Husband[29] wants me to stay in current job but I[29] have a chance to return to school

Relationships

My husband Tim and I have been together for 4 years and married since October. We met during college at a time where we were both struggling. Tim was very unhappy in his engineering major and I was an accounting major in deep depression. Tim had to take a semester off, but returned to finish a bachelors in nursing. He graduated this spring. I ended up leaving school and worked to help pay the bills while Tim was in school full time. Tim's parents also helped us by paying his portion of rent while he was a full time student. I never managed to graduate.

I was a high achiever honors student in high school who fell apart during college. I was incredibly depressed and anxious. During sophomore year I was diagnosed with bipolar II(the depressed kind) and struggled for years to get the depression under control. I had to work full time while being a full time student and I just couldn't manage both. I always felt stupid, confused, and I just could not do my coursework. Tim was supportive when I dropped out my senior year and promised that he would help me if I wanted to go back to school. I spent a few years working in low wage office clerk type jobs that I hated.

Eventually I managed to get a job working in a quality engineering department in their test lab. I've been in this job for a year and a half. Overall I like the work and the environment. My bosses love me. During the past year I finally found a medication regiment that keeps my depression in check and got diagnosed and treated for ADHD. I finally feel smart and capable. My performance at work has also improved dramatically. My boss has offered me an opportunity to move into a senior role within the lab and is willing to give me training. My husband really wants me to take this job, but I'm not sure. The salary I am being offered is between $35k-$40k. I know this is generous considering I have no relevant education or experience, but I understand that I can't easily move up or change companies without applicable education.

Now that Tim is working full time as an RN we could probably afford for me to quit work and be a full time student. It would take two semesters for me to complete my degree. As a bonus I now qualify for academic forgiveness if I enroll as a full time student at my university which would wipe out any F's and D's on my transcript which would really boost my GPA. I would be able to graduate with a Bachelors in Accounting from one of the highest ranked business schools in my state with guaranteed admission into their Masters of Accounting program to complete the 150 hours needed to become a CPA in my state. I feel like I could really excel in my classes now. Also, becoming a CPA is probably my best shot for decent salary.

Tim has not been supportive of this plan. He has told me to do whatever I want, but he's made it clear that he would prefer that I take the promotion offered by my boss. He doesn't want the stress of being the primary breadwinner. I also feel like he doesn't have faith that I could succeed academically. Tim would really like for us to start a family within the next year so I know he's worried that we couldn't afford children if I was not working. Additionally, he would like to enroll in a nurse practitioner program in the next few years and my return to school might delay his enrollment. I know that he will be disappointed if I do go back to college. I feel guilty because I know that if I don't go back I will have let myself down but I feel selfish for wanting to spend the money plus lost income to finish my degree.

I don't want my husband to resent me for turning my back on my current job opportunity. I have a lot of guilt and shame about not finishing my degree. I also feel like I would be foolish to turn my back on a pretty good job opportunity. I don't know how we can find a solution that we can both support.

TL;DR Husband wants me to take a promotion but I want to finish my degree

ETA: My job will not allow part time employment. Enrolling part time will not allow me to have GPA forgiveness. My GPA would remain too low for me to be eligible for hire at every accounting firm in my area or attending a masters program which is a near necessity to be CPA eligible. I have thought about enrolling in an online school but I would most likely have to throw away the 3+ years of credits I earned for a different degree program.

Posted Jul 31, 2017, 3:18 PM UTC · edited

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