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View Full Version : Should I quit work to focus on school?


Admiral eX laX
11-08-2006, 02:24 PM
Ever since I started college in '03 up to today, I've lived at home with the 'rents and got my college flat out paid for with a scholarship and grants....however, I felt sheltered and wanted to learn how to work and carry school at the same time....so I decided to take up a job.

So I've worked at this place I'm at for the past year and a month. My advisor at school helped me get the job ( I study accounting and information systems - its a double major). I really like who I work with, and it should look good on my resume and all....but I hate to say that it's taken me away from studying like I used to.

On average, I'm working like..24-29 hours a week. 18 hours of class too. And the pay is crap for what I do ( I'm a computer repair guy, basically - like geek squad, but slightly more knowledgable). The connections and experience have been great, but I really want to just go back to being just a student and finish up my last year and a half focusing on my grades.

I miss being able to take my time with my studies - I learn better that way. And I was on the Dean's list before I took up working. I don't totally regret the hit my grades have taken ( I should still have slightly above a 3.0 after this semester ), but I know I can do REALLY well in school if I had the time to do it like I used to.

My parents are still supportive of me, and it's not like I'm desperate for the money; I've saved up over the years. I feel as though I had to at least try to handle both work and school for the experience, but I'm thinking it'd be better if I left work to get my grades up.

I'd like to work all through college. I know a lot of people do it, and I thought i needed to step up and do it. But it's stressing me out hard, and at this point, I think it'd be best if I went back to my old ways and spent all of my time with school. What would an employer think worse of - a spotty employment history through college, or a GPA thats below what I know I can accomplish?

WorkInProgress
11-08-2006, 02:31 PM
Well, it sounds like you really want to just be a full time student. I don't think that's so bad.

When I was in school, I only worked summers, so that I could focus on school. I can't imagine how that would possibly look bad to employers after graduation.

If your time is currently more than you can handle, would it be possible to work something else out (like, maybe you work strictly 15-20 hours a week, or every Monday afternoon or something)?

Just try not to burn any bridges, whatever you decide.

winneythepooh7
11-08-2006, 02:31 PM
I think the only problem I could see is that you may not be qualified for certain positions you may want without working experience. But at the same time, everyone usually faces that. We all have to pay our dues and start out somewhere.