Can you obtain a BSEE while working full-time?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) while working full-time. Participants share their experiences and opinions regarding the challenges and time management required to balance full-time work and full-time studies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that making time for studies is essential, likening it to any other commitment outside of work.
  • Others argue that managing both full-time work and study (totaling 80 hours a week) is more than most people can handle.
  • A participant who worked part-time shared their decision to reduce work hours to focus on studies, indicating that full-time work while studying is particularly challenging.
  • One participant noted that while it is possible to manage both, it often leads to a lack of depth in understanding the material, as they only had time to complete assignments and pass tests.
  • Another participant mentioned their plan to triple major while working full-time, expressing a willingness to sacrifice personal time for their academic goals.
  • Some participants provided a breakdown of weekly hours, suggesting that there could be enough time left for personal activities if managed well, while others questioned the practicality of such calculations.
  • Concerns were raised about the societal expectation to fully dedicate oneself to academic pursuits at the expense of a balanced life.
  • A hypothetical scenario was presented about the possibility of managing studies if work responsibilities were minimal.
  • One participant clarified their intention to pursue full-time studies while working full-time, prompting further discussion on the implications of this choice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the feasibility of balancing full-time work and full-time studies, with some believing it is manageable and others asserting it is overly demanding. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions regarding time management, personal sacrifice, and the nature of work responsibilities, which may affect their perspectives on balancing work and study. There is also a lack of consensus on the impact of such a workload on academic performance and personal well-being.

pr0blumz
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Hello ladies and gentlemen. First, Merry Christmas to all. Now, I would like know your opinions on being able to obtain a BS in EE while working full-time. I'm asking because next semester I will transfer from a CC and I have been working full-time up until this point. Do any of you think working will take too much time away from my studies? How any of you done this before? Thanks
 
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You're going to have to make time for your studies, just like you'd have to make time for any other outside-of-work activity. It will be difficult, but if you really want it you'll make the time.
 
Full time study is 40 hours a week. Full time work is 40 hours per week. 40+40=80, which is more than most people can handle.
 
Yea I was working part time (20-30 hrs) and this is my last week because I wanted to focus on my studies.

Its not easy and especially working full time, I just can't see that happening. Not without sacrificing sleep, occasional fun, and top grades. All of which I consider important (maybe not so much the latter haha).

This is of course assuming you obtain the degree going full time (which in engineering is way more than the 12 credit minimum for full time)
 
It isn't fun but doable and it definitely takes some getting used to. As long as you don't mind doing nothing but work, school and sleep.

After two years of 40 hrs work and 15-16 credit hours I broke down and am only taking 9 next semester.

For me it came down to learning the material. With that much work and school I was only able to do enough to complete homework and pass tests. I ended up with all A's, but my knowledge isn't the best and I think it will hurt me once I get farther along in my classes.
 
I'm in the same boat, kind-of - I'm going back to school to work on a second B.S. and I'm going to triple major in: Physics, Math and Astronomy while working full-time and studying full-time. I will have no life but I'm willing to sacrifice it to achieve this goal.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Full time study is 40 hours a week. Full time work is 40 hours per week. 40+40=80, which is more than most people can handle.

There are 168 hours in a week.

168hrs - (40hrs for work + 40hrs for study) = 88 hours remaining.

88hrs - (8hrs of sleep x 7 nights a week) = 32 hours remaining

32hrs - (7hrs for the gym + 10hrs for travel and food shopping) = 15 hours remaining

15hrs for miscellaneous use; 23hrs if you sleep 7hrs a night.

More than enough for a focused mind to succeed at working full-time while studying full-time.
 
cla7907 said:
More than enough for a focused mind to succeed at working full-time while studying full-time.

Son, have you actually done this? Or are you guessing?

I maintain that 80 hours of solid work is too much for most people.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Son, have you actually done this? Or are you guessing?

I maintain that 80 hours of solid work is too much for most people.
I agree, especially with the "solid" part. Even 40 hours per week of solid work, really being concentrated on what you're doing during the whole of that time is a lot, let alone 80. It also seems to me lately that the societal brainwashing, where if you find a thing interesting, you are supposed to dedicate your whole life to it, leaving aside all else, has really taken its hold. It's awesome to have goals that you strive for, but what happened to living a well-balanced life?
 
  • #10
Hypothetically speaking, if I didn't do very much at work and had a lot of time to study then I should be ok?
 
  • #11
Working full time and attending a BS degree program full time is not going to be much fun, as Vanadium 50 points out. However, I am unclear if the OP is planning on undertaking such an endeavor (perhaps you could clarify?). Working full-time and studying part-time is not at all uncommon, with the obvious downside of taking longer to complete a degree.
 
  • #12
Yes, I plan to do so beginning in the Fall.
 

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