Cannot make job/gradschool decision

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process of a computer science student regarding whether to accept a job offer in Beijing or pursue graduate studies in Chinese language. Participants explore the implications of each choice on language fluency, career trajectory, and personal life.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that taking a year off for work might lead to losing momentum towards graduate school and questions the likelihood of returning to academia after establishing a life in Beijing.
  • Another participant suggests that pursuing graduate school immediately after undergrad is often advisable, as entering the workforce might create a dependency on salary that could hinder future educational pursuits.
  • A different viewpoint indicates that the primary motivation for working in Beijing would be language improvement, with the job serving as a means to that end, rather than a long-term career commitment.
  • One participant notes the importance of having a graduate school offer before making a decision, highlighting the uncertainty of the student's current situation regarding school acceptance.
  • A later reply clarifies that the student has been informed of the possibility of late applications for graduate school, adding complexity to the decision-making process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of working versus attending graduate school immediately. There is no consensus on the best course of action, as opinions vary on the risks and benefits associated with each option.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the student's acceptance into graduate school and the potential impact of personal circumstances on the decision. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about career aspirations and the value of immediate versus delayed education.

Tony11235
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Hi I'm a computer science student graduating this semester. As of now I don't mind taking programming related jobs or IT related jobs, but I want to eventually be a language analyst/translator/interpreter as well in Chinese. I've had a few years of Chinese and lived in Beijing for a few months. I'm planning on applying to a grad school for chinese language, but then I have a job offer at an IT company in Beijing (btw the pay is great for a graduate with just a BS in Beijing, poor for american standards). As of now I am not sure whether to just go and work there for a year or so, and then come back for grad school, or to go straight to grad school assuming I get accepted somewhere, and work over the summer. I am not sure whether I should depend on living in China for sometime to make improvements in my chinese fluency or rely on the grad school work to improve it more. Or should I just not even pursue this? and just work? I can't decide. Any suggestions?
 
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The biggest risk in taking a year off of school is losing your momentum and never going go grad school. Once you start to establish a life in Beijing (job, friends, girlfriend, income, stuff you love), are you sure you'll be able to leave it all behind and go to grad school?

Of course, you know yourself better than we do regarding whether you're likely to give into the temptation to remain in Beijing once you spend a year there getting established.
 
Someone once told me if you truly want to go to graduate school, better to do it right after undergrad because once you enter the working world, you could end up being addicted to your salary and find it difficult to give it up to go back to study later down the road. And this becomes even more important if you start raising a family.

On the other hand, you don't have a school offer yet, but you have a job offer. You can't do grad school now if you haven't been accepted by any school.
 
I don't think I would have any kind of urge to stay in Beijing. If I would choose to go to Beijing, it would be with a purpose: the language side of it, from which you unconsciously benefit from. The job side of it, for me, is just my way of getting there, although it benefits my resume.
 
makethings said:
Someone once told me if you truly want to go to graduate school, better to do it right after undergrad because once you enter the working world, you could end up being addicted to your salary and find it difficult to give it up to go back to study later down the road. And this becomes even more important if you start raising a family.

On the other hand, you don't have a school offer yet, but you have a job offer. You can't do grad school now if you haven't been accepted by any school.

Actually I was told specifically BY the school I applied to that they are accepting late applications for the fall. But, that's the not the point.
 

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