Advice - returning to education

shifty_uk · 16 Feb 2008 at 20:17

Over the past 6 months my head has been bursting with one question in mind 'what should I do(career wise)'. A little info: I studied multimedia design whilst interning for two years, I then dropped out short of completing my second year and gaining my qualification. I just couldn't picture myself sitting in a studio for the rest of my days. I then entered retail hoping to learn the business and then either go back to uni or pursue and establish my own business(s).

At the moment I'm still stuck in retail with two options: Return to education(studying Business) or get a higher paid job within another industry, which after a while would give me enough financial backing to go into business myself.

I'm just trying to weigh up the advantages of both options. Obviously education brings the social aspects(which I could really be doing with), the qualifications, more opportunities(sometimes) etc. At the same time I enjoy working hard, making money and I have a business idea in mind.

Any advice would be appreciated. Also, has anyone returned to education after working full-time? How did you find it financially?

hlw86 · 16 Feb 2008 at 21:05

I only took a year out between A Levels and Uni and found it REALLY hard. I was used to earning what was a decent wage and I then dropped to about a third of that wage by working PT at Uni.

However, I don't regret making the decision as I know I wouldn't do as well as I am now if I stayed in my finance job

hlw86 · 16 Feb 2008 at 21:06

Oh ... take into account any bills / credit cards you have as you will find it hard to keep paying these when working PT

shifty_uk · 17 Feb 2008 at 10:57

Thanks dude. I've not got any bills or credit cards at the moment so thats not really a worry for me. I was looking to get a car within the next 5 months though.

The main thing that worries me is that I could get bored again and end up dropping out. Also, business opportunities come and go, which is worrying me aswell.

blueboy2001 · 17 Feb 2008 at 11:58

If you're just going to study a generic business degree I wouldn't bother - I started one part time whilst running my own business and the practical use of anything I learned was minimal and most of it seemed like common business sense to me so I switched to Business IS which was far more interesting. I've got someone running my business and I'm doing contract project management work for Local Government these days which I enjoy at lot.

Something more specific like business finance or accountancy would be worthwhile and would stand you in better stead for running your own business IMO.