Decisions (job vs. school)

[Pollock]

I'm just going to throw this out there, but 60 hours a week at $21/hr is $73k/yr with 2 weeks off. That's probably more than the majority of MEs make even after quite a few years, and you probably work the same amount of time. 45 hours give you about $50k, much more than you would probably ever need unless you live in nyc or la.

What if you aren't working the 20 hours of overtime? What if other things don't go right? Suddenly not so pretty.

Also, the average offer for a BS graduate in ME at my school is $58,470/year, and probably for your typical 40 hour work week.

 

[theevilsharpie]

... but going to college is more than just getting a paper; it's a great transition state from being a kid to learning how to adapt to more freedom, social situations, meeting people, and having fun. We all know we have to go into the real world sometime, just some choose to delay it for a bit until he/she is mature enough.

You can "transition" from a kid to a responsible adult by getting a job or volunteering in your community. There no sense in spending tens of thousands of dollars for it.

As for going to grad school, academic and professional history is a major factor in the number of higher educational opportunities available to you. Someone that has a mediocre or irrelevant academic history and/or little relevant work experience is going to have a much more difficult time pursing professional or grad school opportunities than someone whose work experience and educational background complement each other.

 

[Q]

As for going to grad school, academic and professional history is a major factor in the number of higher educational opportunities available to you. Someone that has a mediocre or irrelevant academic history and/or little relevant work experience is going to have a much more difficult time pursing professional or grad school opportunities than someone whose work experience and educational background complement each other.

Yes that's 100% true. I hear so many people around campus talk about going to grad school or med school like it's a sure thing, they don't even hesitate when answering. It's a bit comical because it's not an easy thing; you need good grades, letters of recommendation, good GRE/GMAT, interview, and usually work experience. Med school is a whole 'nother level of toughness to get into.

 

[JS80]

Hmm go to school or start a career which will not exist in your prime earning years...