Job/School Advice

[d_w_w]

I have no idea if anyone will respond to this or not, but, well I'm a bit conflicted and impatient (:rolleyes:), and don't really wait until Thursday to talk to my adviser about this. And, well, this is the only sizable online community that I participate in, so: I'm currently a doctoral student in criminology, planning on taking my comprehensive exams in the upcoming Spring semester. Currently, I pay the bills via a part time job as a data analyst for a crime research institute and by teaching for my department. To be fair, I enjoy both jobs. But, given my expenses and generally low pay, I'm really barely scraping by (paycheck to paycheck, you know?). I'm only allowed to teach one class per semester and during the fall and spring semesters. Moreover, I'm only allowed to work a total of 30 hours per week, while I'm a full-time student. So, here's the current issue. I just heard, through an email from a friend, of an upcoming opening for full-time statistician position in another institute on campus. I clearly qualify for this job, both in terms of official qualifications and practical knowledge. In truth, there are only a couple of handfuls of folks that could probably compete with me for this job in the state, and most of them have tenured faculty positions and/or would want more money than this position pays. So, what's the problem? Well, I'm currently working at another research institute for my adviser. And, well, I clearly owe her quite a bit, and don't want to let her down, especially as she's certainly going to be my dissertation chair. Which brings me to the second issue. I'm definitely going to finish my schooling. I'm wayyyy too far into this to not finish. And, well, I'm paranoid that it might not be a great idea to work a full time job, at least while I'm trying to finish up school. I'd be required to drop to part-time status (in order to be allowed to work 40 hours/week). The positive to applying for the job is obviously the money. It's almost 3 times what I currently make and, well, I'd like to stop accumulating and start removing debt at some point. So, yeah, that's my pickle. Typing this up was somewhat therapeutic, and I think I've figured out what I should do. But regardless, if anyone has thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

[GDE71]

You sound a hell of a lot smarter than I am. So do the right thing. Not what might be best now or what might be best for the future. Just do the right thing.

[infinitywpi]

Full time work + schooling = huge amounts of stress. You may be better off sticking with where you are and seeing a) what you can do to reduce expenses and b) see about the potential of a weekend job that doesn't mess up your studies. Other possibilities are 'donating' plasma (The plasma is free, but you get 'compensation for your time'... around here, first visit in a week is $25, second is $45, limit twice a week) or seeing if anyplace in your city does medical studies (I've done a couple; pay is about 500-600 for two weekends, check in Friday night, check out Sunday morning; possible complications may result, and if you're testing amphetamines, don't read a good book at the same time... my heart rate nearly hit the 'call the paramedics' zone). Both cases require a lack of dislike of needles and general good health, so they're not the best for everyone.

[djthefunkchris]

You know more then anyone what your limitations are. I will give you the same advice I gave my son. He's in a position right now to finish up by November, with only 4 courses. He wants to try to do it faster by doubling up on the ones he needs the most credits in. My advice to him was "November is only three months away, Don't mess it up now by biting off more then you can chew." I won't stop him from doing what he wants to do. However, I am emphasizing that the more you do, the less time you have to recover. The ease of it starts to slip, as you have less time to study and less energy to put forth. I understand that you want to start paying back, and have a few bucks in the pocket "RIGHT NOW". However, think of "what if?" What if you bite off more then you can chew, and you have to stop one of them? What if you keep going the way you do now, and for sure finish, what are your options then as opposed to "NOW"?

[blackphoenix]

[QUOTE=d_w_w;486909] So, what's the problem? Well, I'm currently working at another research institute for my adviser. And, well, I clearly owe her quite a bit, and don't want to let her down, especially as she's certainly going to be my dissertation chair. [/QUOTE] Not to diss your adviser (and I don't think it's necessarily true of her persay) but the university machine is always political, don't burn bridges that could help you out in the future. It may not effect your dissertation but she may not help you network for jobs afterwards etc, if she sees this a sleight. Most people won't go out of their way to work again you, but if you have hurt them they may not go out of their way to help you either. Study vs Work.. I'm lucky to live in a country that pays to allow us to study at university (hurrah!) but I still moved back (yes BACK) to my parents house to study because I didn't want to work while I studied. I felt if I worked more that 8 - 15 hours a week I would serious damage my learning. I obviously still pay rent and all my other bills but it just gives me a stability that is a more effect learning enviroment for me while allowing me to do Brazilian JJ, which I find helps settle me and focus my mind. I also find working and the money it brings is very seductive. I took me three years to pull my head out of earning big money doing a job that bored me to death. Once you've earned a bit of money you get used to living that way, and I find with people that I know alot will stay in work rather than go back and finish uni / do their honours/masters/doctorate simply because they are used to a certain lifestyle. It's a difficult question tho. As DJ said, it's all about what you can manage, don't over do it. Mafia however is super distracting. :) Good luck.