For Stephanie M.: My dog is adorable, is she not? Her name's CornPone. As for my job, it was a total fluke; in 2002, I was doing some salary research as part of the job I had at the time (which had NUTTIN' to do with greeting cards), and ran across an online ad for an editor position at my current place of employment. I wasn't looking for another job - I was happy where I was - but couldn't resist giving it a shot. And whaddaya know . . . ? It worked! So unlike my thesis considerations/potential, I didn't spend any time building up a skill set or resume for this job; it just sort of happened. People from all backgrounds do this work (we have former psychiatrists, former professors, musicians, homemakers . . . even a former nun), so it's less about your resume than it is about your talent and your instinct.

I am still an undergrad, but my best friend's mother also put off finishing her thesis (to raise her daughters). She did not finish the thesis in time, so she is now planning to go back to school in order to start all over again. If you think you may use the degree in the future, then go for it: you've spent all the time and money to get as far as you have, why not have it "just in case"?!

FINISH THE DEGREE. I've always regretted that I never finished mine.

A good thesis is a finished thesis. I would advise you to block out some time and finish it. Good luck!

Chandra - I know you are looking on feedback, but I wanted to ask you a question about your job as a Greeting Card Editor. My job is ending soon and I am not sure I want to saty in the field I am in. I would like to do something creative, fun...and I LOVE cards. I even make my own. I would like to know how you got your job as a greeting card editor. If you could steer me on a pth, I would be greatful! I wish you luck in whatever endeavor you choose! P.S. Your dog is a cutie!

It sounds as if you are happy with your life and career as it is right now. Don't feel pressured to return to school (half way across the country!) and your thesis if you do not think the time and effort involved in pursuing the degree will be worth it. I completed the same degree while in the middle of a difficult pregnancy and then first baby, and questioned myself the entire time. I haven't returned to that field, and still wonder why I put myself through the struggle to complete the degree. Trust your own instincts, not what others pressure you to do for yourself. It sounds like you have all ready made the decision after 9 years of it on the back burner!

Chandra Take it from a procrastinator--finish that degree. I'm 47 yrs old and there are so many dreams I had that I didn't pursue. I live a very lonely and unsatisfying life with no friends and a job that I put up with because I have to.

Don't do this for anyone, but you.

Go to Grad School! I am 10 years younger then you and I am starting Grad School part-time in August. Do it, you will not regret it.

You'll feel great once you complete that thesis and get your MA. Really! And as far as teaching, it's a wonderful career.

I finished my MA in English back in 2000 and struggled with the idea of teaching. I knew it was highly competitive to get a job at the college level, and I was happy as a journalist. So I picked up one class at a community college. I loved it.

In 2003, I was laid off from my job as a managing editor of a magazine. I took it as a sign to pursue teaching. I spent the next 4 years adjuncting, and it was a struggle.

But I'm finally a full-time English professor and it's wholly rewarding, despite the wait for tenure and all the related hoops to jump through.

There were times during my MA process when I wondered it if was worth it. I was taking classes while working full time and I just couldn't see the reward. But I'm so glad I did it now. I'm more fulfilled professionally than I've ever been.

You'll never regret having that extra education, and I have a feeling that if you're wrestling with that decision now, you will probably regret not going for it!

I had to reply to this because I am in a somewhat similar situation. I have completed my MBA and Masters in Accounting, but have not taken the CPA exam. It would be the 'final piece' in my education. The problem is I just do not want to do it! Also no time, no money etc. I am wrestling with letting it go or just trying to find the time to get it done. Right now, I'm leaning toward the letting go!

I should mention that I am not working in the accounting field, I am now in home health care and am considering starting classes to go to nursing school. My family and friends think I am crazy for doing this and I should 'stick to' accounting.

Good luck with your decision!

Hey -- if doing this was something YOU really wanted to do, you would not be wondering if you should or not. It sounds like you don't really want to bother, but the pressure of family is making you think it's the right thing to do. Do you really need more money? Is your job to make everyone else happy? I believe that once you give yourself permission NOT to finish it, you will have a big load off your shoulders -- then you can do what YOU want to do.

