Going back to graduate school or hitting the job market?

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A350XWB
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21 Apr 2016, 4:31 pm

First off, I know the (entry-level!) job market is often unforgiving to those who studied a certain discipline and acquired some skills that are useful in another area, even for NTs. In that arena, job postings often state that they ask for a degree in another area that they didn't formally study in (e.g. a physics graduate that knows they can excel at a job where a posting for it usually asks for a degree in computer science or engineering) regardless of what transferrable skills they possess and how they can transfer them from an area to another. But someone with an ASD will have an even harder time. Even so, I know that there is only so much one can talk about in a cover letter.

Oh, of course, my parents would rather have me do accounting but I do not think the job prospects for accounting will be good anymore in my local job market by the time I obtain a CPA. However, a CPA vs. a PhD would take the same amount of time in my situation, because that would amount to starting another undergrad from scratch, as well as undertaking some graduate-level work, and also I know long-term happiness depends on the pursuit of one's passion and, from there, doing something that better respects one's personality and skills. :D

I have dropped out of graduate school in physics after attending that particular school for only one semester due to medical problems (and, of course, so that I can take better care of myself). Now, from the moment I applied to PhD programs for the first time, and the moment I dropped out of graduate school, I published two papers based on work done during my masters. (The second paper will appear in the Journal of Mathematical Physics either in April or May) Yet that second paper makes me lean towards going back to graduate school (i.e. transfer) knowing that, if I go back to graduate school, either in Canada or in the US, all I can mention is that I started a PhD program and left because of "medical issues" or "extenuating circumstances".

What else must I consider that I haven't already? If you need additional information, please let me know.


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btbnnyr
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21 Apr 2016, 9:04 pm

Have the medical problems been resolved?
If so, going back to graduate school would let you continue doing what you like intellectually.
Accounting seems far from your interests, would probably be boring if you are used to physics research.


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