doing what’s more fun for you versus doing real work (even work that interests you). You’re tossing around ideas to maybe make the fun/interesting sound more connected to real work, career advancement, etc., but I just don’t see it, and I think you know this deep down.

That’s why you’re asking: do I follow my passions and what is exciting or do I ignore that to do the grown-up job?

I’ve lurked for a long while, but I’m chiming in here because you’ve asked for outside advice, and it looks like you’re getting the rationalizations in the comments that help you argue that by choosing fun, passion and excitement, you’re not “shirking” the important career/grown-up stuff. I can’t tell you what to pick or what makes more sense for you. But I can tell you that to the extent you’re trying to reason this out, the arguments for taking classes are suspect other than “it will be more interesting and fun.”

And for what it’s worth, I’m an academic. This is my career. I enjoy what I do, love some of it, like almost all of it. Nonetheless, I’m constantly faced with choices about when I want to do the fun/exciting stuff versus “real work.” I have found that because when I was a bit younger I chose the real work option more often (not all the time, though!), I now have the financial and job security to choose to follow my passions far more of the time.

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I think that the opportunity to take practically-free graduate-level classes at a university you are already at everyday anyway is pretty much the most amazing opportunity I can think of. If I had that option, I would take it in a heartbeat! Then again, I am in a completely different life situation than you right now, so I can’t say if that would really be the best option for you and your life/career goals.

There is something to be said for saving money, increasing your skill set, being marketable, etc…. but then again, there is something to be said for learning new things simply because they make you happy. And $25/semester is a pretty damn amazing price for happiness. : )

Good luck!

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The one degree I would consider is an MBA, mostly for the networking opportunities, but even there I’m hesitant. I’d much rather get a part-time internship or form a relationship with a business-savvy individual to increase my business acumen.

I’ve worked for Universities for years also, been in this position, and never took advantage of free classes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

@PTLawMom, what you say definintely makes sense. In addition to contract work I am sure I can pick up teaching some online courses either at the university where I work or one of the community colleges…beefing up my savings is definitely very important right now.

@Jessica, welcome! Glad you clicked over this way. One of the reasons that I am so torn is because you are EXACTLY right…academics is something I am very good at and comfortable doing. It’s hard for me to tell if I want to take more classes now because it will be better…or whether I am just choosing something that is easier for me. I am deeply suspicious of myself!

@fallgirly, yes I also feel like I can only intensely concentrate on academics for so long…perhaps I am tapped out and should concentrate on new things.

I talked it over with the BF last night after showing him my post, and he leans toward school…with the caveat that I do something I have never done before, like business, mathematics, or the sciences. He also said that if we moved to another state and I didn’t have a job he’d be fine supporting us both on his salary for up to a year as long as it was clear that I was trying to find a job (so I guess he’s no sugar daddy!). I did tell him that we might want to be married before moving if that was the case, since I don’t want to be without health insurance.

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