Go for it girl!! Its never too late to go back to school!

It seems like you should finish it because you've already started it! Go for it.

Go for the master's degree! It took me 5 years, one class a semester to get my master's. Although I don't have initials behind my name and no one calls me Doctor, I have a great feeling of accomplishment and having your master's opens up another avenue for you to pursue, should you choose to do that in the future.

I agree with others who say leave it go. You sound like you don't have solid plans to teach again. You just want it in your "back pocket" just in case... In case of what? Do you have a burning desire to teach? Sounds like "no" to me. For those who keep pressuring you, tell them its not about the destination, but its how you take your journey in life that counts.

Unless you would really enjoy going to class and would like to learn just for the sake of learning, let it go.

Hi Chandra,
It took me quite some time to finish my Master's Degree, but it was so worth it. I did not earn more money upon it's completion and I haven't even changed jobs yet, but I have to tell you, finishing was for me. I just needed to cross it off of my list of things to do in life. I work full time and went to school at night for 7 years. Now that I'm done, I somehow miss it, strangely enough!
Good luck!

Chandra, I think you should finish once and for all. I'm with your family on the idea that you're so close. If you weren't that close to finishing it would be a different thing. Jobs aside, the degree would also be for you.

You may feel very removed from previous work right now, but that's just because you've been away from it for a while. You may not realize how young 37 is, but it is young. There is plenty of reason to add the degree, so you'll have it for the future.

Best wishes.

I recognize that your life is solid but I believe you should finish for two reasons. First, it's unfinished business, a loose end and you'll always wonder "what if?" Second, you will soon join your mother and husband in that you will bug yourself. I'm an expert in unfinished business. I just retired and returned to college to complete my dream. I might be in my 70s by the time I finish but that doesn't matter. You're never too old nor is it ever to late to chase a dream or complete a long overdue project. All the best.

Chandra,
Do it only if you value the journey. Don't do it for a future job -that may change- think of teaching drums. If you value the time given to completing a degree then it is time that you give yourself and that is wise choice.

Chandra,
Leave it be. Continue on with the life you are now enjoying and finally let the strings go that are holding you back to that unfinished thesis. I had a hard time deciding if I would let go of my Emergency Medical Technician and Pharmacy Technician certs once I graduated with a degree in English and had moved on to be a mom and enjoy my new work. It took me years of renewing and a lot of fear that I "will regret this" before I finally let it go. It was the best thing I did. The stress of it hanging over my head was gone and I haven't once regretted the decision to move on in the new direction I had chosen for myself.

I don't think it matters how old your master's thesis is. That unfinished business might be one of your biggest regrets someday. Best of Luck to You.
P.S. I finished my Master's Degree at 40 years old.

Thanks to everyone who's offered advice so far! For the record, finishing the thesis (and the degree) would not (I don't think) involve any more course work or money, so that's not an issue. What is the issue is mainly time and, to an extent, drive. I keep in regular touch with two women from my program, who have not finished their theses (that is the plural of thesis, right? See? I don't even know anymore), either, and I remember a few years back being so jealous of one of them who told me she'd decided that she wasn't going to do it. I was jealous. The guts she had to just walk away! The freedom she had to make such a decision without anyone giving her a hard time about it (for me, it's not just the mom and the husband - see Comment #1, made by my loving sister)! Now, years later, my friend has decided that she's going to finish it, after all. Of course, she's not working right now, so she's got a lot more time . . .

It's never too late to continue your education. Our family is a perfect example of it. My husband went back to school to earn a degree after being in the work force 18 years. it didn't appear as if our oldest son would go to college, but he will graduate in December summa cum laude on the dean's list and our youngest is graduating from UCSB next month and immediately beginning his master's. So do what fits for YOU when it fits. Also - go to Italy as soon as you can! I went in October and it was life changing. My sister in law and I walked where Michelangelo walked and lived! The people, the food, the scenery are remarkable.