Considering withdrawal from part-time Masters Degree to focus on a new job

P

PoundMan

Registered User
Messages
279
Hi folks, really struggling with this and seeking some thoughts and opinions or advice.

I am in my mid-30's and have worked in IT Technical Support roles in the Public Sector most of my career. By 2022, I had become burnt out with my career and could see that I had almost become trapped in an IT Helpdesk role with no real opportunity to progress beyond my current grade 5 pay scale. Since 2022, I have been studying towards a career pivot/transition from the IT Helpdesk into the field of Cybersecurity. I have completed various professional certifications and also returned to academic education by successfully completing a part-time level 8 higher diploma in Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance through the Springboard+ initiative.

It is my preference to remain in the Public Sector, but I hadn't anticipated that there would be so few Cybersecurity jobs in the Public Sector. I was successful in an EO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service, but at the 11th hour I was told that they wouldn't match my current grade 5 (Local Authority) salary as they deemed it more in line with a HEO grade. So I then applied for a HEO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service and didn't even qualify for an interview since I didn't have the required number of years of experience in a dedicated Cybersecurity role. So I found myself in the very difficult position of not having enough experience for anything other than an entry-level Cybersecurity role, yet I couldn't afford to accept such a role due to the significant pay cut from my current role.

Not wanting to give up, I decided to pursue a part-time level 9 MSc in Cybersecurity Management again through the Springboard+ initiative. Having completed the level 8 HDip, I thought I would be well prepared for it, but I have found it extremely challenging to keep up with the workload from a time-management point of view. I am currently in the process of moving house, which has added an additional layer of stress. Having never lived away from my parents before, I am striving to become more domesticated and manage my own home. On top of all that, I have caring responsibilities for a profoundly disabled parent living miles away, so I am long-distance travelling on a regular basis. I have already faced the penalty of losing marks for submitting some of my assignments late. I spoke to my course director to explain that I was considering withdrawing from the course as I am really struggling to cope with the demands. Unfortunately, since it is a Sprinbgoard+ funded course, there are no options to defer. I was worried that withdrawing would permanently bar me from future funding, but Springboard assured me that I could reapply after two years.

Given that there were no sideways steps in terms of Grade 5 Cybersecurity roles, I decided to start applying for Grade 6 Cybersecurity roles in the Public Sector mainly to gain interview experience. To my surprise, on my 2nd interview, I successfully finished first in the order of merit, and I will be officially offered a grade 6 Cybersecurity role with a Local Authority in early 2025. I was only really doing the Masters degree to try to help land a job, but now that I have finally landed the job, I am wondering if it is even worth putting myself through this struggle any longer. Rarely have I encountered a job application that lists a level 9 MSc as an eligibility requirement, and even in those cases, it only appears as desirable criteria rather than essential. I am also starting to get imposter syndrome since I will be stepping up from a grade 5 to a grade 6 into a new field of Cybersecurity that I have never worked in before. This has me thinking if it might make more sense to withdraw from the MSc to focus on learning and adapting to this new job role and gaining practical experience actually working in Cybersecurity as opposed to worrying about adding more educational qualifications at this point in time in my career. My only lingering concern is that if I drop out, I might never return to pursuing an MSc, or I might not have the time due to potential child-rearing obligations. As I struggle to finish this first semester, I can't imagine how I'll finish the next three. I wish the decision was simpler, but my family and friends are worried about my mental health and believe I've taken on more than I can handle.
 
PoundMan said:
Hi folks, really struggling with this and seeking some thoughts and opinions or advice.

I am in my mid-30's and have worked in IT Technical Support roles in the Public Sector most of my career. By 2022, I had become burnt out with my career and could see that I had almost become trapped in an IT Helpdesk role with no real opportunity to progress beyond my current grade 5 pay scale. Since 2022, I have been studying towards a career pivot/transition from the IT Helpdesk into the field of Cybersecurity. I have completed various professional certifications and also returned to academic education by successfully completing a part-time level 8 higher diploma in Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance through the Springboard+ initiative.

It is my preference to remain in the Public Sector, but I hadn't anticipated that there would be so few Cybersecurity jobs in the Public Sector. I was successful in an EO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service, but at the 11th hour I was told that they wouldn't match my current grade 5 (Local Authority) salary as they deemed it more in line with a HEO grade. So I then applied for a HEO competition in Cybersecurity with the Civil Service and didn't even qualify for an interview since I didn't have the required number of years of experience in a dedicated Cybersecurity role. So I found myself in the very difficult position of not having enough experience for anything other than an entry-level Cybersecurity role, yet I couldn't afford to accept such a role due to the significant pay cut from my current role.

