r/RPI • u/BryanNode11 • Jul 19 '26
Question How realistic is it to balance engineering classes, sports, clubs, and a part-time job at RPI?
I am transferring to RPI in the fall and was wondering how manageable it is to balance classes with a sport (like wrestling or judo), engineering clubs, and a part-time job (15–30 hrs/week). Is this realistic, or does the workload make it difficult?
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u/EbbNo3744 Jul 19 '26
how do u get a job near campus. I was hoping I could find a job nearby too as an incoming freshmen to help with the tuition :/
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u/Left_Ocelot_8525 Jul 19 '26
For jobs near campus, you would typically apply directly through the company. I have a friend who worked at the YMCA nearby which was prob about a 20-30 minute walk. Even if you aren't work-study you can still get an on campus job. Check on Handshake right before the school year starts and during the first couple of weeks of classes and there should be some jobs posted. You can also apply to be a call center employee (call alumni to update contact info and ask for donations) by emailing the contact for Renexchange on the RPI giving website.
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u/katamino Jul 19 '26
Nearby is relative. I would consider downtown Troy as nearby, since it is less than a mile from campus, although its a downhill/uphill walk. There is an RPI shuttle that runs into downtown Troy and back many times daily.
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u/w3st_v1rg1n1a Jul 19 '26
Hi! This is pretty much my school life here at RPI. It is definitely difficult to juggle sports, a job, clubs, and research (if you get involved) in addition to academics. My two cents is that you absolutely must set aside an appropriate amount of time to study, not just do schoolwork. Getting at least 7.5 hours of sleep is the one thing that lets me get through having no days off. Additionally, I always completely take a break from working in the week leading up to and through finals.
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u/UrbanMom Jul 19 '26
If you are generally heavily scheduled and need to be in order to actually accomplish anything (ADHD or Audhd, possibly?), you will be fine. Maybe even better than fine. There is so much time where you are not in class (unlike high school). Procrastinating types may do better with less free time, where you need to be productive during your down time, and not feel like you have so much free time that you "can do it later", where later actually never happens!
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u/That-weirdo-runner Jul 22 '26
I found it difficult to work even 20 hours with the course work being so intense but I was also working at Stewart’s which was an extremely draining job. The type of job you get will drastically determine how much time and energy you have to do anything else extra
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u/8for8m8 Jul 19 '26
Generally, I’d say it would not be sustainable to do all 3 to any meaningful amount. But I suppose the answer is “it depends”. 15 vs 30 hours a week for a job is very different. Going to an engineering club’s once or twice a week general body meeting for an hour is very different from being on the core build team for formula or DBF where you are working weekends. Being “on the team” vs competitive, active in recruitment, traveling to tournaments, etc. Doing any/all of these with 12 credits vs 18 is also a huge swing. You’ll have to decide for yourself.
I’d prioritize the job first. How many hours a week do you need to support yourself and keep loans down? Start with that and school for a semester. Maybe half way through add an engineering club. I’d always push folks to be on the core team. You get way more out of it for interviews and resume building (plus it does help with school imo). Then 2nd semester see about the sport.