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Originally Posted by All Systems Go
3) I want to start an MSc in Economics in September.
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As an Honours student in Economics at the moment (graduating at the end of the semester ... i hope!
), i have the following to say.
Economics, at its very simplest essence, is all about decision making. You use mathematical and statistical techniques and methods to assemble the available information. You then use some theory to guide you to compare the various costs and benefits, and then you reach a decision (to typically maximise said benefits).
You're presently studying some Politics. Generally, i would suggest that you should drop that and do Economics because you'll never get a job doing politics. However, you already have a job in that field, which means you're already in the top 5-10%. This is a good thing.
Thus, the main benefit of doing economics over politics (ie, being able to get job once you graduate), has been negated. Therefore, do not do economics.
Problem sovered.
On a similar note, once you've been in that job for a year or whatever, submit to higher management that you're very interested in expanding upon your horizons in a relevent field. Demonstrate that greater knowledge about general economics would lead to improvements in your capacity as an employee in this that and the other way. Then suggest to them that you could complete a masters degree in economics on a part-time basis, and that it would lovely if the firm could go some way to financing said human resource development. Suggest that the result of this is that you would definately stay with the firm for another xy amount of time to make such an investment in your education beneficial to the firm.
That way, you still have your job. You get your education in economics to assuage you interests. Further, you may even get them to pay for (part of) the bill (which is large). It might take more time, but its probably time well spent. Particularly if you end up liking where you're working.
Clearly, it has potential problems (you need to like what you're doing, you need to demonstrate that you are a diligent worker in that year, and you need to show clealy how greater formal understanding of economics will assist you in your role, and you need to show that you're interested in staying with the firm with whom you have your job for the medium term [equire about management roles perhaps?]. How you go about this will depend on a lot of things, and will probably present a major challenge. However, compare these costs to the expected benefits!
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