Not wanting to give up, I decided to pursue a part-time level 9 MSc in Cybersecurity Management again through the Springboard+ initiative. Having completed the level 8 HDip, I thought I would be well prepared for it, but I have found it extremely challenging to keep up with the workload from a time-management point of view. I am currently in the process of moving house, which has added an additional layer of stress. Having never lived away from my parents before, I am striving to become more domesticated and manage my own home. On top of all that, I have caring responsibilities for a profoundly disabled parent living miles away, so I am long-distance travelling on a regular basis. I have already faced the penalty of losing marks for submitting some of my assignments late. I spoke to my course director to explain that I was considering withdrawing from the course as I am really struggling to cope with the demands. Unfortunately, since it is a Sprinbgoard+ funded course, there are no options to defer. I was worried that withdrawing would permanently bar me from future funding, but Springboard assured me that I could reapply after two years.

Given that there were no sideways steps in terms of Grade 5 Cybersecurity roles, I decided to start applying for Grade 6 Cybersecurity roles in the Public Sector mainly to gain interview experience. To my surprise, on my 2nd interview, I successfully finished first in the order of merit, and I will be officially offered a grade 6 Cybersecurity role with a Local Authority in early 2025. I was only really doing the Masters degree to try to help land a job, but now that I have finally landed the job, I am wondering if it is even worth putting myself through this struggle any longer. Rarely have I encountered a job application that lists a level 9 MSc as an eligibility requirement, and even in those cases, it only appears as desirable criteria rather than essential. I am also starting to get imposter syndrome since I will be stepping up from a grade 5 to a grade 6 into a new field of Cybersecurity that I have never worked in before. This has me thinking if it might make more sense to withdraw from the MSc to focus on learning and adapting to this new job role and gaining practical experience actually working in Cybersecurity as opposed to worrying about adding more educational qualifications at this point in time in my career. My only lingering concern is that if I drop out, I might never return to pursuing an MSc, or I might not have the time due to potential child-rearing obligations. As I struggle to finish this first semester, I can't imagine how I'll finish the next three. I wish the decision was simpler, but my family and friends are worried about my mental health and believe I've taken on more than I can handle.
Click to expand...
There’s never an easy time to do an MSc part-time, particularly in such a technical subject. I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself in terms of the effect it’s having on you.

You seem to have a lot going on and yet you’ve got a level 6 job in your chosen field in your preferred public sector, despite not having any direct qualifications. What’s the problem?

You’ll probably get training in your new role which will represent great value both immediately and in terms of your future career prospects in the area. It’s potentially of more benefit than the MSc. You’re doing the MSc to get the job you’ve just got so why torture yourself unnecessarily?

The Springboard programme may offer the opportunity to put your studies on hold, particularly given your requirement to care for elderly parents. Is there any chance you could complete year 1 and put year 2 on hold pending a change to your circumstances?

In any event, if you never complete an MSc, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s tough going and it’s no shame to leave it incomplete.

If I were you, I’d concentrate on the new job, try to complete year 1 if I could, put the programme on hold if I could and return to it in the future if/when circumstances allow for it. You have a lot going on at the moment.
 
If the MSc is offered on a part time basis, is it module based? If so, I'd press them a bit harder, to see if you can slow it down - not defer, entirely, just do less modules per semester.

Even if that were to result in you having to pay for the final one or two modules, I'd be trying to stick with it, as if I dropped out, I' d never go back.

If you ever consider leaving the public sector, I think the MSc will stand to you - as it may do if not specified criteria for a particular job in the public sector.

For what it's worth, I once found myself in a similar situation - felt burnt out, frustrated with the sacrifices I had been making, stretched at work etc. I stuck with it (reluctantly) and completed my MSc. To this day, I'm glad that I did. Granted, I could have done a bit better with some of my grades, but that's a secondary issue.
 
Last edited:
Salvadore said:
There’s never an easy time to do an MSc part-time, particularly in such a technical subject. I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself in terms of the effect it’s having on you.

You seem to have a lot going on and yet you’ve got a level 6 job in your chosen field in your preferred public sector, despite not having any direct qualifications. What’s the problem?

You’ll probably get training in your new role which will represent great value both immediately and in terms of your future career prospects in the area. It’s potentially of more benefit than the MSc. You’re doing the MSc to get the job you’ve just got so why torture yourself unnecessarily?

The Springboard programme may offer the opportunity to put your studies on hold, particularly given your requirement to care for elderly parents. Is there any chance you could complete year 1 and put year 2 on hold pending a change to your circumstances?

In any event, if you never complete an MSc, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s tough going and it’s no shame to leave it incomplete.

