Downgrading Job for Post-Bacc

[snipza]

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Just wondering how many post-baccers/career changers had to downgrade their job or change industries in order to make school work.

I am in IT and this usually means I have to be full time with flexibility in case of IT emergencies (downed servers, etc.). I will do my best to find part-time IT work, but this may mean doing help desk functions instead of more advanced things like networking or system administration.

I just want to be able to support myself and have time for classes and studying. Obviously the primary focus is to do well in class. Did anyone have to go back to retail/apply to lower level positions/ask for part time at their current jobs?

I'd like to stay where I'm at and just go part time (30 hours a week). I plan to tell my boss that, "before I hand you my resignation letter I'd like to express my interest in becoming a part-time employee." I'd go on to explain how much I love the company and love working there - but there is something inside me that is urging me to help people in a different way. A way that is meaningful and important to me. I'd ask them for their consideration and understanding and wait for him to say yes or no. Haha. What do you think?

 

[Daneosaurus]

I went from active duty Marine Corps to unemployed student, does that count?

Anyway, just say exactly what you were going to say. If that doesn't work, there are plenty of places that would take a part time IT guy. Many people who pursue dental school are career changers, and if that's what you truly want, there are sacrifices that sometimes have to be made.

 

[HatInTheCat]

For me, I teach high school full time (40 hrs and grading papers at home and on weekends) and take two science classes with labs a semester. During the summer, I take three classes to still maintain a heavy load. I'm halfway through with my prerequisites, taking organic chem I this summer with biology 2.

I have to work to support myself, and I've told that to schools that I'm interested in. So far, all of them applaud my efforts, but they tell me to "do my best" and aim for a competitive DAT. In translation-- I heard that as aim for as many As as I could, and while I'm on a quest to do that, it hasn't been easy. It can be done, but only you know your limits. I'd say do a litmus test by taking one class during the summer to see if that's what you can handle.

I hope it all works out, and welcome to the journey!

If you can quit and live reasonably, then go for it!

 

[snipza]

Thanks for the replies! @sadmanthedentist - that's a really good idea. I should try to enroll in a course this summer at my community college - it's cheap enough and worth the investment to see if I am capable.

I have worked during school the entire time I was in college. I usually had 4 to 5 quarter classes and worked 30 hours, BUT science classes are a whole 'nother beast. In my degree plan, I probably only had one or two classes that could compare to the amount of studying and attention to detail required in most science courses. We'll see what happens.

@Daneosaurus - but didn't you get GI Bill benefits? I am hoping to find something part-time, flexible, and still in IT - or just not retail.

 

[Daneosaurus]

Thanks for the replies! @sadmanthedentist - that's a really good idea. I should try to enroll in a course this summer at my community college - it's cheap enough and worth the investment to see if I am capable.

I have worked during school the entire time I was in college. I usually had 4 to 5 quarter classes and worked 30 hours, BUT science classes are a whole 'nother beast. In my degree plan, I probably only had one or two classes that could compare to the amount of studying and attention to detail required in most science courses. We'll see what happens.

@Daneosaurus - but didn't you get GI Bill benefits? I am hoping to find something part-time, flexible, and still in IT - or just not retail.

Yes. And I also work. Between work and school, I have 0 days off a week.

 

[customx]

Your grades are the most important part of your app in my opinion. I know my 3.4 GPA was brought up at least a few times during my interviews. I worked 32-34 hours a week while taking all my pre-reqs, and I did pretty well in most of them except for a C in my third quarter of ochem and a B- in Biochem I. In hindsight, I wish I had worked a little less so that my grades wouldn't have suffered. I've only been accepted to private schools at this point. The difference in cost between the private schools and public school tuition will far, far outweigh what extra money I made from working.