No one tracks how many students are trying to work their way through without parental assistance or debt, but plenty work long hours while also attending classes full time. As of 2010, some 17 percent of full-time undergraduates of traditional age worked 20 to 34 hours a week, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. About 6 percent worked 35 hours or more.
Students who work fewer than 30 hours a week (excluding federal work-study jobs) while in college were 1.4 times more likely to graduate within six years than students who spent more than 30 hours a week in a job, according to an article by Pilar Mendoza, an assistant professor of higher education administration at the University of Florida, in The Journal of Student Financial Aid last year. Their grades are likely to be better, too, since they have more time to study.
Do you think work-study over 30 hrs per week is worth no debt and prolonged graduation? Considering the inflation rate?
I personally think it's better to get a full-time job after graduation and pay off the debts. What do you guys think?
I thinking working over 30 hours a week and trying to be a full time student is just inhumane. Your college years are supposed to be enjoyable. Working that much combined with a college work load does not sound remotely fun to me. But, on the other hand, debt is a risky business. Especially in today's world where college graduates are having increased trouble in finding a good job. That being said, i'd personally go with the debt route because like I said earlier, you should enjoy yourself while you are at school, not work all day everyday.
ReplyDeleteI think that if a person does want to get ahead they will work and go to school at the same time. Debt is very hard to pay off and it can really increase very fast. Plus you are not guaranteed to get a job after college and defaulting on debt can ruin your life credit score, making loans for a house very hard to get.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is the students choice whether or not to work so many hours while studying, if their grades and or graduation year take a negative hit because of it, it is their own fault for not balancing their time and or working less hours. If these students do not have the help from their parents, working these longs hours is their only way of surviving, and to be honest, even if there grades could be better, they are also getting life experience that the other students do not have. My mother worked her way through college and payed off everything herself, now she manages over 300 people at her job because she had such experience working with people her whole life AND having studied social work in college. I wish the economy and individuals life situations were good enough to support every college student so they did not have to work so much, but if I were looking to employee students right out of college, I would definitely see the work experienced and time balanced students as potential candidates. Grades aren't everything ya know...
ReplyDeleteI think one needs to look at college for what it truly is: A long term investment. The quality of this investment is decided by a few factors, chiefly--Grades. At an institution like Kalamazoo College, the difference between a 4.0, and a 3.0 can be monumental when applying for grad schools/job offers.
ReplyDeleteGiven the difference in debt--If one wants to truly make the most of their long term investment (schooling), and maximize its quality--focus 100% of efforts on grades.
The average college graduate today in America, graduates with $25,000 in student debt. The years after college are ripe for paying this off accordingly. On the whole regarding this issue, I agree with Clare.
I see both sides of the argumwent. On one hand, working 30+ hours a week for a college student is an outrageous amount of time, and atleast at K, most of your time away from your job, will be used studying. Although, a college student who is working that many hours and still maintaining quality grades, is developing alot of responsiblity and learning tools to manage their time so they will be more prepared for the real world. If you are able to do so, i think that is the right way to go if it doesnt completely hurt your social life.
ReplyDeleteIf you are unable to balance a 30+ hour a week job, the debt way is the right way to go because you do not want anything taking away from your education and hurting your GPA.
I think it all depends on the person and how much they can handle. Personally, i would not be able to balance a 30+ hour a week job while attending a school like K so i would probably lean on the debt solution.
I agree with Andrew, at the end of the day grades matter. Debt won't be a problem for someone who can maximize the quality of college education and experiences. However, prospective salary for different majors are different. As the article points out average salary for a music major is not as well as an economics and mathematics double major. Paying the debt and living a standard life can be struggle if the job does not pay well. So assessing the options available at the college is necessary especially if you are going to be in huge debt after you graduate from college.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see both sides of the argument but I think that Utsav is right, grades do matter. If you are putting in the effort to do well in college then you will be able to pay off those debts because good grades really make a difference in getting a job after you graduate. (depending on your major). It is definitely something that is individually based, some people may be able to work 30 hours a week and get As and some people may not be able to.
ReplyDeleteI think this tight job market will make it harder for most students graduating from colleges to get a job so it will be more difficult to pay off debt. I believe it is better to study and work to pay off debt at the same time. However, it is important to balance the amount of time working and studying. Working too much (30 hours) will have a huge effect on grades but not working at all will increase the size of debt year by year. It depends on each person's capabilities and choices to make their own decision.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely up to the student, but I think it's important to focus on school because that's basically our job right now. Paying off debt can wait if it means getting a good job in return.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Veronica. Good grades usually lead to a job offer and thus, the ability to pay off student loans. Especially with this competitive job market, grades are even more important than perhaps they ever were. If you are able to work 30+ hours per week, study, and still have fun in college, more power to you.
ReplyDeleteI believe debt is the better option in this case. Most student loans that students get usually have long repayment schedules and low interest rates out of school so they are a good deal for perspective students. Secondly, when we graduate college we still have our whole lives ahead of us to work and acquire the funds to pay off our college. This period should be more than enough time to pay of the required amount. Also, as Clay said, college should be a fun time. You should be focused on having fun and building up your "tools" for later in life when you need to get a career. With this being said, I realize that some people need to work to make it through school. My advice would be to work as little as possible to still make it through.
ReplyDeleteIts an absolute waste of energy trying to pay off your tuition while in school unless you have a high salary. Starting at a base and at the lower ranks of seniority, It takes too much time to focus on both school and a job intently. If it were me I would be working to get my grades as high as possible for a long term goal rather than getting the head start now in my career.
ReplyDeleteIf you can balance a job and get good grades, you are able to show your ability to manage time well. This can be something to make you stand out. However, if you find grades slipping--and cannot combine both well--I say, take the debt.
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