Full Time School, TA'ing, Co-op?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of balancing a full course load in Electrical Engineering with a teaching assistantship (TA) and a potential co-op position. Participants explore the implications of time management, workload, and the value of experience gained from each role.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their current commitments, including a full course load and a TA position, while considering a co-op opportunity that requires approximately 20 hours of work per week.
  • Another participant questions whether the TA position provides any financial benefit, suggesting that industrial experience might be more valuable than the TA role.
  • A participant expresses concern about the feasibility of managing both the TA position and the co-op, noting that the TA role may allow for some flexibility in time management.
  • Some participants highlight the lack of payment for undergraduate TAs, contrasting it with the compensation received by graduate students.
  • There is a discussion about the expectations of co-op positions, with one participant asserting that co-ops typically offer compensation and valuable experience, which could enhance a resume.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value and manageability of the TA position versus the co-op. There is no consensus on whether the co-op is worth the additional workload, and opinions vary on the financial aspects of both roles.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the time commitment required for both the TA and co-op roles, as well as the importance of maintaining personal fitness, which adds another layer of complexity to their schedules. The discussion reflects varying expectations regarding compensation for TA and co-op positions.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in STEM fields considering balancing coursework with work commitments, particularly those interested in teaching assistantships and co-op positions.

user101
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I'm a 3rd year EE. I'll be taking the regular courseload for an EE (Control Theory and Systems, Applied Emag, Digital Communications, Junior Lab, and a 1-credit course). I'll also be TA'ing a sophomore level Digital Logic Design class. This comes to about 20 credits.

There's an opening at a Lockheed Martin Space Systems company here, for a software co-op. It says approx 20 hours a work per week.

Is this manageable? Has anyone done something like this?

I'm also concerned because I go to the gym at least 4-5x a week, so that's 6 hours lost per week for personal fitness. I need to go to the gym to keep sane throughout the semester, so dropping this activity is not a choice :(

Should I not TA and try for the Co-op? I've already registered for the TA'ing spot, got the instructor approval.

I'm just trying to be a more ideal candidate for my job and gain as much experience. I've already had one internship and already have one secured at another company this upcoming summer.
 
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Does the TA help pay for your tuition? Actual industrial experience would appeal more than the TA position. The more experience, the better.
 
Nah, it doesn't. It's for credits. I'm a little concerned with the time issue of both. TA'ing won't be that bad, considering that if no one comes to office hours, I can just work on my own homework. If they do, no problem. But with the co-op, that may take 20-25 hrs a week. Seems like a lot. I think I might not do the Co-op.
 
I wouldn't have thought you'd be able to take a 20 hour per week "job" onboard as well as undertaking the third year of a full time degree. I'm surprised you don't get paid for the TA work, though.
 
Yeah :/ They pay the MS and PhD students for TA'ing, and the UG students with credits... wish we got some money, too.
 
You don't get paid as a co-op ? why not? I got paid quite nicely for 8 month co-op, a part time co-op should be the same. Lockeed isn't a small company either.

In the end the co-op will be greater experience, it will be more work though. But it will stand out a ton on your resume.
 
mr_coffee said:
You don't get paid as a co-op ? why not? I got paid quite nicely for 8 month co-op, a part time co-op should be the same. Lockeed isn't a small company either.

In the end the co-op will be greater experience, it will be more work though. But it will stand out a ton on your resume.

I would get paid for the co-op. I do not get paid for the TA. The co-op is a school + work thing, not a full-time job type co-op.
 

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