Job vs Higher Study

Kushaagra Goyal · 2016-04-20T20:43:07+00:00

I am about to complete my Btech in Electrical Engineering in 2016. I have a job offer from Samsung Korea (pays about 140k USD). Also I have got a MS offer from Stanford. I am not able to decide what should I pursue next. 1.) If I go for M.S , then I would get a similar paying job after that, so it feels like my two years in MS could be a waste. Also there would be a huge financial loss. 2.)But I also do not want to let go of an opportunity to go to Stanford for higher studies. In terms of career prospects, I wish to return to India after gaining foreign exposure for 4-5 years. So which is a better option in terms of future prospects in India: 1.) Going to Stanford and studying for two years and then doing job for two years in US and returning to India. 2.) Working for 4 years at Samsung and returning to India. In the second case I will be financially well off (about 2 crores) but I may have developed less intellectually.

Job vs Higher Study

Kushaagra Goyal
@kushaagra-goyal-3ovITt

Updated: Oct 26, 2024

Views: 1.4K

I am about to complete my Btech in Electrical Engineering in 2016.
I have a job offer from Samsung Korea (pays about 140k USD). Also I have got a MS offer from Stanford.
I am not able to decide what should I pursue next.
1.) If I go for M.S , then I would get a similar paying job after that, so it feels like my two years in MS could be a waste. Also there would be a huge financial loss.
2.)But I also do not want to let go of an opportunity to go to Stanford for higher studies.

In terms of career prospects, I wish to return to India after gaining foreign exposure for 4-5 years.
So which is a better option in terms of future prospects in India:
1.) Going to Stanford and studying for two years and then doing job for two years in US and returning to India.
2.) Working for 4 years at Samsung and returning to India.

In the second case I will be financially well off (about 2 crores) but I may have developed less intellectually.

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Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Apr 20, 2016

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Kushaagra Goyal
but I may have developed less intellectually.
Could you tell us what exactly on your mind when you say that?

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 21, 2016

Kaustubh Katdare
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Could you tell us what exactly on your mind when you say that?
I think language could be a barrier in Korea which can hinder my prospects and growth in the company.

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S.m.Al-Razi

Member • Apr 21, 2016

Study in stanford.. ☺

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 21, 2016

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Any reasons for this preference?

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Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Apr 21, 2016

I think the real value of Stanford education comes from the strong alumni network. Unless you've strong desire to opt for higher studies and have the 'Stanford' stamp on your degree; my suggestion would be to opt for Samsung. You haven't mentioned how much would Stanford education set you back by in terms of money; but I'm pretty sure it's not cheap by any means. The total cost of opportunity is : 2 Years + lot of money + EMIs that will follow. Not that they'll create a burden on you; but I don't think it makes sense if you aren't getting 2x-3x the job your job is ready to pay now and maybe after 2 -3 years.

You've already set your mind to returning to India and I'd rather hope that you are firm about your plans. If you've to repay the bank loans, you'll likely have to stay in a foreign country for longer period.

I think in your current situation, opting for the job looks to be a wiser decision. Do let us know what you decide and I'm sure you'll do absolutely great. All the best!

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 21, 2016

Thanks for your detailed answer. The total cost of opportunity is estimated to be around 2 crores. (2 year salary savings + money spent on education).

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Shashank Moghe

Member • Apr 22, 2016

You can always defer your admit by a few semesters. May be join Samsung, see if the pay and the subsequent savings are really as much as what they have offered (and you have calculated). If they do not, go to Stanford after a year. If they do and after a year you have no desire left to go for higher education, the choice is simple. Although, if the money is as per your expectations and you still want to opt for higher education after that year, Stanford is waiting for you. In which case, you can also fund a part of your education at Stanford from the savings you made in Samsung.

Note: Check if deferring your admit is allowed. Most US universities I came across allow that, but check anyway.

All the very best!

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 22, 2016

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Stanford EE department do not allow deferred admission. Your idea was the first thing that came to my mind, but on enquiry they refused offering any deferred admission 😔.

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Shashank Moghe

Member • Apr 22, 2016

Too bad. Another option would be to re-apply post your job exp. If you can get in once, the Samsung R&D experience will only boost your application (I hope) the second time around. Just a thought. Btw, is this a funded admit? If it is, the burden of decision on you might ease off a little .

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 22, 2016

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No, it is not a funded admit. Decision would have been surely much easier if it had been a funded admit.

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Shashank Moghe

Member • Apr 23, 2016

Kushaagra Goyal
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No, it is not a funded admit. Decision would have been surely much easier if it had been a funded admit.
I see, what is the I-20 amount? Did you accept the admit and receive the I-20 yet?

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Kushaagra Goyal

Member • Apr 23, 2016

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I20 amount is 78000 USD. I have accepted the offer but not applied for I20 yet. I will apply for I20 after I finalise where I will go.

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Shashank Moghe

Member • Apr 25, 2016

$78000 is a big number. Tough call. It looks like a win-win, but this is something only you can and should decide. A very very big jump in assumption: If you were to let Samsung know you have an admit for Stanford, would they be interested in sponsoring your education (of course with a future internship+work contract with Samsung)? The stakes are very high, so take my opinions as ramblings as I do not want to bias your decision.

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