Can I Work Full-Time And Still Go To School?

For many people, one either goes to school or works a full-time job and that’s that: you have to make a choice and stick with it. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything while still eating, exercising, and sleeping in healthy lifestyles.

That is the common perspective of many people, but for others, it is the necessity that they find themselves forced into. There are a good number of people who cannot afford to go to school while not also earning money at a job. So how do they make it work?

For some people, the answer is that they actually are overworking themselves, again, sometimes out of necessity. They pack their schedules so tightly that they are lucky to find a spare five minutes in a month to themselves. However, for the majority of people, there are still things to consider when choosing the right path for you.

Chances are, you’re in the group of people who have finished a bachelor’s degree and are looking for further education while working in your line of work. It is always a good idea in these situations to check with your workplace to see if there are any programs or grants that allow potential students to earn a Masters or other types of post-graduate certifications. You’d be surprised just how many companies offer these types of incentives, as they value educated and trained employees that make the company better.

After this, you have to look at the school side. Many schools offer a few different options when it comes to how you would like to study:

Full-Time: This is the most demanding option, as you will be taking a full course load just like any other full-time student, but it is more common than you might think. This option works best if your workplace is willing to support you and be flexible with your schedule to accommodate your school work, so it is vitally important to talk with your workplace and come to a good arrangement prior to considering this option. The advantage with full-time schooling is that you finish your studies the soonest out of all the available options, allowing you to spend the least amount of time dealing with tight timelines.

Part-Time: Taking a class or two a week can sometimes be the best option for people with busy or inflexible work schedules. If you’re not in a hurry to finish your degree, this can be a very attractive option for those who still want to study but feel as though they don’t have the time or space to do so. Part-time programs are often quite flexible, allowing you to adjust your course load as needed if work becomes busier at a certain time of the year.

Online: The most option flexible of them all, for when regular scheduling seems impossible. Do consider, online coursework can lack a number of benefits associated with in-person class time, including the ability to ask questions and associate with your peers. Additionally, although many workplaces do accept online degrees, there may still be some bias towards traditional degrees that may affect your chances if you choose to find alternative work.

The most important thing is to do your research. Find out which schools offer programs that suit your needs and see how much your workplace is willing to work with you to achieve your academic aspirations. You never know what you can achieve until you try!

Have you worked full-time while going to school? Share your experiences with us!