Going back into university and leaving the bank. What do you guys think?
I’m looking for some outside perspective from people who changed careers or went back to school later in their 20s/30s.
Right now I work in a fairly stable customer-facing job with good benefits and long-term security if I stay. On paper, it feels like the “safe” option, and part of me worries about walking away from that stability. It also has eaten a fair amount into my mental health with how people have treated me these past years and it’s created a substantial amount of resentment toward the job.
At the same time, I already have a software development diploma and was recently accepted into university to continue my education in a technical field that interests me a lot more long term. My plan would likely be to attend part-time while continuing to work and transition gradually instead of making a huge leap all at once. Issue is I’ve applied for a transfer twice despite having two years of experience and have been denied the same role I’m in which is starting to make me a bit anxious.
I also received a fairly substantial scholarship that may end up covering close to half of my tuition over the course of the program, and I was granted a large amount of transfer credits from previous schooling, so I’m not starting completely from scratch.
The thing I’m struggling with is the fear of unemployment or making the wrong decision. Staying where I am feels safer financially, but I also don’t know if I can realistically see myself doing it forever.
For anyone who’s been in a similar position:
- Did you regret leaving a stable path?
- Was going back to school worth it?
- How did you balance security vs long-term fulfillment?
Just trying to think realistically about the next 5–10 years of my life.