Completely burned out!?

[strube]

Hi everyone,

I have a venty question. Is this master's degree crap worth it? I am 1.5 years into it and can't focus at all - I just want to quit and get a real job. I haven't got any research done, let alone anything else, in about a month (I have just basically screwed around, which adds some guilt into the equation) and I am sure my adviser is wondering where the heck I am, and what I am doing to earn my monthly stipend. It seems like I am so close but yet so very far away. I am supposed to be done in August.

When I started (after 5 very difficult years of getting simultaneous EE and ME undergrad degrees) I was kind of excited about doing some energy research because I knew that would be one place I could always find a job, even in a crappy economy, and I liked gas turbines class so I figured I would like deeper gas turbines research. Now I can't even sit down to look at the stuff. I maybe should have changed scenery, 7 years is a long time to be at one school doing essentially the same thing day-by-day.

On top of all of that, I haven't had any theater or AV install or custom computer-build jobs (which were two of the things that really helped me relax, not to mention fund this AH hobby) for a very long time. In addition, there is no snow, so I can't blow off any steam by burning fossil fuels at a very high rate on a snowmobile.

We don't have any friends because they have all moved to bigger things, so that is sort of depressing, and I, for one, am somewhat inept socially so it takes me many years to foster a real friendship. I just spend my days staring at my research or homework and getting very little done outside of browsing the internet aimlessly and occasionally toying with the HT. My fiancee is probably pretty fed up with me too - we are supposed to be preparing for our wedding in June and I am pretty sure I haven't done my fair share there either. Sometimes I think I have forgotten how to work at something after working 18-24 hours a day every day to get my undergrad degrees - maybe I won't even be able to get a job...



Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I haven't been a member here that long, but you guys are pretty great.


Strube

 

[avaserfi]

I am finishing up my first year in grad school right now. In undergrad I worked my *** off and got three degrees (180 credits) and a minor in four years. Now I am in my master program with a pHD course. I have noticed one thing to do well and get through it you need to love the work, research and most of the classes. Along side that you need some escapes... As far in as you are I would personally try to finish, but I don't know what requirements there are for a thesis in your department. For mine, it would take about 1.25 years to write a really good one.

Ohh one other thing to remember, no better place to be than in school during these great (yeah right) economic times. As far as the fiancee goes I have been letting mine do all the work, but she likes it. If I was in charge we would be going to the justice of the peace and she would be pissed .

 

[Adam]

I feel ya, Strube. I got my Masters, and I basically didn't do squat in my fourth semester. However, the following summer was a painful experience because I had to do all the work that I blew off the previous four months.

Whether the Masters is worth it depends on where you go to work, how long you stay there, and where else you want to work later on. Some companies care, some don't. When I started work in the 90s, I got paid a little (little) bit more for a Masters, but nothing else. Some companies start people with Masters at a higher starting position than a Bachelors degree would rank.

If you're already 1.5 years into it, I'd say finish it out. Get past the burn (when it feels right), get focused and back in the game, and wrap that bad boy up. Like Andrew said, being in school in this economy isn't a bad thing - and having a Masters almost surely won't hurt your chances of getting a job afterwards.

 

[pzaur]

It all depends on your field. I have to get a Master's for pay scale movement. Some people find great use out of them and others never use a thing taught in the class.

Just started mine this semester and I'm looking at a pay scale freeze, possible pay cut, loss of stipends, and a possible fight for my job, in the near future, with morons higher up who wish to tinker with something that isn't broke.

-pat

 

[Tomorrow]

That's a tough one, strube. It sure sounds like burn-out to me. It's a dilemma for sure, and you're not alone with it. It's a common disease, I think, amongst students.

Remember that I'm old.....

I quit after 1.5 years into my MS. It was for (maybe) a different reason than burn-out...the late '60's offered other approach-avoidance activities. I just neglected to do my master's thesis. I started an alternative school and other community organizing activities instead, and I immersed myself in something that DID engage my interests and yearnings.

