Job or School?

[mdchiefsfan]

So here is my situation: I am going to college for Computer Science; this is my first year. I get the post 9/11 GI Bill, which means a housing allowance, tuition, books, and supplies are paid for. I am doing great in school full time and working about 32 hours/week.

I just had a friend offer me a solid job that has some great advancement opportunities. I would get a significant raise, but I would have to up my hours to 50/week and I can only work Monday-Friday so I would have to drop down to part-time college. Perks are I would get a gas card and in addition to my salary I would get about 500/month extra for a vehicle.

Here's the rub: The field the new job would be in is what I would really enjoy doing: Loss Prevention. I only have a few years left that I can use my GI Bill or it will all come out of pocket, but I really want to get my degree, even though I'm not that pumped about computers. My car just completely crapped out on me so that extra money is looking really good.

What would you do?

[cdcox]

If you're not that into computers I wouldn't get a degree in it. You're not that likely to be successful in a competitive field that you aren't that passionate about. If you love loss prevention and can make a living at it that you would be satisfied with I don't see a downside with taking the job.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by cdcox

If you're not that into computers I wouldn't get a degree in it. You're not that likely to be successful in a competitive field that you aren't that passionate about. If you love loss prevention and can make a living at it that you would be satisfied with I don't see a downside with taking the job.

I'm very good with computers generally, just not that into them, if you know what I mean. But I had to declare a major to get my benefits so I figure that's where the money is; go with it.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

I'm very good with computers generally, just not that into them, if you know what I mean. But I had to declare a major to get my benefits so I figure that's where the money is; go with it.

Unless you have the passion, you will not have a career in I.T. Being good doesn't cut it. I know lots of techs who are good but left the field due to the lack of passion.

Degrees don't matter one bit unless you want to be a CIO or manager of 100's. I've managed small teams and led projects without even an associates.

It's also very hard to break into the field. Once you get the experience, you will be fine.

Take the job and pursue your schooling part time.

[58-4ever]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Unless you have the passion, you will not have a career in I.T. Being good doesn't cut it. I know lots of techs who are good but left the field due to the lack of passion.

Degrees don't matter one bit unless you want to be a CIO or manager of 100's. I've managed small teams and led projects without even an associates.

It's also very hard to break into the field. Once you get the experience, you will be fine.

Take the job and pursue your schooling part time.

This is very accurate. What company would you be doing loss prevention for?

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

This is very accurate. What company would you be doing loss prevention for?

I don't want to throw it out there just yet. Not until the director actually calls me for an interview. But it is an expanding company, for sure.

[tredadda]

Do the job while pursuing your degree part time.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Do the job while pursuing your degree part time.

This. Work and go to school part time. Especially since this job sounds decent with advancement.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Do the job while pursuing your degree part time.

This is what I am leaning towards, I just would like to get the degree over and have no debt from school at all when I get out. I literally only have about 6 years left that I can use it and going to school part time wouldn't get that done.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

This is what I am leaning towards, I just would like to get the degree over and have no debt from school at all when I get out. I literally only have about 6 years left that I can use it and going to school part time wouldn't get that done.

Not necessarily true. Have you had your military training transferred to college credits yet? This could save you some time and possibly money long term.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Not necessarily true. Have you had your military training transferred to college credits yet? This could save you some time and possibly money long term.

I need to do this TBH. I was a Russian linguist in the Army and I needed a few classes to get my Associate's after I graduated. I need to get in contact with them, but basically all I have transferred over was my DD 214 which got me out of having to take Health

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

I need to do this TBH. I was a Russian linguist in the Army and I needed a few classes to get my Associate's after I graduated. I need to get in contact with them, but basically all I have transferred over was my DD 214 which got me out of having to take Health

Well a Criminal Justice degree should have quite a few electives. A good university should be able to easily maximize the training you received towards college credit.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

I was a Russian linguist in the Army...

F'n awesome. Wish I knew Russian or German.

Also, can't SAT's be taken anytime? It's just a test.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

This is what I am leaning towards, I just would like to get the degree over and have no debt from school at all when I get out. I literally only have about 6 years left that I can use it and going to school part time wouldn't get that done.

During the 6 years when you'll be able to go part time on your GI bill, you'll be pretty busy so it should be a prime opportunity to save money so you can finish your degree after the GI bill runs out without taking out big loans. How long do you think it will take to get your degree part time?

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by patteeu

During the 6 years when you'll be able to go part time on your GI bill, you'll be pretty busy so it should be a prime opportunity to save money so you can finish your degree after the GI bill runs out without taking out big loans. How long do you think it will take to get your degree part time?

It's going to take a while. If you figure I need 15 credit hours/semester to get a 4 year degree and I only do half of that every year it would take me about 7.5 considering I'm almost done with a full time semester now. I might be able to swing more hours once I'm through the 2 months of training for the job though.