Is this a good idea
Is this a good idea
(OP)
working 40hrs and doing full-time schooling in mechanical engineering courses. I really do not want to do this, but i do not have many options left to choose from.
My goal is to complete all the lower division classes and then hopefully end up getting a part time job so i can concentrate on the upper division courses.
So far everyone is saying this is suicide, what do u think.
My goal is to complete all the lower division classes and then hopefully end up getting a part time job so i can concentrate on the upper division courses.
So far everyone is saying this is suicide, what do u think.





RE: Is this a good idea
I was in the same situation when I completed my undergrad degree. If I had to do it all over again, I would've taken out some student loans because the lower division classes are really the foundation of upper division. I can tell you it will be a tough road but not impossible. Depending on your location most firms offer great parttime student engineer positions that pay above average wages compared to retail. Do not short change your future investment by working yourself into an early grave
Best Regards,
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?
RE: Is this a good idea
I'm taking one graduate course a semester now with 45 hours at work and it is enough for me.
RE: Is this a good idea
I know a couple people who got through engineering school while working, but it took 6 to 8 years.
Are you working in an engineering-related position (drafting, design, QA)? Is your employer paying for your schooling?
RE: Is this a good idea
If you are in lower division, I encourage you to cut your hours at work. You don't want to burn yourself out.
Schedule your classes all in the morning or all in the afternoon so you reserve a block of time for work. Also consider taking MWF or TTh schedule.
Best of luck
RE: Is this a good idea
The advantages:
I was able to apply some of the learnings from school.
I did not need an internship to get relevent experience and networking ability.
I had a job right out of school and a lot of contacts in industry.
I had a job where my hours were pretty much restricted from 8 to 5, so I had time to do some school work in the evenings.
I never had to look for a summer job.
The disadvantages:
My grades were only average.
Not every employer is flexible.
Not everyone will be able to get a job where they can apply their courses.
It took me 5 years instead of 4.
My social life suffered (somewhat).
I still needed student loans to live.
This all really depends on your personality, how you work under pressure, and how good you are at multitasking. I know others that have tried this and failed miserably. If I could go back and try again, I don't think I would change a thing.
Hopefully this helps in your decision.
RE: Is this a good idea
see that is one of the bad parts, that im not working in any engineering related field, nor my employer is paying for my education
Hiebs
Those two lists that you wrote are so true.
RE: Is this a good idea
hopefully this should give me more time to concentrate on school work, cuz to tell you the truth heres my situation while working 40hrs and taking 15units a QUARTER
*Missing One Meeting out of two for one class a week
*Turning in only half of the hw assignments in, inorder to put it more time in for the exam.
*Constantly burned out
*My Social Life is suffering
RE: Is this a good idea
One good thing once you get all you lower division completed you will be able to work as an engineering assistant at most any company. We had companies seeking out sharp students to do part time work during the school year which in most cases turns into full time work in the summer. I did a four year gig at CalTrans in there CADD Technology department doing CAD development, and writing training manuals. It paid $12/hr which in 1991 was a good part time wage. Best of luck.
Heckler
RE: Is this a good idea
My senior year I carried a full load and worked part time in an unrelated field. The trick was I worked all my hours on the weekend. 2 twelve hour shifts per week. My social life suffered, but it paid for rent and food.
Life is all about choices.
RE: Is this a good idea
HVAC68
RE: Is this a good idea
RE: Is this a good idea
If I have heard the others, I wouldn't be finishing my MBA and keeping a full time job (50h/week minimum). Everybody was saying "Is too hard"; "Your work will suffer"; "What about your wife?" etc.
I made and analysis and went ahead. And gladly I didn't follow the others.
A couple of suggestions:
1-Convince your wife (if you're married)-Most important point;
2-Convince your boss of the advantages of going to study and how this will influentiate your future work.
RE: Is this a good idea
Also, I had no job for most of my last semeseter at school, final projects and such just took way too much time. But it's only for a few years!
RE: Is this a good idea
As an engineering educator for the last 15 years, I have seen a lot of people try to work full time and take a full course load. I can only think of 1 very exceptionalstudent who was able to do it. His work was in manufacturing which helped a bit. Most people who try to do both on a full-time basis drop out after the first semester.
In my classes, (fundamental lower-division courses) I tell students they should be prepared to spend 2 to 3 hours of prep time out of class for every hour of in-class time. (This is a standard estimate at our college.) Since people learn at different rates, some students require less time and some require more time.
