Should I stay or Should I go?

[Brandorama]

Hi Everyone,

I have a dilemma. I have recently graduated from University with a degree in international marketing. I have been lucky enough to find a job working for a design and branding company called Threerooms. I have been working there since the end of my course on an internship and now they have offered me a full time job as sales and marketing executive. The problem is that I have also been awarded full funding to go back to University to study for a PhD in political marketing.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think it is time to get experience? Would you take the fully funded PhD? It boils down to experience or education?

It would be nice to hear your opinion?

Chris

[mark611]

with a PhD you would make more money, but its going to take some time. in your current job you can try and work your way up to a better salary.
You should base your decision on what you want to be doing in the long-term. do you want to be at your current job 5 years from now?

[Mack]

Learning is very good and also earning. Is it not possible that complete phd after some time when your package will get incremented.

[Brandorama]

Unfortunately it is now or never. The opportunity for funding will only count for this year. If I choose not to take it, I will have to pay for the whole PhD out of my own pocket. Again it boils down to experience or education?

What are marketing directors/brand managers looking for today in this incredibly competitive world?

Chris
Threerooms.com

[Birmingham]

boils down to your confidence. if you feel equipped enough to go it alone into full time work then go for it. but if you still feel the need to be sheltered by further academic qualifications to enhanse career opportunities then go back to uni.

personally i'm not the uni type - i'm the entrepreneurial type. but some people can't think for themselves and i'd advise these people to play it safe. which do you think is safest? experience or qualifications?

if i were you, and you were good at uni-style studying, i'd probably go back to uni and still offer to work a few hours per week for your company. if your company values you enough they'll love the suggestion. if they can't afford a part time employee the offer to do something like a couple of hours per week, flexible, but voluntary work (unpaid, or maybe for small tax-free expenses towards your travel/refreshments)

[Brandorama]

With more and more people qualifying with degrees in today's world, one has to stand out against the competition. I realise if I take the PhD I will be out of full time work for 3 years. I will put it to the company about me working part-time and see what they say. It would be great for me to gather a little experience if I did decide to study.

Then again the full time experience would be great and would allow my skills acquired from University to flourish. What industry are you in Birmingham UK?

Chris
threerooms.com