Need some career advice from the older members of the board.

[GT]

[Miscue]

If the pay/benefits are about the same... I would pick the one I liked the most. I prefer lower stress/pleasant surroundings over slightly higher pay.

[SlartyBartFast]

Seems it's down to two questions.

Do you want the advancement possibilities at B or the money at A?

Which atmosphere do you prefer, Laid back with some annoying personalities or competitive?

It would seem B might be the better choice (given the limited info). Unless competition turns you off it can keep you on your toes and force you to continually develop. This will keep work interessting. Lack of advancement may counter act the higher pay quickly (depending on time till advancement). With little or no advancement, what's the point in continuing your studues? At B it would seem if there's advancement they'll recognise your extra studies. Toxic personalities in a laid back non-competitive atmosphere can make work hellish. Usually with a lack of advancement and competition these personalities develop as an alternate way to build little kingdoms. Definitely something to avoid if that's the case.

But you say A is more in your field of study, so it depends what you plan on doing after you finish your advanced degree.

HTH, it's a personal decision that onoly you can really acess correctly.

[ShooterJM]

Pretty much depends on you man. What's important, what do you really want, and quite frankly, how good are you?

Right out of school I was kinda of tired of stress so I took a really laid back job with decent pay but not much advancement. Now I'm recharged and looking to jump back into the fray again.

[Fred]

While I don't know what choice you should make about A or B, what I can offer is this:

Skip the MBA and get something a little more specialized. You can't throw a rock without hitting someone with an MBA when you're in line for a job. Knowing how to manage in theory, and actually manage are totally different things (which I think you know because of your work experience). Getting a Masters in a more specialized field makes you more valuable to potential employers, and will actually benefit you better than an MBA.

I'll be finishing my first professional degree (Masters of Architecture) in 04, and I'm gonna be going for another Masters in Industrial design or something similar to that... simply because it broadens my specialty, and will make me a valuable commodity for companies to fight over...

Good luck!

---Fred

[SlartyBartFast]

I'll second the advice about the MBA. Only take it if you have a specific need for it. But then again it's all about what you want from your career and where you see yourself in 10, 15, 20 yrs.

Depending on the career however multiple Masters degrees won't make you all that much more valuable. At some point you're either over qualified, or someone with real world job experience is more valuable than someone with the extra education.

Fred, duie to the above, I hope you have a specific career/job in mind or are working while studying.

[GT]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have no idea what I want to do in 10 years. I am so afraid that if I make a wrong choice now I will be screwed for the rest of my days.

anywyas thanks for all the info I am waiting an offer from A. I will be sure to post and update


jb