3 answers
Sylvia
Student
Portage, Indiana
2
Questions
Asked
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Career after college while getting masters?
I am currently working for my Adviser as a secretary of a department and scanning books for a review website. These jobs work amazingly with my schedule because I make my own. But when I start graduate school, whats the best plan of action for a job? If its at a different school I may not be able to keep the one i have and I am defiantly not making enough currently to move out which I plan to do when I graduate. #college-graduate #career-path #masters
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3 answers
Gary Petito (Veteran)
Admissions Counselor
441
Answers
Harlingen, Texas
Updated
Gary’s Answer
Hi, good question. I think that is something you have to figure out and decide for yourself. There are a lot of options...working part time while going to school full time OR what I did was work full-time and went to school part-time. There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways but depending on your personal and financial situation, you should be able to decide what is best for you. Good luck!
Francisco Torres Diaz
Industrial Engineer, MSE, MBA
67
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Great question! Love seeing students planning ahead and thinking of grad school.
To give you some context I've gone through grad school twice. The first time I spent 1.5 years living with my sister (rent free) and working as a research assistant (RA) which is similar to a TA for my thesis adviser. This can be a good source of money, there's plenty of jobs in grad school doing research or your adviser may hire you to work with him. Most graduate students work for the university in some way or another. Grad school is also usually flexible enough, and if you are well organized you could keep your other job or find a manageable side hustle.
Now, if you thinking of getting into some kind of industry, or having a full-time job within your career you are completing I can offer advise too. the last year of my first masters and my entire MBA I was working full-time as an engineer. I can't tell you it's easy, but it is definitely doable. The extra income makes it easier to live on your own, and the extra privacy and space helps with the efficiency to complete assignments. Working full-time and going to school isn't easy, but graduate schools often are used to students working and taking classes so there's a certain degree of understanding and flexibility (like being late to a class due to working late). Life happens and we are all professionals, just get the work done and you'll be fine.
Overall, there's no one single way of doing grad school. It is a journey you tailor for yourself, but there's plenty of options for working and studying. My opinion is you should decide based on whether you want to be fully focused on your studies or you care more about learning your industry first. Option A means you should look into who your grad school adviser will be and discuss employment opportunities (even if it's a different school, once you apply you can schedule time with different professors). Option B means you should start applying for jobs and hope to get an offer before graduation, or even while you already in grad school (happened to me).
Good luck in your upcoming journey! If you have more specific questions feel free to reach out.
To give you some context I've gone through grad school twice. The first time I spent 1.5 years living with my sister (rent free) and working as a research assistant (RA) which is similar to a TA for my thesis adviser. This can be a good source of money, there's plenty of jobs in grad school doing research or your adviser may hire you to work with him. Most graduate students work for the university in some way or another. Grad school is also usually flexible enough, and if you are well organized you could keep your other job or find a manageable side hustle.
Now, if you thinking of getting into some kind of industry, or having a full-time job within your career you are completing I can offer advise too. the last year of my first masters and my entire MBA I was working full-time as an engineer. I can't tell you it's easy, but it is definitely doable. The extra income makes it easier to live on your own, and the extra privacy and space helps with the efficiency to complete assignments. Working full-time and going to school isn't easy, but graduate schools often are used to students working and taking classes so there's a certain degree of understanding and flexibility (like being late to a class due to working late). Life happens and we are all professionals, just get the work done and you'll be fine.
Overall, there's no one single way of doing grad school. It is a journey you tailor for yourself, but there's plenty of options for working and studying. My opinion is you should decide based on whether you want to be fully focused on your studies or you care more about learning your industry first. Option A means you should look into who your grad school adviser will be and discuss employment opportunities (even if it's a different school, once you apply you can schedule time with different professors). Option B means you should start applying for jobs and hope to get an offer before graduation, or even while you already in grad school (happened to me).
Good luck in your upcoming journey! If you have more specific questions feel free to reach out.
Francine P. Marvin
Contract Management
3
Answers
Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Updated
Francine P.’s Answer
It is good to hear that you are considering the pros and cons of working when seeking a graduate degree. Planning for grad school, as well as traveling the journey to completion, is totally individual. Do not measure how best to achieve your goal against anyone else. I was in the midst of growing my career when in grad school and I found the most important element to success in both was time management. Research the curriculum requirements before your start so that you can create a time management plan that will allow the time needed to do your job effectively and focusing on your assignments and commitments without disruption from the other.