Leaving the Job and Starting a New Chapter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a member's decision to resign from their job to pursue full-time studies in Mechanical Engineering (ME). Participants share their thoughts on this transition, expressing support and sharing personal experiences related to leaving secure jobs for educational opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • A member expresses excitement and anxiety about leaving a secure job to return to school full-time for an ME program.
  • Some participants offer encouragement and share their own experiences of leaving jobs for further education, indicating that they do not regret their decisions.
  • One participant mentions contemplating a similar decision, highlighting the challenges of balancing work and education.
  • Another participant reflects on the importance of taking risks for personal growth and acknowledges the support of their spouse in their career transitions.
  • A member describes their previous job as an operator in a chemical plant, providing context for their career background.
  • Several participants express good wishes and support for the original poster's academic pursuits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of pursuing educational opportunities despite the challenges of leaving secure jobs. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the feasibility and implications of such a decision, as some express uncertainty about their own similar aspirations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the difficulty of managing work alongside academic commitments, indicating varying levels of support and personal circumstances that influence their decisions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a transition from work to full-time education, those interested in pursuing degrees in engineering, and members reflecting on career changes may find this discussion relevant.

S_Happens
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I turned in my letter of resignation yesterday and two weeks from tomorrow I'll be unemployed.

I quit to go back to school full time. I posted a https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=464314" back in January, but I was able to work through the semester and take the two classes. I did well, worked all summer, and got accepted into the ME program. My classes start on Monday and I have 6 semesters to go.

I'm both excited about the opportunity and anxious about leaving a very secure job that I actually enjoy quite a bit. That said, the job isn't all gravy and I won't ever have a better opportunity to go back, so I'm taking it. I worked hard for the past 4.5 years to make this possible and I know there's still a lot of hard work ahead of me (albeit quite different).
 
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Good luck S!
 
I hope you enjoy your studies S! What are you going to study?
 
Mechanical Engineering
 
Ah, that explains the ME in your post :biggrin:
Have fun with it!
 
It is never easy to leave a secure job, but I know you have made a major step forward in your life! No regrets! Have fun!
 
It's a difficult step in the right direction, congratulations, now you have the momentum, let it carry you far. Good luck!
 
S_Happens said:
I turned in my letter of resignation yesterday and two weeks from tomorrow I'll be unemployed.

I quit to go back to school full time. I posted a https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=464314" back in January, but I was able to work through the semester and take the two classes. I did well, worked all summer, and got accepted into the ME program. My classes start on Monday and I have 6 semesters to go.

I'm both excited about the opportunity and anxious about leaving a very secure job that I actually enjoy quite a bit. That said, the job isn't all gravy and I won't ever have a better opportunity to go back, so I'm taking it. I worked hard for the past 4.5 years to make this possible and I know there's still a lot of hard work ahead of me (albeit quite different).
Best wishes and good luck with your academic pursuits!
 
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Good luck! I've been contemplating the same idea here recently. Let me know how it goes. I have about 6-8 classes and I'll have my degree in ME. Easier said than done with working a huge amount of hours with no extra help at work. Best of luck! I know it will work out for you:)
 
  • #10
Good luck, S_Happens. It's unsettling to leave your comfort-zone, sometimes, but it is often necessary to your growth. I have been very fortunate to have a wife that is very supportive and who has faith in my abilities, so I've been able to job-hop freely in order to pursue the best jobs that were available to me.
 
  • #11
Good luck SH. Hard to achieve something without taking risks, I wish you it will pay off :biggrin:
 
  • #12
I did the same thing a few years ago when I left my job to go to grad school full time. I don't regret it one bit.
 
  • #13
Your previous job was?
 
  • #14
mcknia07 said:
Good luck! I've been contemplating the same idea here recently. Let me know how it goes. I have about 6-8 classes and I'll have my degree in ME. Easier said than done with working a huge amount of hours with no extra help at work. Best of luck! I know it will work out for you:)
Good luck to you to, mck!
 
  • #15
Good luck S!
 
  • #16
Good luck!

Yesterday was my last day at my job. After working full time and taking 15 credits a semester for the past 4 semesters, I just can't do it anymore. Now I get to give my final year of undergrad my full attention.
 
  • #17
S_Happens said:
I turned in my letter of resignation yesterday and two weeks from tomorrow I'll be unemployed.

I quit to go back to school full time. I posted a https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=464314" back in January, but I was able to work through the semester and take the two classes. I did well, worked all summer, and got accepted into the ME program. My classes start on Monday and I have 6 semesters to go.

I'm both excited about the opportunity and anxious about leaving a very secure job that I actually enjoy quite a bit. That said, the job isn't all gravy and I won't ever have a better opportunity to go back, so I'm taking it. I worked hard for the past 4.5 years to make this possible and I know there's still a lot of hard work ahead of me (albeit quite different).

Soooo...can I have your old job :biggrin:?
 
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  • #18
Nice username but don't think of your situation like that. Sounds like you got a good plan.
 
  • #19
flyingpig said:
Your previous job was?

I am an operator in a chemical plant. I control/monitor a process used to make olefin (alkene) monomers used for making plastics as well as a few other things.


WatermelonPig said:
Nice username but don't think of your situation like that. Sounds like you got a good plan.

It's a play on the 2nd law of thermodynamics rather than a pessimistic statement.

It must be time to leave because this weekend I've been unable to access PF from work. :bugeye:
 
  • #20
Astronuc said:
Good luck to you to, mck!

Thanks! :)
 
  • #21
Thanks for all the good wishes everyone. I'm packing up everything right now for the first day of class tomorrow.

mcknia07 said:
Good luck! I've been contemplating the same idea here recently. Let me know how it goes. I have about 6-8 classes and I'll have my degree in ME. Easier said than done with working a huge amount of hours with no extra help at work. Best of luck! I know it will work out for you:)

I'll keep you updated. For me I know this is the right way to go. I couldn't drag it out over many years, even if my schedule would allow it. Best of luck to you as well.
 
  • #22
  • #23
All the best S!
 

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