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

[user101]

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.

 

[fizziks]

Does the TA help pay for your tuition? Actual industrial experience would appeal more than the TA position. The more experience, the better.

 

[user101]

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.

 

[cristo]

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.

 

[user101]

Yeah :/ They pay the MS and PhD students for TA'ing, and the UG students with credits... wish we got some money, too.

 

[mr_coffee]

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.

 

[user101]

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.