Q. I graduated with a B.A. from a top college in June and started a master's course (in a non-journalism-related field) this fall. It hasn't taken me long to figure out that the program, and academia in general, are not right for me, and I'm eager to get back to what I've realized I really want to do -- journalism, and writing more generally --
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and stop sinking time and money into a program that's making me unhappy. I'm tempted to leave the program now (and possibly take some time off to travel and freelance before jumping into the job market).
But I'm worried about what message leaving a graduate program will send to prospective employers. Will it hurt me in the job market if I leave the program? How would I explain such a decision to employers?
Thanks,
Confused Grad StudentA. Cut your losses.
Do you really want to spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars so that you won't have to explain why you left grad school?
Better to follow your instincts and explain the rationale for your decision. Your explanation might actually score more points with some employers than the degree would.
Coming Tuesday: After 10 years on the same job, it feels like it is time to start looking or run the risk of never being able to move.
