Many graduate students, myself included, are finding it increasingly difficult to fund their studies and have opted to work their way through graduate school. How does working impact graduate studies? Do students who work take longer to earn their degrees? What are some of the trade-offs?
How does working impact graduate 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 graduate/professional programs 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 academia to list on your C.V. (resume).
Some of the negatives associated with working are, you
- have a ready-made time deficit;
- employers aren't always understanding of your need to take time off to study, research or write;
- 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").
Of course, each individual is different and what I perceive as a positive may be a negative for someone else and vice-versa.
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 graduate studies.
Until next time! Lynn Byrne
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