How to Choose Between Education and a Job

It's time to hit the books for any career and education.

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As a working student, I find myself at a crossroads. I am making a living working outside of college, mainly because of the experience and discipline I found in college. When does one know enough is enough? Do you want an associate's, bachelor's, master's degree or even higher? These thoughts run through my mind too. When choosing between education and college, consider these thoughts.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Interne
A place to live, study, and work

Step1

Courtesy SXC.HU, Stock XCHNG Consider your financial situation.

Will you even be able to afford college? That is the first question. Almost all of us can, mainly because of student loans, scholarships and federal grants like the Pell grant. However, that does not discount life outside of college. You need some sort of plan, written or in your mind, where you can see where you will be in the next years. Simply put, a work life is much easier to manage and can bring in work experience a college education cannot.

Step2

Write a plan on how you can study in college or make enough money working.

Now is the time to begin considering the classes you want in college. Will you take a full load of classes? Or will you take an internship with a company? These are big decisions. Usually one complements the other, therefore consider where you want to be in the next few years. If you have no experience whatsoever and have never had a job, consider getting the education. If you have worked entry-level jobs, still consider it. However, some have a successful career prior to entering college. There is no age limit for college students; all colleges are happy to have 18-year-old or 90-year-old students.

Step3

Have an understanding with your parents.

Some parents will be able to help financially and some won’t. This should come into your plan when deciding what avenues to take. In short, you need a place to stay, affordable rent and access to food. If you have none of these, an entry-level job for a year or so could help. Ask advice from your parents. Some will offer more advice and tools than others, so this is no easy generalization.

Step4

Choose what you will be happy with.

So far, I have only touched making money and building careers. Some of us will be happy with less. It is time to consider where exactly you want to be ten years down the line, not financially, but in body and spirit. This step should also be considered in your plan. If college will wreak hell on your nerves and you prefer regular jobs, consider setting a one- to two-year plan where you are making a living as a professional.

Step5

Choose courses or work that interests you. Choosing courses is one of those tough but necessary choices. Choosing a job is often an easier process, where you put in dozens of applications to your top choices and go from there. Again, find something that works for you. Find something that is not only a challenge but a joy to take part in. For example, if you love working with children, consider a career as a teacher or guidance counselor.

Step6

Opportunities to meet people through college and work.

Just because you go to college doesn’t mean you will be successful. It is the same for finding a perfect job early in life. I found that many fall off the ladder early in their careers or educations. What both working and studying will do is allow you to network. I have found most of my jobs through word of mouth and heard of many top schools in my field by simply asking questions to others. That is, in an odd way, how life works. Ask questions and get answers.

Step7

Some of us simply cannot manage a career and work. I found it to be very stressful, so I limited the amount of work I took in and the number of classes I enrolled in. If you do this, a strategy is really needed, or you will get burned out.