Yes, many years later I DO regret not having finished it up, but only because of personal discipline issues. I have lots of things I regret not having completed. The last 5% of any project is the hardest part! But for this discussion, the lack of a masters degree NEVER hurt my career moves or salary desires at all.

Having been through some personal battles...my suggestion is always to spend your time doing what you want to do and for your own personal reasons. Never because it's expected of you or is another's recommendation. That's how you become productive. That way, you'll always be interested in what you're doing and probably excel at whatever it is.

Best wishes.

 

[DonBattles]

Its for some and not for others. I myself was never one to crack open the books but I know how to work hard and work smart. While most of my friends were toiling away at the books I was working full time and making pretty good money. By the time they started Grad School I had three houses that were rental property. By the time they received their Masters I sold those homes, flipped a few more, paid for my home in full, have the kids college funds all squared away and am on track to retire by age 55. I'm 41 now by the way. Now you may be curious how the others made out, some good some not so good.
So whats the point of all this? It's simple IMHO. If your not truly happy and passionate about what you are doing then maybe it wasn't right in the first place. My Grandfather once told me to do what you love and do it well but not to let my career define who I am. So think things a bit and I'm sure you will find the path that will lead to where you truly want to go.

 

[itschris]

Finish what you started. Burn out is nothing new, it part of the cycle. You encounter various levels of it throughout your life and the different stages of your career, your homelife, and everything else. You need to have the ups, downs, and in betweens to fully appreciate the moment when things are at their very best.

It's become very difficult to succeed in our society without either higher education or a solid trade for which there is demand for a unique or scarce skill. I would never say that an education is wasted. I'm in the finance industry and I have degrees in Finance and Economics. It's true that I don't singularily use the things I learned in class, but what college can teach you is discipline.. and that my friend is virtue you cannot live without. You have the choice to walk away, or stick it out. Talk to most very successful people, and I'm not just talking financiallly successful or people with executive management carreers, but people who are just successfull in their day to day life. The one take away you find common with all are the intangible characteristcs they have such as strong character, drive, integrity, and perserverance. I firmly believe that due to the very things you're stuggling with today, you'll build upon the foundation you've already started of those characteristics. You're on a good path. Stay on course.

 

[Midcow2]

Strube - Stick with it you will be glad you did !!!!

Strube- Stick with it, you will be glad you did.

I got an MBA at night while working. The company paid for it. I had an BSEE undegraduate degree and basically had to go back and take all of the core course so I ended up taking 60 hours. I am glad I went back and got it. Did it make any difference at my company ... well no! However, If I had of wanted to change jobs it would have certainly helped.

Keep with it ... just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And in today's economy and job market having a Masters, will be that extra edge that gives YOU the edge over other applicants and the JOB!

I know it is probalby not your music and not really mine either, but they say Mozart is good brain music. Sit down relax listen to Mozart (or some good music ) and tell yourself of all the benefits of sticking with finishing the degree.

Good Luck!

MidCow2

P.S. - Like Tomorrow ..I am old .. but hopfully a little wiser and experienced and if you ask me the key business question ""If you had it to do over again would you do the same thing?" and the answer is YES

 

[jamie2112]

I was going to school to get a engineering degree and sound bug had already set in. Needless to say I quit school and got into live sound. Now the funny thing is I am making more money than ALL of my friends that went and did 4-6 years of collage. The job market is full of unhappy robots and sorry friends that just ain't me. My friend Tony got a masters degree in electrical engineering and he works for BG&E here in MD and he is always complaining how he wishes he got into something he loved. I am not going to tell you to quit and do what makes you happy, thats just what I did. I could never do something that makes me unhapphy or questioning if I am doing the right thing.Life is too short to work at a job that makes you feel bad IMO of course. That being said I would suggest taking a ggod look at what you really want to do with your life. Mine will never be filled with "what if's" best of luck to you Strube..Don't be a robot.....

 

[rnatalli]

A Master's may help you, it may not, but it certainly won't hurt. If you were just starting, I'd suggest you examine your options, but you're expecting to be done in August so the opportunity cost between now and then is pretty low. Plus, you won't have to worry about re-doing it later should you decide to. Suck it up and stick it out.

