So here I am, sitting at the desk of my-pseudo job on campus here, minding my own business, when I get some interesting news.
Apparently, a rather large company thinks I have no business being in college, and should be working for them. I’d be doing the work I love to do, with a great salary (not-quite-but-almost six figures), and (from what I hear) a great boss. They would also pick up the tab should I want to take classes part-time to finish up my degree. A friend of mine who’s a couple years older than me found himself in the same situation (same company, even) two years ago, took it, and has never looked back.
Socially, I’d be giving up very little. I don’t do terribly much on campus anyway; my social life consists mostly of watching improv shows, binge drinking, and a combination of the two. I would, of course, miss the hell out of my girlfriend (she’s behind me all the way), but that should be managable, as the job is less than two hours away from here.
As excited as I am now, though, I know this is one hell of a decision, and not one to be taken lightly. As my judgement is still rather clouded by the excitement, I feel I must turn to cooler heads than mine. So, folks, any thoughts on what I should do here?
No question; do it. Sounds like there’s no downside, other than not finishing your degree. Were I you, I’d take the job, but make a commitment to finishing your degree (since they are paying for it), because that might help you out down the road if and when you change jobs.
I did the same thing, but only after a year of college. Haven’t looked back, and that was 4 years ago. Still haven’t finished my degree, and really haven’t thought about it since I have the experience now to cover it. Plus, I can get away with it in my field. Programmers are good at that.
Go for it and then get your degree since their paying for it. I’m sure you and your girlfriend can work it out. Look how much fun the weekends will be.
You have an in-demand talent, but you don’t know how long the demand will last. As a firm believer in the value of a liberal arts education, I hate to say this, but take the money and run.
Complete this semester, take the job, work out a part-time schedule for the rest of your requirements, live frugally, invest wisely and go from there.
If the market for your skills suddenly takes a downturn, at least you’ll have these paychecks to fall back on.
Go for it, for sure. I had a similar situation and I don’t regret it for a moment. I was actually better at college once I was working and going to school part-time. I liked the professional environment and that helped me focus on school work. I was learning skills at work that were helping me tremendously in the classroom.
Do not fail to take advantage of their offer to pay for you to finish part time. The only drawback that I can see to this situation is that you might be so busy/having too much fun working that you will be tempted to put off finishing the degree. Don’t put it off forever. It might make a difference in your next job.
If it is possible, when you negotiate a contract, you might want to ask about the company’s obligations to you vis a vis school. For example, if you are in school, and the company reorganizes/downsizes etc. resulting in the elimination of your job (it could happen) will the company continue to pay for the reminder of the school year? Also, will the company place any restrictions on what classes/major you will take? It might be worth your while to talk to another employee at the company who is taking advantage of this schooling policy, and get his/her reaction. You don’t want to take the job and then discover the offer of paying for school is mostly lip service. “Sure, we’ll pay for school. What, they don’t offer classes after midnight? Oh, well maybe next semester then!”
Also, if possible, try to stay on good terms with at least one professor or advisor. Take the time to explain to them why you are choosing to leave school at this time, and what your longer-term plans are about finishing. Make a point to keep in touch with them. They can later be very helpful to you if you return part time to the school, or are seeking recommendations to enroll part time at another college.
Congratulations on being so in demand. You should be really thrilled with the offer, no matter how you decide to play it.
PS With a real paycheck, the quality of your drinking goes up quite a bit as well. And don’t knock those company holiday parties.
I messed around at University and failed my first year exams.
I left and got a good job (lucky!).
You sound like a much better prospect.
Tell your tutors what you propose, arrange part-time classes, and … take the job!
The main purpose of college is to prepare you for work. You sound ready!
To problematize things, as the opinions seem to one side so far (just so you think things through): What year are you? Would this job not wait? If this guy wants to give you this job right now, do you think you would remain qualified for similar jobs after graduation in a year or so, or would the situation change and you would be missing a unique envelope of opportunity? Are you going to jump out of college because of an early chance for employment, as on some level you fear not being able to find a job after graduation? Are you only in school to make yourself marketable for jobs, or are you getting something else there?
Do it. Take the job and run. You may not get another such sweet opportunity. As much as I value education, in the long run it’s not worth much if it doesn’t get you the job you love (I speak from experience, here).
Don’t worry about your relationship, either (although it sounds like you’re not). Long distance relationships can work out easily. I know that from experience, too.
Go for it, especially since they’re offering to pay for your education while they pay you to do something you already know how to do. You should definetly follow delphica’s advice and make sure your contract allows for some education leeway in case they lay you off, though. Congrats on having such a great opportunity!
I’m a sophomore, and this particular job won’t wait for long, but (hopefully) others like it will be available when I graduate.
A little background–I’m a network guy, and a damn good one. I’m a CNE and a CCNA, and I’ll be a CCNP and a CCDP within the next few months. I’ve also got the experience to match the pieces of paper. I’ve worked damn hard to get these certifications, and I quite fear that by the time I finish school they will have become undervalued, as I’ve seen too many ads for schools that promise to crank out all types of certified people.
I’ve no friggin’ clue why I’m in school, to be honest, other than that it seemed the next logical step after high school. I suppose I’m trying to make myself more marketable, through a vigorous program of procrastination, sleep deprivation, and alcoholism.
Just going to parrot what others have said. Go for it. In my experience getting a degree is easy, getting experience is the hard part. Any chance you get to work a job you love, take it. If it doesn’t work out school will still be there waiting for you.
Nope. Call me an elitist and a dreamer if you like, but I believe the main purpose of college is to prepare you to enjoy your leisure time creatively.
I doubt that my undergraduate degree would have gotten me a job I loved, although I never got a chance to test this theory because I went straight to grad school. I suspect the degree I’m currently working on will make me, if anything, LESS employable … but I don’t consider my education wasted. Far from it. I’ve traveled to places I would never have heard about if I hadn’t learned about them in college, read a lot of interesting and obscure books, seen some very cool movies and plays, gone to museums all over two continents and known what I was looking at, met some great people who only speak Spanish … the list goes on. None of this has profited me much in any material sense, but I wouldn’t want to live my life without it.
That said, if you’re genuinely not getting anything out of college – I’d say go. You can always go back if and when the time is right.
Oh I do agree, and love having had the opportunity to get the extensive education I have. However, I went on to grad school, hated the politics, decided to change majors, had to take a few more undergrad courses…and now, four years after I got my undergrad degree, I’m 28 years old and have never had a “real” job. I don’t have any job at the moment, because my skills are out of date and I can’t afford to buy all the software I’d need to practice on to bring them up to date. I can’t afford to take evening classes, either.
So I’m stuck with being a bored housewife for the moment, until Math Geek graduates and gets a job and I can start spending the money I need to spend to get back in the market. And an education sucks for one real reason: I’m “overqualified” (their words, not mine) for many of the jobs that don’t need direct experience. Am I bitter? Hell, yes!
Thanks for all the responses on this one, folks. I really appreciate the advice.
I’ve decided that if the final, written offer is as good as I’ve been assured it will be, I’m going to take it.
Of course, now I’m going friggin’ nuts waiting to start negotiating. As it stands, I don’t know when they want me to start, so I’m not sure if I should be picking classes for next semester, or apartment hunting. And the constant, obsessive e-mail checking isn’t helping, either.
It’s been nearly two whole days since I talked to the guy, and I’m already running around like a coked-up headless chicken in anticipation. Any ideas on how to stay sane through this?
