Many students are finding it increasingly difficult to fund their studies and have opted to work their way through school. How does working impact your studies? Do students who work take longer to earn their degrees? What are some of the trade-offs?
How does working impact your studies?
Whether your work has any impact on your studies depends on multiple variables: (1) the degree/major you are enrolled in, (2) your level of enrollment (full-time, part-time, half-time, less than half-time, (3) the number of hours you work each week, and (4) other factors that are beyond your control (commitments outside work/school, professors perceptions, support networks, etc).
Because outside work can negatively impact the student, there are programs (like nursing and pre-pharmacy/pre-medicine) that either actively encourage you not to work and/or prohibit enrollment if you are working (or if they know you are working). If you are interested in such a program, sit down and have a long, deep discussion with the Dean of the department. They will occasionally, on a case-by-case basis, make an exception for a student that has to work.
There is no way one single person can state unequivocally that your work will have a specific impact on your studies. You can bet your last dollar, however, that there will be an impact of some sort, some where by adding another commitment on top of what may already be a full plate.
Do students who work take longer to earn their degrees?
Maybe. If you are enrolled less than full-time in order to accommodate your work or other activities, it will take you longer to complete your degree. If you can avoid dropping below three-quarter time enrollment (by taking classes on-line, in the summer, or during short/mini-mesters), then you are likely to graduate nearly on-time. If you have to drop down to half-time or less, then you're likely to extend your time to degree by a year or more.
What are some of the trade-offs?
Working while in graduate school has both positives and negatives. Some of the positives associated with working are, you
- won't (hopefully) have to take out loans (or as much in loans) to fund your studies
- can keep your skills and contacts current
- have something to do during spring, summer and fall breaks (a little sarcasm)
- have a source of experience and knowledge outside of school to list on your (resume)
- have a ready-made time deficit;
- employers aren't always understanding of your need to take time off to study;
- you may not be able to find work in a field that's related to your studies (which isn't always problematic); and
- your friends and family will wonder whatever happened to you as you're likely to see them VERY infrequently (refer back to the comment on the "time-deficit").
To work or not to work…?
Ultimately, the decision regarding working should be yours. Again, if you are considering enrolling in a program where students are "encouraged" not to work, you may still have options if you have to work. Just make certain, as you weigh your decision, that you do take into consideration both the positive and negative impacts that working may have on your studies.
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:- College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
- Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
- The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.
