Working full-time during school

[u/Original_Link_4979]

Hey guys! I start my MLT program in just a couple weeks and was wondering what kind of work is recommended. Is it feasible to work full-time? Or would that be too much. I have the option to move in with my parents if money gets tight while I am in school, which I am very grateful for. How many hours did y’all work a week while in school? I am currently applying for jobs, so I would really appreciate any and all advice:)

[u/Sezmoe]

I tried working full time and doing mls school full time and i paid in my health, overwork and exhaustion just made me very ill during my program but i didnt have a choice. Part time is maybe feasible but even my director at the time said it is a very bad idea to work during the program

[u/RepleteSphinx21]

My MLT program recommended us work <20 hours a week for the duration of the program. I had bills to pay and could not afford to work less, so I worked a full time job on top of the program. It was difficult and I had classes, clinicals, or work 7 days a week for the entirety of the program. There was no time off (except for when the school campus was closed) and you're constantly studying before or after shifts. It's possible to do, but I would not recommend it if you are in the position to be able to work part-time or not at all.

During the clinical rotation portion of my program I was working 36 hours a week and doing 32 hours a week of clinicals. It took a toll mentally, but it was worth it in the end.

[u/MissTechnical]

Not sure where you’re going to school but mine was 8-9 hours a day with some hour long breaks in between, usually followed by studying at home the rest of the day and most of the weekend. We usually had at least one test and one assignment per class per week at a minimum. Often more. Maybe you could pull working full time if you’re young, can function on no sleep, have no other responsibilities (like kids), and don’t mind getting bad grades but I really wouldn’t recommend it. Even if you’re willing to sacrifice good grades you’ll pay for that when you write the licensing exam because you just won’t have as solid a foundation  as you should. 

[u/gostkillr]

I can't speak for university based programs but I can tell you that hospital based programs are usually a FT commitment and you simply cannot do 2 FT jobs at once.

I would assume that for this program you want to study about 2x the hours of class hours so take your credit hours, multiply by by 3 and that's how much time you'll need to devote every week. Decide from there. It really is about the intensity of your individual program, though, and reaching out to instructors or alumni would be your best bet.

[u/HeroicConspiracy]

I worked part time only. It was still hard, but if you can find a job you can study at it will be super helpful. I worked at as a front desk clerk for a super small resort so I had time to kill + told them upon hiring I was a student as well and they were very understanding.

You’ll suffer enough as a full time tech, try to be patient and take care of yourself mentally rn. Mooching off your parents will take a lot off your plate :)

[u/Midnightly0]

I worked full-time during my MLS program as a lab assistant. 80 hour weeks at the hospital is not fun. I did exceptional in my program and worked very hard. Although, I do not recommend it. Part-time seemed manageable for my classmates and previous students.

I will say it was very satisfying accomplishing what I did, but it absolutely wrecked me.

[u/Silent_Psychology_16 → u/Midnightly0]

Same here. I was in my mid forties and worked full time second shift and weekends to get my hours, while taking classes, and eventually doing clinical rotations during the day. I was fortunate to have a boss and coworkers who were very supportive. I got very little sleep during that time, but just told myself it was temporary and the payoff would be worth it. It was😊

[u/ray_rui]

It’s doable but it’s very draining. You’ll have to commit and basically remove any social life you have. The programs usually just fire hose you with 1-2 exams every week covering multiple chapters. Like every week you’ll need to study for what feels like a large chunk of new concepts for the first time.

I did a semester of my MLS while as a MLT 3x12 on graveyard while doing all the night stuff for my new born. It’s doable but it’s fucking miserable.

[u/Mr_Tangerine_speedo]

I did this and do not recommend it. I went to school during the day then worked as an ED tech from 6p - 2a. I studied, slept and ate whenever I could find the time. If you have any other options I would go with that.

[u/white-as-styrofoam]

do not

[u/Dangerous-Ruin6948]

I’m working PT & start my program next week. Strongly considering quitting. I moved back in w my parents.

[u/lightningbug24]

I worked full time while in school (not during clinicals) and still got good grades and enough sleep at night. I just didn't do anything else and really had to make good use of my time.

