Should I take a PT job or just keep doing school...

john · December 05, 2005, 08:17:01 PM

I am attending ASU and with the new +- grading system I have an average over 4.0. Now an acquaintance of mine is asking me if I want to work part time in his IY dept. It pays well, but I'm worried that my GPA will plunge.

What's your experiences with working and f/t school?

Phaedrus · December 05, 2005, 08:31:23 PM

I went to college full time (always over 15 credits) and worked full time (40 hours per week). The college was just a State school, and I worked overnights as Security at a R&D plant. It was hell. I would sleep like 3 hours a day. Having a social life was very hard. I was able to keep my GPA high enough to be on the Dean's List, but never did make President's List. I needed to work though, there was no option for me. It helped build a lot of experience and charectar, but I think I would have gotten more out of my college experience if I had not had to work so much.

dgyver · December 05, 2005, 09:04:16 PM

Working and going to school sucks. Grades will be affected. I have been doing both for way too long.

pandy · December 05, 2005, 09:09:25 PM

How part time is the part time he's asking for? Are the hours flexible (so that you'd be able to put in extra study time at midterms and finals)?

I worked in college, too. Working full time and schooling full time was pure hell, but I was able to do just fine with part time work.

If he's willing to do a "trial run," it doesn't hurt to try. If he's inflexible and wants a lot of hours, think carefully. If you truly think your GPA will take a nosedive, and you're able to live by schooling alone and not working, then I have to agree with the rest that school-only is the way to go.

Edit: oh yeah....is the work something you love? That counts for something, too. If it's something you absolutely love doing, then it won't be such torture.

Onlypastrana199 · December 05, 2005, 09:43:42 PM

I work IT...work anywhere from 15-48+ hours a week (depending on the number of problems), I was taking 6.5 credits (Yale has a weird credit system)...i guess one credit here is like 4 credits elsewhere :dunno: so like 26 credits. That was a bit overwhelming...im like ready to take time off of school now. I did that spring semester of last year too. Do what you feel you can handle, make a time log of when you have class and over estimate the number of hours you have to do work outside of the classes, extracurriculars, free time, sleep, and then you can see how much time you have to work.

pantablo · December 05, 2005, 11:51:42 PM

think realistically about what that hot GPA is going to do for your resume. Nothing. As long as you have high marks, show that you have a brain and can use it, and are a dedicated hard working individual you'll do great in your career. the IT position will probably do more for you than the difference in GPA.

vtlion · December 06, 2005, 04:02:03 AM

The only time your GPA will be considered at all is when you apply for your first job or graduate school. after that, it meens nothing compared to your experience and references. Employers don't hire to to get good grades, they hire you to get results.

I would say take the work and try to be sure to earn a dinstinction (cum laude) on your degree. That is one thing that I mention to prospective employers and always will.

Jeff P · December 06, 2005, 06:15:39 AM

What's "part time"? I worked ~15 hrs/week in college. My degree's in mechanical engineering, so I was taking 18 credits or so every semester, and they weren't film analysis or reading courses :lol: I don't think my grades suffered at all, graduated with a 3.48.

jeff

john · December 06, 2005, 07:09:26 AM

Quote from: vtlionThe only time your GPA will be considered at all is when you apply for your first job or graduate school.

My concern exactly -grad school is a real option. But I am leaning torward taking the job. There's no harm in trying, and I may be able to start while i'm in between semesters. IT is something I like doing, and it pays very well.

And Pablo, you're right. My killer average hasn't gotten me shaZam!. No tuition break, no nothing.

pizzleboy · December 06, 2005, 07:46:02 AM

The question should be: Do I need the money?

If question 1 is "yes", then proceed to 2:

Since I need the money, how many hours can I donate without affecting my GPA?

If you don't need the money, then concentrate on school.

IMHO.

pandy · December 06, 2005, 08:43:57 AM

Quote from: pizzleboyIf you don't need the money, then concentrate on school.IMHO.

Or, better yet, if you don't need the $, go ahead and take the job, but donate the proceeds to moi! :mrgreen:

octane · December 06, 2005, 09:50:58 AM

I did full time work, full time school for two years and it burned me out. I ended up with about a 3.2 average, but I'm sure I would have done much better if I could have just concentrated on school. Unfortunately, at the time I needed to be working and didn't want to drop my credits to a part time load.

Phaedrus · December 06, 2005, 10:00:58 AM

Quote from: johnAnd Pablo, you're right. My killer average hasn't gotten me shaZam!. No tuition break, no nothing.

Check with your vehicle insurance policy. Some insurance companies give discounts to high GPA people.

John, sometime tomorrow: "Great news everyone! I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Allstate!" :lol:

john · December 06, 2005, 10:03:17 AM

Quote from: pizzleboyThe question should be: Do I need the money?

If question 1 is "yes", then proceed to 2:

Since I need the money, how many hours can I donate without affecting my GPA?

That's the issue. I think I could squeeze in 15-20 hours per week. I contacted him and said I'd sit down with him next week after finals are over. I'll know more then about how many hours they are looking for. My impression is that they need somebody to come in on evenings to monitor the system and make sure the workstations stay up and running.

pandy · December 06, 2005, 10:04:40 AM

Quote from: johnMy impression is that they need somebody to come in on evenings to monitor the system and make sure the workstations stay up and running.

This could be good homework-doing time. One of my job early in my college career was as switchboard operator at a hospital, night shift. I was able to get a lot of homework done, and with the hospital's blessing!

Phaedrus · December 06, 2005, 10:06:11 AM

Quote from: johnMy impression is that they need somebody to come in on evenings to monitor the system and make sure the workstations stay up and running.

Can you bring in course work? That helped me get through work and school. I was able to bring in various reading assignments, a notebook, etc. Some jobs require your presence more than your expetise. This sounds like it would be a feast or famine job; either real busy or real sow. On the slow nights, make sure you have your course work.

Roadstergal · December 06, 2005, 10:13:54 AM

I did part-time when I was in college and got summa. If you're carrying a 4.0 and still getting enough sleep, go for it.

SuZuki10 · December 06, 2005, 02:15:59 PM

It looks good to future employers that you were able to juggle work and school also. If it turns out to be managable part time hours, I say go for it! It will also get you back into the work feel, so when the full time job happens you won't feel shocked...and lastly, something I am learning now and am grateful for is that this pety part time job could be a lead into something better/full-time there! There is no better feeling than being offered a full-time spot for your performance and work ethic. (in the work force anyway)

I'm sure you could hack in while you are there and post more often on GStwin too!!

RVertigo · December 06, 2005, 07:19:43 PM

I've seen people do it... Even working full time. 40+ hours of work and three classes...

I couldn't do it... I couldn't even do 40 hours and one class. :dunno:

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Should I take a PT job or just keep doing school...