 

[Midcow2]

I was going to school to get a engineering degree and sound bug had already set in. Needless to say I quit school and got into live sound. Now the funny thing is I am making more money than ALL of my friends that went and did 4-6 years of collage. The job market is full of unhappy robots and sorry friends that just ain't me. My friend Tony got a masters degree in electrical engineering and he works for BG&E here in MD and he is always complaining how he wishes he got into something he loved. I am not going to tell you to quit and do what makes you happy, thats just what I did. I could never do something that makes me unhapphy or questioning if I am doing the right thing.Life is too short to work at a job that makes you feel bad IMO of course. That being said I would suggest taking a ggod look at what you really want to do with your life. Mine will never be filled with "what if's" best of luck to you Strube..Don't be a robot.....

But Jamie you are an exception Most people aren't near as good as you at being one of the Best Sound Engineers And on top of that you like your job

 

[jamie2112]

But Jamie you are an exception Most people aren't near as good as you at being one of the Best Sound Engineers And on top of that you like your job

I was simply giving another perspective on the OP. I don't feel like I am exception to the rule at all. I simply chose not to put myself in the workforce rat race. I have times throughout the year where I don't make any money but the times I do certainly make up for it. That being said ,Strube you only have a couple of months left to get your degree....heck I might even have gone that route if I only had a short time left to obtain my goal......Do what makes you happy is my advice.

 

[lsiberian]

Strube-You are too close to quit. You are over analyzing and over thinking this. You need a break. Yes. I suggest getting in the outdoors and sleeping under the stars a few nights. You can always sleep in your front yard in a tent. There is some guy that does that to raise money for the homeless. Fresh air puts the man pack into me. Walk more outside. See the sunlight. Or open a window. I don't care if it's freezing. Maybe you will bust a pipe and have a new project! lol

I never understood the people that worked that hard in my classes. I got nearly the same grade with a lot less effort. It's not how hard you work that matters it's what you get done.

Hey and the last semester is always the hardest.

As far as the Fiancee goes, just do to her what she loves and she won't care how much you help. If you need to give input. Use the tried and true No, No, Yes when picking between options. Works like a charm.

I didn't realize I was one of the 3 members getting hitched.

 

[strube]

Thanks for your insight and support guys. It is all good advice and is greatly appreciated.

Regardless, I will have to get my head on straight and finish (I cannot accept more or less wasting 1.5 years of my life), even if it takes me a while to get back into things, plus I am sure I would regret it if I bailed. That said, you definitely have a good point Jamie. If I get out and get a real job and hate that too, I will definitely find something I love to do - I might even be able to go design some AV gear - that's why I got the BSEE, right?

As for your listening advice MidCow2, I only have a little bit of Mozart, but it may do me some good to go with a bit less Tool and Nine Inch Nails and a bit more Mozart and Chopin and the like (and Guster) in general

 

[Pyrrho]

Whether the Master's degree is worth it or not depends upon what you want to do. In my case, I would not have been able to get a job I wanted at all without at least a Master's degree, but you must decide what you want.

Usually, people who give up near the end of a degree end up regretting it, but not always. You must figure out for yourself whether you will regret it or not. If you are not sure, then do not quit, because, as I already said, most people regret it.

It sounds very much like you need a break, and this is normal. If you can manage to spend some time unwinding, that would be great. Doing things that involve exercise are usually good, such as going for a hike in the woods, but you must decide what is going to work for you. If you are not sure, try the hike in the woods.

Make sure you take care of basic things, like eating right and getting enough sleep. If you don't, you won't feel right no matter what you do.

If you had come to me for advice before, I would have told you not to plan your wedding so close to when you are planning to graduate. Both things are stressful, and both are such that you don't need any extra stress from anything else. It is no wonder you are feeling too much pressure. My advice now is to be honest with your fiancee about what is going on, and tell her that your studies do not allow you to be very involved in the wedding decisions at this time. She will either understand this or not. But it is better to find out if she is understanding now than after the wedding. You, of course, must be fine with whatever decisions she makes without you regarding the wedding, so make sure you participate to the extent that it matters to you.