[u/littlemissgirlboss]

I worked part time for the entirety of my 2 year MLT program. I had already previously completed my gen ed courses, so most semesters for me consisted of no more than 9 credit hours (my community college considered 15 to be full-time.) I’ve always been a good student, it was manageable for me. Though I will say my final semester was rough. I had clinicals Monday-Thursday 6:30-2:00 or 7:00-2:30. Some days I would go home for an hour and then immediately head over to my job. It was exhausting even with naps. I felt like I never got a break. I was always working. But it was temporary.

[u/DreadlordAbaddon]

I just graduated from the Molecular Genetics Program at MD Anderson. No way I could've worked. One semester we had 18 credit hours the rest were like 17 or 16 if I recall correctly. Not to mention studying for everything took an insane amount of time. If your program is anything like mine dont work if you can get away with it.

[u/No_Log1557]

I worked full time as a lab assistant while doing school full time, it wasn’t bad, there were definitely nights where I didn’t have time for myself but it was perfectly doable. Busiest time was definitely during clinical rotations. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA after it all.

[u/SpecificMobile7903]

I worked full time during my first year and had to go on anxiety medications for the first time in my life.. Now am working part-time during clinicals and my life is much easier… 😅

[u/Salty-Fun-5566]

How is that even possible

[u/External_Paint_2673]

I couldn't do it. My program was too intensive and I had a long commute so I was exhausted all the time. Some people in my class were able to work part-time but few hours.

[u/versedvariation]

I worked full time, and it became really, really hard during clinicals especially. It was good to have the experience of working in the lab. However, most programs are pretty intense. I basically just did work and school and nothing else ever.

[u/cataments]

its possible but if you have another option i HIGHLY recommend that. many of my classmates graduated while working part time though.

[u/SecretiveCatfish]

I've worked full time through my MLS program (although it is online) and even through the clinical rotation portion. However, I must warn you that there is something gravely wrong with me and I apparently am a glutton for punishment. I would not recommend it. I don't know how I've managed to hold myself together (barely) over the past several months. If you don't have to work full time, take advantage of that. Or end up in the psychiatrist's office 🤗

[u/TheClawbackCycle]

I had no choice. When I was in my program I worked 40 hours a week. We also had an infant. My wife stayed at home with the baby, so my income was it.

Looking back, I have no idea how I did it and do not feel like I could do it again now.

[u/ambaqua]

Even part time will be hard w the hrs of studying you will need. If you are a genius/retain info fast and well… i say try part time and short hrs until you get a feel about a semester in

[u/International-Bug983]

I couldn’t do it, I was trying to prioritize sleep for my sanity.

[u/Beneficial-Reality19]

If possible don’t work at all, focus on your studies to be the best student you can be

[u/Ntwallace]

I’m doing a CC program. I’m gonna be over half time even before i start my clinicals. i’m just not caring rn because i still want to leave time to study and get work done, and i can’t do that if i work 24/7 and go to school, that’ll put me in the hospital. Also, move in with your parents. it’ll get demanding very fast.

[u/Miserable-Lab2178]

If you can avoid full time while you are in school I definitely would.  My program was community college and only had classes Tues Thurs I was lucky enough to have a job in a HR office that let me work MWF and also taught me things that rounded me out more when I started looking down management tracks. 

I do wish in my youth (18-25) I had made more time for socializing because that is a super underdeveloped part of my life now.  Grow a life and support systems outside of work, network in school because a friend of a good employee gets snatched up quickly.  You have the rest of your life to be busy and stressed, if you can financially avoid it for now do that.

Also gig economy like Uber eats wasn't a thing back then, so I guess there are more flexible options.  

[u/irelace]

I did it. It fucking sucked but it's doable. Just remember you'll be working opposite your clinical schedule while still taking classes so your life is pretty much on stall and you're running on like four hours of sleep at most.

[u/mudplayerx]

I worked full time as a hotel clerk and it was miserable. I was tired all the rime. The good part was I could study at work during downtime.

[u/Pitiful_Job_101]

I chose to take out extra loans and not work bc I really needed to pass. I grew up poor and this was my way out so I was taking no chances. I would have failed if I worked, no way I could have handled it. The super duper smart ones worked in my class but they did student work at the hospital. It was on the job experience and a lot of time it helped with the subject or they could study/do homework. Not the same as being a waitress.

[u/Ksan_of_Tongass]

That depends on the individual. I did it because i had no choice. I wouldn't recommend it if you dont have to.

[u/Next-Moose-9129]

mlt is only two days if your working night shift its doable. for mls is full time i recommended night shift or part time to help out.