It is possible to do what you suggest, but as others indicated, life is about choices. Something will have to give way to work or study. If you have a family, your family life will likely suffer. You could try a full-time load for a term and see how it goes... adjust your schedule if necessary to realistically match your abilities and availability. The lower-division courses are the basis for upper-division courses.
Best wishes,
Ed
RE: Is this a good idea
RE: Is this a good idea
I think I'd be trying to think of a way to work about 20 hours/week plus a slightly reduced load, say 12 hours/semester. I think that could be done for sure for an adult. Those earlier classes are terribly difficult -- in many ways they seem more difficult than the grad-level classes I've taken. I'm sure it's just a matter of learning how to learn.
DES
RE: Is this a good idea
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RE: Is this a good idea
Good luck.
HVAC68
RE: Is this a good idea
Those hours at work were not wasted however because I managed to get a security guard job, which not only paid better than retail but allowed me to study. I also had plenty of time for a social life. I didn't have this luxury in my final year as the job I took was as a security person in a night club so I couldn't just whip out the books and study, however while working there my need for a social life was satiated as I had no will go to another bar or club b/c it felt like I was working.
My two hour commute each day was also well used, I read alot of the course material I would not have read otherwise.
So in summary I would suggest the following:
1) Get a night watchmen or security guard job, preferably were you are alone and noone will hassle you so that you can study AND get paid.
2)If you must work and CANNOT study while at work take on a job that keeps your social needs somewhat fulfilled, ie. a bouncer or bartender, even a waiter.
3) If you have a long commute to work, DON'T drive in yourself take public transit even if the ride is longer.
RE: Is this a good idea
The experience was what helped me find a job upon graduation; definatly worth finding an internship. Prior to that, for the first two years, I took a job at the university library just to make some extra money.
My opinion:
1. Having a job while you go to school helps pay the bills.
2. Having a job in your field prior to graduation makes you more marketable after graduation, which will enable you to pay back any student loans. Plus, a job with an employer in your field might open up tuition reimbursement options.
3. A full-time job and full-time school is insane; I was already missing out on a lot of college fun things and getting really burnt out because of my committments; I would seriously consider financial aid for any expenses a part-time job doesn't cover.
4. Having a job helps you keep focus on what you're trying to accomplish in school, it teaches you excellent time management, and responsibility. Too much work while your in school takes away from your learning ability and what you're trying to accomplish. If you try to do too much at once, something will suffer; it shouldn't be your education.
Just my two cents...
RE: Is this a good idea
You sound as though you are older and wiser than I was, and you're clearly motivated. Something will suffer - most likely your personal life - but you can do it.
If you have a nine-to-five job*, as opposed to the work-as-long-as-it-takes-til-the-job-is-done job you'll have when you're an engineer, it should help.
* What's the origin of this expression? I've never met anyone with nine to five work hours. That would only be 7.5 hours with a half hour lunch.
Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys - www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell
RE: Is this a good idea
Government employees are another example, although they probably do 10 to 3 with an hour or two off for lunch.
RE: Is this a good idea
How old/mature are you? 22
How motivated are you? Very Motivated
Do you have a family? Nope
Are you prepared to deny yourself any leisure time outside of school breaks? Yes Iam
What's the nature of your job? If it's fairly mindless, that's one thing -- if it takes thought, judgement, and consideration, that's another. A: Im a merchandiser right now so i would say it involves a little bit of everything although like with everything its a repetitive task so it gets easy with time
How much flexibility to you have in your work schedule?
I get a lot of flexibility right now, so this aint a problem.
RE: Is this a good idea
RE: Is this a good idea
I'm working as an engineer about 40-45 hours per week, and going to law school in the evenings and weekends (9 credits at a time.) That means with studying, classes and work I am putting in 12-14 hours per day, 6-7 days a week. Yes, my social life sucks. Yes, my wife misses me (fortunately we do not have kids yet). Yes, my house and accoutrements are barely hanging together.
It sucks. I like to hunt, fish, camp, and I don't get to do any of that now, except during semester breaks. And my wife wants to do remodeling projects at semester breaks as well. But it is all relative; there are people in my classes who take 9-12 credits, don't work at all, go out and drink every night, and complain about how hard school is and how they don't have a life. I can't even talk to those people.
Do it now, so you will not regret it later.
RE: Is this a good idea
RE: Is this a good idea