Applied Research Assignment Harry Silvers

Financial Analyst Los Angeles, CA Winston-Salem, NC Median Salary $95,180 $72,060 Monthly Salary $7,931 $6,005

Budget Los Angeles, CA Winston-Salem, NC Monthly Rent $1,637 $715 Health Insurance $50 Groceries $375 $300 Car/Insurance $310 $250 Utilities Included Phone/Internet $75 Remaining $5,484 $4,615 There is a significant difference in the cost of living, California being more expensive, however the pay difference is large enough to offset this change in cost of living

Graduate School Los Angeles, CA Winston-Salem, NC Program University of California-Los Angeles University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Cost per semester $56,159 (out-of-state) $34,015 (in-state) Total Cost (2 years) $112,318 $68,030 Graduate school is always a good choice due to the expansion of career possibilities, refining/mastering of skills and interests, and salary implications UCLA is clearly more expensive than UNC Chapel Hill, especially since if I were to go to UNC I would be able to pay in-state tuition

Post-Graduate Salary Los Angeles, CA Winston-Salem, NC Old Salary $95,180 $72,060 New Salary $100,600 $75,600 Change in Salary $5,420 $3,540 Regardless of the cost of living and the cost of graduate school, it is clear to see that I would be making significantly more money in Los Angeles, CA Also, it is clear to see that graduate school has a positive impact on median salary, as well as max potential salary Graduate school not only expands potential for salary growth, but also it opens up the door to many more career opportunities

Conclusion My plan would be to attend an MBA program at UCLA and continue living and working in Los Angeles afterwards as a financial analyst Even taking into consideration the cost of living and the cost of graduate school, starting my career in Los Angeles over Winston-Salem seems to be the best move Not only are the opportunities for growth and advancement significantly larger in Los Angeles, but also I would be happier in general due to the difference in lifestyle and culture between the two cities (that of Los Angeles being the more attractive to me)