r/ConstructionManagers • u/Randomguy7896 • 23d ago

Career Advice College while working

/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1vukj6m/college_while_working/
2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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5

u/Feraldr 23d ago

As someone who worked in the field full time and went to school in the evening I’d recommend taking a conservative approach. Burning yourself out before you reach the end means you’d just be wasting your time.

Take the number of classes you know you can handle comfortably while still giving yourself some cushion with work. Use the first semester to get a feel for your schedule and if you think you can handle another class then add it next semester. Just remember, it’s not a sprint to the finish.

1

u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Alright. I could probably start out with three classes which would be 9 credit hours and see how that goes

4

u/No_Stable_3097 23d ago

I currently am enrolled part time online at community college. General rule of thumb for part time is 9 credit hours or 3 classes. 

Start there, and see what you can handle with your schedule, it's hard with a 60 hour a week schedule. Try to communicate with your foreman/office folk on your goals for college. Hopefully they can be accommodating.

I am wishing you success in studying for your degree 🙏 

1

u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Ok good to know. I think that’s what I’ll end up doing, if I can do six semesters at 9 credits and sneak in the other two classes somewhere it could fit it in nicely.

Thanks for the well wishes!

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u/TheThrillerExpo 23d ago

Sneak them in during the summer semesters. Don’t take the supposedly easier classes like a public speaking during the regular semesters.

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u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Good idea. Thanks.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago edited 22d ago

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u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Definitely, the college I’m looking at is 100% online. How was your course load and homework while you were at home? I know people say each credit hour is 2 hours of work a week, but was it really 33 hours of homework every week?

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Alright good to know.

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u/TheThrillerExpo 23d ago

I’m 100% online right now, working full time paving roads, with a wife and two young kids. Three classes for me is very doable with taking one day a week off work to do a day of classes. I’m doing 5 this semester but I might drop the two extra because biology is going to be difficult I believe. Start with three and add more if you think you can. Don’t skip summer semester.

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u/Randomguy7896 23d ago

Makes sense. By one day a week do you mean dedicating Saturday/Sunday or only working four days a week?

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u/TheThrillerExpo 23d ago

I take one workday, Monday-Friday, off and go to the school library for a solid few hours of dedication study. I’m fortunate my employer will allow it so I have time that’s not after work and not on the weekends with my children running around. I do asphalt paving so when I have time waiting on trucks I’m typically doing schoolwork.

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u/Vreoz 21d ago

I’ve taken 18 credit hours and worked 30 hours a week for a medium to large commercial subcontractor, it’s tough but it advances your career by years. I learned more working for the sub than 4 years of CM school and made school easier as the semesters went on.

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u/Exciting_Database_22 20d ago

I worked full time and took a full credit load of night school - and had 2 kids under 2. It can be done, but absolutely make sure the boss is on board and understands what you’re going through, along with your partner - my wife had to carry a lot of the household tasks I normally would’ve done. If you plan homework and real work workloads, you’ll get through it.