<p>I am 26 and currently work in a union manufacturing position at a major generic pharmaceutical company. I make $60,000/year (70-80k with OT) with decent 401k and excellent medical/prescription benefits. I have a fixed 8 hour/day work schedule, vacation/personal time, and good job security... assuming the whole union doesn't come crashing down one day. I feel as if I'm kind of spoiled by this job which is why I'm here. I got this job right out of college so I don't know anything less. I want to move up and use my degree, but people continually tell me to stop and look at how lucky I am to have the job I have. </p>
<p>I have a BS in Biology with a Chem minor and was hired by this same company as a chemist also. I declined the position because they only started their chemists at 45k/year!! This was a major blow to me since I make more money now in a job that requires a HS diploma than an educated position. This holds true for other positions in the company too. Scientists and R&D start at ~65k, supervisors in manufacturing vary wildly from mid 30's all the way close to 100k depending on experience. It makes no sense to me.</p>
<p>Additionally, I was accepted into pharmacy school, but decided to hold off because of acquiring this job and the amount of debt I would have had to take on. I have a mortgage and a son and my debt would have been at least 200k+ just from school by the math I had done, even before interest. </p>
<p>So, my dilemma... what would you do in my shoes? I want to move up the company on both business/science sides equally. MBA? Pharmaceutical Sciences? Are there good online grad programs that I could balance with my 40+ hour work schedule? I just want to do SOMETHING productive since they will pay for my schooling. They will even pay for me to get a PharmD, but how on earth I could work 40 hours a week and do that is beyond me.</p>