II. Things to Consider |
A. School Life & the Work World |
Work - Full Time? - Part Time?
Combining work with the classroom can be a challenge, but business and industry is beginning to recognize that it is to their advantage to help you with your educational plans. Some employers, such as Boeing in Washington State, have educational facilities to rival many colleges. Others have cooperative programs with community colleges or four-year schools to enroll their employees through corporate programs. If you are thinking of returning to school to update work skills, consider letting your employer know of your educational plans. Many have programs that directly pay for classes or will reimburse you once classes are completed. Further on in the guide, you will find a listing of some of the businesses and corporations that offer educational benefits in the Pacific Northwest. These businesses will often also accommodate the student with flexible work scheduling so the student has time to attend class and study. Other students find "bread and butter" jobs while they're in school that fulfill the need for a steady income. While such jobs as waiting tables or checking at a grocery store may not be your ultimate goal, these jobs do offer a way to help pay for your education or put food on the table.
Another option to explore for work is that of work study, assistantships or being an intern on or off campus. The federal and state work study programs can be part of the financial aid package offered at most schools to students that qualify for financial aid. With these programs, the state or federal governments reimburse the business for part of the cost of hiring the student. The student is generally required to find the position in his or her area of study with a company qualified to receive work study funds. One advantage to the student of this type of employment is that the money earned through the program is not counted as income the following year for financial aid purposes. This will often allow the student to qualify for more aid the following school year. While the work study program limits the student to working only 20 hours per week, it can still be a good source of income for students who only plan to work part-time. Later in the guide you will see how these work study programs fit into the whole financial aid picture, but for now, be sure to consider this option as you think about work opportunities.
Other possibilities are those offered by internships and assistantships. An internship is a training position that may pay you to acquire work skills and experience while you're still a student. Some programs of study, especially those in business or public administration, may offer the student assistance in connecting with an internship position and allow the student to earn credit for the experience. Assistantships allow students to develop teaching skills in the classroom. These can be wonderful opportunities to put into practice what you have learned in the classroom, and will earn large dividends when applying for that first paying position in your field.