And Mozart was a genius. And Bach:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Brandenburg-Concertos-Lamon-Tafelmusik/dp/B000002AQ4/

Sometimes, it is good to listen to soothing music, and other times, it is good to listen to music that thoroughly vents one's emotions. There is nothing like:

http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Requiem/dp/B0000040W1/

played fairly loudly, in a darkened room, to give way to being depressed. Sometimes, going with an emotion for a while can help get rid of it, instead of trying to sooth it away with gentleness.

On music, you must, once again, decide for yourself what will help you and what will not.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Always get the best education you can. That being said, the most successful guy I know just has an Associates....

 

[lsiberian]

Strube, I must add this. You were not made or created to make speakers for a living or even setup home theaters. We have far great needs and issues pressing on our society and you are one of many electrical engineers needed to solve these difficult problems. You only see the small part you play, but without you these problems won't get solved. Every army needs soldiers and every country needs engineers. And not those that chicken out or quit, but those who stick to it through the hard times. No great invention happened without hard work and dedication. No one contributed to history by simply making one speech without years of dedication or preparation. And there are countless like you that have through the ages contributed to solving our world's greatest and most heartbreaking issues. I know you may not be a man of faith as I, but even still you can't deny someone or some force is propelling humanity to greatness. It's easy to lose sight of achievements in a negative world, but they are being made. And every small step or solution is one more step closer to our final destiny. Don't give up or lose hope. You can and will succeed. No engineer goes through his training without losing sight once, but if he fights through then he will be better for it. Remember to never work for money only, but work to make the world a better place to live and to improve the lives of everyone. By helping everyone else you will in the end do more for yourself. Don't lose sight. Your life is about to enter a golden age.

 

[sparky77]

1.5 to 4 years is really nothing when it comes to education, you already spent 13 years for your basic education to get a high school diploma, don't give up just yet. I graduated my freshman year of highschool, and went on for 4 graduate degrees, and have yet to find a permanent job, I float from one job to the next, but always manage to come out good in the end. Don't give up. People with no idea what they want to do, end up like Ross Perot or Bill Gates.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I did my undergrad in mechanical engineering and then just found a nitch and its worked out great so far. You won't be wasting your time with education, it really is time well spent...but like Jamie said, don't just go there to get a pay raise and enter the race because that's an endless battle. You have to find a nitch and have a passion....

...Without passion in what you do, you'll end up calling it a job and jobs suck.

 

[strube]

Strube, I must add this. You were not made or created to make speakers for a living or even setup home theaters. We have far great needs and issues pressing on our society and you are one of many electrical engineers needed to solve these difficult problems. You only see the small part you play, but without you these problems won't get solved. Every army needs soldiers and every country needs engineers. And not those that chicken out or quit, but those who stick to it through the hard times. No great invention happened without hard work and dedication. No one contributed to history by simply making one speech without years of dedication or preparation. And there are countless like you that have through the ages contributed to solving our world's greatest and most heartbreaking issues. I know you may not be a man of faith as I, but even still you can't deny someone or some force is propelling humanity to greatness. It's easy to lose sight of achievements in a negative world, but they are being made. And every small step or solution is one more step closer to our final destiny. Don't give up or lose hope. You can and will succeed. No engineer goes through his training without losing sight once, but if he fights through then he will be better for it. Remember to never work for money only, but work to make the world a better place to live and to improve the lives of everyone. By helping everyone else you will in the end do more for yourself. Don't lose sight. Your life is about to enter a golden age.

Very elegantly put. I didn't get into this game just to quit, and I didn't get into it just to make money. I feel I have much to contribute to society (even without a masters, but I am not giving up on that, either). As for not losing hope, it is just a darker moment, and I will pull through it, thanks in no small part to the advise and support of family and friends - wiser people (yourself and all who have shared their insight included).