If I were you, I’d concentrate on the new job, try to complete year 1 if I could, put the programme on hold if I could and return to it in the future if/when circumstances allow for it. You have a lot going on at the moment.
Click to expand...
I have enquired, and sadly, with Springboard-funded courses, there is no option to defer anything. I spoke with my course director, who advised that modules could only be deferred upon successful application for extenuating circumstances, but I was told that is very difficult to receive approval for without it being a medical issue supported by a doctors letter. Having caring responsibilities for a disabled parent is unlikely to be sufficient since I would have known about such circumstances before starting the course.

MrEarl said:
If the MSc is offered on a part time basis, is it module based? If so, I'd press them a bit harder, to see if you can slow it down - not defer, entirely, just do less modules per semester.

Even if that were to result in you having to pay for the final one or two modules, I'd be trying to stick with it, as if I dropped out, I' d never go back.

If you ever consider leaving the public sector, I think the MSc will stand to you - as it may do if not specified criteria for a particular job in the public sector.

For what it's worth, I once found myself in a similar situation - felt burnt out, frustrated with the sacrifices I had been making, stretched at work etc. I stuck with it (reluctantly) and completed my MSc. To this day, I'm glad that I did. Granted, I could have done a bit better with some of my grades, but that's a secondary issue.
Click to expand...
The problem is I actually feel like I am too far behind now that it is impossible to catch up without being late at submitting every single remaining assignment of this first semester. I would end up being penalised 10-20% on each assignment, which would see me finishing the semester with a much poorer score than I would want. I don't feel like it is worth doing an MSc if I can't do it justice. I don't want to just scrape a passing score by the skin of my teeth, I would want at least a 2:1 if a 1st class honours wasn't possible.
 
You now have the job you wanted so your issue boils down to your pursuit of the MSc.

It seems to me that a scraped pass in the circumstances would be better than no qualification at all but to each his own. If your domestic pressures are considerable, you’re putting considerable pressure on yourself if a 2.1 is your minimum acceptable outcome.
 
1.You got the job you've always wanted - well done you!

2. Finish your MSc. Think about it like competing in the High Jump, all that matters is that you cleared the bar. In 3 years time no one will care if you scraped over with an inch to spare, or cleared it by a foot.

3. Can you get additional help / care for your parent? Pay for it if necessary, until you finish your studies.
 
PoundMan said:
I have enquired, and sadly, with Springboard-funded courses, there is no option to defer anything. I spoke with my course director, who advised that modules could only be deferred upon successful application for extenuating circumstances, but I was told that is very difficult to receive approval for without it being a medical issue supported by a doctors letter. Having caring responsibilities for a disabled parent is unlikely to be sufficient since I would have known about such circumstances before starting the course.


The problem is I actually feel like I am too far behind now that it is impossible to catch up without being late at submitting every single remaining assignment of this first semester. I would end up being penalised 10-20% on each assignment, which would see me finishing the semester with a much poorer score than I would want. I don't feel like it is worth doing an MSc if I can't do it justice. I don't want to just scrape a passing score by the skin of my teeth, I would want at least a 2:1 if a 1st class honours wasn't possible.
Click to expand...
Extensions to submission dates are often easy to obtain - granted, they may only push the deadline out by a week or two, but every little helps. I'm speaking from experience here, as you can probably guess.

I'd also still submit a request to defer a few modules, despite the opinion given - the worst they can say, is no.

I agree with the comments from others above, no one really cares about the grade you got in your MSc, they recognise that you completed it, particularly while working full time.
 
I agree with @DannyBoyD. Nobody asks what you get in your Masters. I nearly turned myself inside out trying to get a first in my Masters while caring for 4 kids, working full time, commuting nearly 4 hours a day and caring for an ungrateful selfish parent. I got a 2.1 and no one ever asked. The Masters didn't make a huge difference to my pay but it gave me confidence to stand up for myself more in my position and I feel I get more respect (even if that is in my own head it is worth it). My Masters was Springboard too. It is a fantastic opportunity to get a level 9 without the huge costs. Put yourself first and get it. Aim for a pass. The person you have caring responsibilities for possibly has other options. I actually walked away from the person I was caring for and put myself first. You only live once. Well done for getting the job you want despite the obstacles. You are working in a great and increasingly important area. Open your mind to the private sector. It is more progressive in my opinion than the public sector.
 
Do employers value an MSc for experienced hires these days? They seem to be a requirement for a lot of entry level roles now, but if you have the job offer you want, why do you need the MSc? I wouldn't be afraid to quit something that has a considerable cost and no real payoff, that's just good decision making. If your life is so busy, you are not going to even get the self improvement benefit of actually studying something interesting. To me, stressing out and working to just scrape a pass as a means to an end, but for something you don't even need, seems completely pointless.
 
