Opinions on Using Employer TA

[futuremrsmlb]

This is a very common requirement for TA. Not sure if this is still the case, but many employers used to pay it off for you as a hiring bonus. My thought would be take it, with the intentions of staying, but if something better comes up, ask the new company to pay it off for you. In the meantime, start saving up so you can pay it off yourself if need be.

Also, you said that there is not a lot of advancement opportunities at the company, but I would look at it another way; they are giving you an advancement opportunity for your LIFE. Something you can take with you to the next job, and all future jobs. Assuming that they're going to be forking out $25k (?) for a graduate degree for you, that's a pretty great benefit and advancement.

And, you never know when a company will make changes to their structure, or get bought out, or buy another company, or spit, or add divisions...you get the picture. Just because it doesn't look like there are advancement opportunities NOW doesn't mean there won't be some LATER.

Take the TA and start piling up cash!

Excellent point!