MBA = BMW

Don't seem like a likely equation to you? Think again.

The thought of continuing my education is recently one of the things I've been pondering about. Should I go back to school?

In case you didn't know, my long term goal in life (a few years ago) is to do it all the way - basically completing the whole education system, and ultimately become an academic. In what field? Don't know. But it's a long term goal right? Don't have to be so specific.

So there. While having a Biz degree doesn't equate the fact that I should do an MBA, MBA is the most logical progression for clueless me. Also, the branding of MBA takes you so much further than say a Masters in Philosophy, or any other Social Science, unless I want to teach.

At first, I thought of doing the Law Conversion program where I can take a year in this program and then it will be just the same as any law degree. Maybe because I was dealing with solicitors, I thought the idea of Law is quite cool. After all even though I can't say I've always wanted to do law, but it could be an option. Except that this means I will need to go 1 year here, and then another year back in NUS just to practice in Singapore (if I want to practice in Singapore). So I'd be going through all the trouble just to get a Bachelor's degree equivalent, not very enticing.

To be honest I haven't done any research as to which uni is good, how much exactly, when to apply, what to do - because I want to do that only after I have convinced myself I want to do it now. And after some quick calculation, the amount of loan I'd be taking up will be anything between $70,000 to $120,000.

Which is why I said BMW.

Is education a worthy investment? I tried to think of it in different respects:

1. Financially rewarding?
Let's be honest. In this dog-eat-dog world, it's the experience that counts. Subjected to the industry. In the financial industry, your papers still count. Having a good Masters degree from a reputable university is the way to buy into any prestigious graduate programs. Sure, if you had a 1:1 in your Bachelor, you could have gotten in too. But let's face it, that is already past and I did not get anywhere near a 1:1 so I have to let it go.

But

Do I really want this sort of lifestyle (let's just assume that it is possible for now)? The struggle to climb up the ladder, the 60 70 80 hour weeks, the kiss goodbye to friends and families, social life? The stress, the pressure.... the MONEY?

I can't answer.

And unfortunately it is not like I will have a choice after I graduate. If I decide to embark on this MBA, I jolly well have to get a well paid job so that I can pay back my debts. A very rough estimate shows if I repay $1,500 a month, it takes about 5 years. Which brings me to my second hesitation:

2. Bye Bye Singapore?

Let's be realistic. What kind of f*cking job can I get that will allow me to repay $1,500 and still have enough to spend in Singapore? Which means, the prestigious graduate program I hope to get into will most likely not be in Singapore, unless I so bravely and so freaking (un)luckily get into the world of the i-wankers (otherwise known as Investment Bankers), which, in the first place, I seriously don't have much interest in, which means I probably wouldn't apply for, and second, it isn't like you want to get in means can get in one loh.

That means I will have to kiss Singapore goodbye for a good few years until I repay my loan, or accumulated enough experience to command a certain level of wage back in .SG

But then again, given how cars depreciate 20% the moment you start the engine, and people spend hundreds and thousands per month just to be able to own a car, and I am more than willing to not own a car for the next 5 years, does that mean I should do it?

What do you think? Drop a comment, or write me an email for more privacy.