DannyBoyD said:
The OP is mid-thirties; I believe it will stand in them good stead when it comes to future promotions.
Click to expand...
Within the public sector? Are academic qualifications considered for experienced people in the public sector to move up, I wouldn't have thought so? OP can probably figure that out in their role. I don't think academic qualifications matter in industry either, where it's based on job performance normally or experience in a role when hiring, qualifications are just considered for entry into a role. An MBA might be the exception if trying to move up in management.
 
PoundMan said:
my family and friends are worried about my mental health and believe I've taken on more than I can handle.
Click to expand...
PoundMan said:
Springboard assured me that I could reapply after two years.
Click to expand...

These are the two most important aspects of the whole situation, the first being your health and then the option to reapply in two years.

All new jobs have a settling in time, usually about six months, so continuing with the studying will just be another pressure. You will get a handle on the job in the 2 years, be able to devote 100% to it, and then see if the MSc is totally necessary.

Another way of looking at it is, yes it would be great to have both, but if you had to choose, long term which would you prefer to have, the job or the MSc.

Whatever you decide to do best of luck with your endeavours :)
 
Thanks for the feedback folks. For the record, if I was unclear earlier, I have been studying Cybersecurity courses since 2022 but I've only been doing this Masters Degree since September of 2024. So I'm only in the first semester and would still have another three to try to get through in order to finish the Masters in 2026. Just wanted to clear that up in case any of you were of the impression that I was almost finished the Masters.
 
no body asks or cares what score you got on your masters. I did my part time in similar circumstances, but realised I was falling into the trap of needing to be perfect. i suggest try to finish your masters. knuckle down. things may change with your circumstances, and give it another six months or so
well done on getting the job
i didn't need my masters at the time, but after a few years, lo and behold, going for interviews, the masters was key, as i wanted to progress upwards. most people at interview at masters. so think ahead
 
RonnieShinbal88 said:
Within the public sector? Are academic qualifications considered for experienced people in the public sector to move up, I wouldn't have thought so? OP can probably figure that out in their role. I don't think academic qualifications matter in industry either, where it's based on job performance normally or experience in a role when hiring, qualifications are just considered for entry into a role. An MBA might be the exception if trying to move up in management.
Click to expand...

Why would you not think so?

"...Over half of all public sector workers are in professional occupations, compared to about 12 per cent of those in the private sector, and about half of public sector workers have a third level qualification, compared to about one-quarter of private sector workers..."

The days of never opening a book again once you have a job are fading fast. You'll competing with people with a litany of qualifications and recent certifications. More so in the public sector and even more so in IT.
 
As a few people have said above, 20 years ago I struggled through a part time very technical masters in a boom time busy job and thought about quitting it all the time. Now it’s always on the CV and profile and LinkedIn etc. since then degrees are massively devalued and masters are much more common, if anything they are now the equivalent of what a degree is, across industry and public sectors. Of course it doesn’t ‘matter’ but most higher ups in any organisation have them in some form and they know it’s not ‘that hard’ as they did it. It also shows grit, determination and hard work to have been able to do it. You’ll get it thrown in your face the odd time that such and such has a master in this and ‘so do I’ cuts that right off. Just don’t be the one that says it to begin with! ticks off a box and also since you are moving into the area more it will give you a more solid grounding also. You have to assess for yourself can you get though it and how easy you can make it.

I often say to people I’d never advise to do a Masters part time as it’s so tough, but if I had it to do over I’d still do it again.
 
"You’ll get it thrown in your face the odd time that such and such has a master in this and ‘so do I’ cuts that right off."

This.
 
AlbacoreA said:
Why would you not think so?
Click to expand...

Because in my experience internal promotion is normally based on performance in the job, demonstrating the ability to lead etc. There are often defined KPI's. And someone doing a 2 year part time masters if anything is likely to underperform in their job, because they are tired and have to leave early or at random times etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leo
RonnieShinbal88 said:
Within the public sector? Are academic qualifications considered for experienced people in the public sector to move up, I wouldn't have thought so? OP can probably figure that out in their role.
Click to expand...
There's a substantial emphasis, implicitly, on academic & professional qualifications in public sector recruitment, by virtue of the competency / capability framework that applies (in a very formulaic way) to competitions for recruitment / promotion.

It seems like you may not be familiar with the process for public sector competitions?
 
torblednam said:
It seems like you may not be familiar with the process for public sector competitions?
Click to expand...
I have only limited familiarity alright, although I won one of these myself. OP states their new job is at Grade 6, looking at an example of advertised requirements for a grade 7 role, academic requirements just cover leaving cert and the desirable column lists undergrad degree. All the other requirements seem to be experience, competency and skills, pretty much in line with my own expectation of what would matter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top