Education Or Vertical?

What a dilemma. I moved to Grand Forks, ND to pursue the coveted MS in environmental geography, and am struggling with the age old question: Is it worth the loans, stress, aggravation, and long hours when the rewards are (potentially) a job I don't love, and occasional accolades from professors when something actually goes right rather than wrong?

As a life long skier, I have fought the urge to head west every year as an undergrad, to stay in Minnesota and finish, and upon completion of the BS, I felt compelled to keep going. However, now that I'm both in grad school and somewhat employable, I am pulled more than ever to the mountains.

I could really use some input.

Thanks. :confused:

Vertical. Nuff said.

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Originally Posted by Random Task

it worth the loans, stress, aggravation, and long hours when the rewards are (potentially) a job I don't love, and occasional

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If you don't love the job, that is a serious problem!

Take the vert.

Finish your degree then get the vertical.

OR

Take a winter or two off while staying in school during the fall/summer semesters.

Don't skip the diploma. You'll need it in the long run.

Choosing the vert is a "cash out" - cash out's only come in a limited supply. But are redeamable whenever you want them. The optimum cash out would take place hand and hand with a career plan. The mountains will always be there.

If you've got the mo', I'd go for the education. I'm glad I got my degree when I did. Going back to school now is inconceivable. Career and family would make going back to school hell. Once you make a transition to a new life, it is tough to take a step back.

Only you can make this call young Skywalker.

How much do you need to finish for your degree? I'm done in May and then out of MN I go... I have lots of relatives that live in ND and it sucks even more than MN, I feel your pain.

The only thing that would keep me here is family.

Go for the Vert. You could stay in school But while you are there getting your degree we will be here skiing your vert. And what if while you are there, one night you get lucky with that oh so hot blonde sorority girl and at the same time you blow up like St. Helens billy bob has to slams on the breaks to miss bambi, you and the blonde fly through the windshield smashing your brains on the road. That would be bad cuase then you never got to ski the vert.

Sierra-
Sage advice indeed.

Crash-

I just started the first semester of a 2 year program, provided I get my thesis done in a timely fashion. I applied to programs in the west, but UND offered a free ride and research opportunities, so here I am.

Does anyone out there who has gone the master's/PhD route recall vast swings in motivation as part of their "course of study"?

Oh, and yup, ND can suck, but when it's not windy as hell, raining, or both, I can get in some disc golf and Mtn. biking. er, flatland biking (jumping off curbs doesn't count does it?)

Ranger- LMFAO

if you don't like what you're studying, just leave, its not worth it.

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In 1999, Rob finished medical school and became a doctor - all while bagging 100+ days per year skiing. It left the rest of us wondering - "what have we been doing for the past 4 years".

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but Random Task can't get the vert and the education at the same time.

Choose the vert. You're only young once.