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Projecting the ‘Now’ into the ‘Later’: Is a Joint-Degree Right for Me?

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By Alyssa Wiseman Updated Dec 04, 2019
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Projecting the ‘Now’ into the ‘Later’: Is a Joint-Degree Right for Me? main image
Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

Throughout one’s life, there are many opportunities for spontaneity; some trivial and some more risky—to buy or not to buy that little black dress, to take that leap of faith in the form of an impromptu skydiving lesson, or perhaps to enroll in an art history class despite being a psychology major. When it’s all over, you can look back and say either: “I’m so happy I did that!” or “Meh...probably wasn’t the best idea.” I’ve had my fair share of both and no matter which way I look at it, I never end up with regrets. Why? Because hindsight is 20/20 – it was what I wanted in the ‘now’ and that’s the only part of me that I tried to satisfy.

Opting for a joint-degree is nothing like that; or at least, in my opinion, shouldn’t be. With only one year left in my law degree at McGill University prior to enrolling in the joint MBA/law degree program, I can say with absolute ease that I was truly torn. The end was so close, I could taste it. Having been in school consistently since before kindergarten, a large part of me just wanted to be done with it all. That, however, was what I wanted now, but what would I want later? This is why it was different – forward thinking and planning had to take precedence.

In light of this, the following considerations and the ultimate conclusions drawn from them proved to be pivotal in my decision to pursue a joint-degree.

Pursing a joint-degree

Where am I now?

This might seem like a stupid question or at least, a really easy one. It is, however, more loaded than you think.

The simple answer: Me, two years ago, was a soon-to-be third year law student at McGill University. The majority of my would-be peers in the MBA program were already pursuing careers; many of them, in fact, had already made several career changes.

The questions behind the question that render the question harder to answer (try saying that 10 times fast): Am I happy? Do I have the time? Do I have the money? Who else, other than me, does my decision affect? Will they support my decision?

This list could go on forever. All of a sudden, my simple question became harder to answer at the drop of a hat. But that’s okay. As I have learned, big picture thinking oftentimes leads to uncertainty at first, but then reassurance further down the line. So, I gave it a shot.

Am I happy?

I was really enjoying law school…and I still am. That said, something was missing and as I continued into my second year of law, that became more and more obvious. I was interested in entertainment law and yet, very few entertainment law-related courses were being offered. And then, just as I was feeling a little defeated over my inability to engage with the course material, a small miracle in the form of an email from the Desautels Faculty of Management appeared in my McGill inbox. The course was called ‘The Treble Cliff: Remonetizing the Music Industry’. Being fortunate enough to get in, I left with a confirmation of my interests as well as a whole slew of new ones – all of which were business-related rather than legal. And as I made my decision to be in the joint law/MBA program, I remembered how I felt taking that course and engaging with the reading material and the guest speakers in the manner that I did and I thought, “I’m happy now but I could be happier.”

Do I have the time? Do I have the money?

For me, these questions converged. First, I considered the structure of the joint program. A joint-degree would add a year and a half to my three-year law degree. Furthermore, the manner in which the program was structured would allow me to take a year off law to focus solely on the MBA program (a must for me, as I had taken no previous business courses such as accounting or finance). It all seemed doable.

That said, the old adage is true: time is money. I have always been lucky to have parents who have always put education above all. For these reasons, they have always helped me pay for my tuition. And so, this was not just my decision; it was theirs as well. Fortunately for me, they were behind my decision. I recognize that not all of my peers are in the same position so it’s worth saying here that, while other methods may be more taxing on you (rather than your parents), where there is a will, there is a way.

Who else, other than me, does my decision affect? Will they support my decision?

As I previously mentioned, my parents were going to take a financial hit for my decision, a hit they were happy to take, but a hit nonetheless. My then-boyfriend (now fiancé) and our newly acquired puppy were also a part of the equation. I was entering a program I knew nothing about, which meant I was going to have to work extra hard and extra long at everything. On top of that, the mere structure of the program had me in school for an extra year and a half. I had already determined that I had the time, but did they?

To answer this question, I have one word: communicate. Decisions of great importance are very rarely made alone and so there is no need to overburden yourself or, on the other end of the spectrum, to overburden your loved ones by making their decisions for them. The best thing to do is to get them to answer the same question you are and all that loaded-ness that comes with it: where are they now?

Where do I want to be?

No one can predict the future, but everyone can project it. One needs to consider the now to determine whether a change should or needs to be made. Not all future variables need to be known but through one’s commitment to a change in one’s path (in my case, a longer one) via considerations for all presently known variables, one can feel reassured in the fact that, ultimately, they made the right decision now for where they will want to be later. For me two years ago, all signs steered me to pursue a joint-degree and I can safely say, that because of my careful assessment, whether I use both, use one more than the other or use neither my MBA nor my law degree in my future career, it is a decision I will never regret. 

About Alyssa Wiseman

Alyssa Wiseman received her BA in Psychology from McGill University in 2011. She is presently pursuing joint law and MBA degrees at McGill University. She is also a legal researcher for Define the Line, an interdisciplinary research project at McGill University exploring several issues surrounding cyberbullying, including legal literacy and digital citizenship, as well as a volunteer for Pro Bono Students Canada.