Working while doing a postgrad course?

Debt_Robot

Hi,

I have a dilemma about a masters course I should be doing in September 2008.

I was told that the MA is really intense and they do not advise students to work at all.

I am currently working at the moment in admin and I have another temp admin job lined up starting next week so I will be working two jobs.

My current debt is:
-Natwest Student Credit Card: -£299
-Natwest Student Overdraft: -£2,049

I am going to call Natwest tomorrow and talk about the student account but what is troubling me is will it truly hurt my MA degree if I can find a part-time job where I work like 16 hours a month?

Any thoughts? I am hoping to have my credit card cleared by the beginning of September but what I am worried about is the overdraft since I have until July 09 until the interest starts coming!

Any advice is appreciated

jackk_2

My tutor did her MA part time, is that not a do-able option for you?

Jackie x

melancholly

i think you should start with the part-time work and then you can cut it down or drop it if it's too much. i think a weekend job wouldn't do too much harm. most postgrads don't do the social scene as much as undergrads and you should have time to do some work. many departments offer masters students work marking undergrad work, so at least a few hours should be ok. this will depend on the course obviously.

natwest were very good to me and converted me back to a student account so i didn't need to worry about interest on my overdraft.

one thing that slightly concerns me is that you have about 7 weeks and are only expecting to have paid off your credit card by then - i think you can be more ambitious about clearing more debt by then. it may be a frugal time, but with two jobs it should be do-able. the more you can do now, the better it will be when you start the course.

celyn90

You should have no issue getting a student account. I think the work will not be a problem, but you have to find your own level - then again, you can always chuck it in if you are finding it too much. Is there any work available round the Uni? I did student support, library work, lab demonstrating and exam invigilating for extra cash because it paid well and I also mark public exams once a year. OH did bar work at his college which was good for him as the shifts were flexible and did a lot of psychology studies plus some translation work. best of luck in finding something suitable, cel

Keeping_Motivated

You're starting to make me worry now as I am starting a Masters in September and I will be working 4 days per week plus I have children to look after too... I thought it would be hard work but I thought that was perfectly doable am I overestimating myself?

celyn90

Keeping_Motivated wrote: »

You're starting to make me worry now as I am starting a Masters in September and I will be working 4 days per week plus I have children to look after too... I thought it would be hard work but I thought that was perfectly doable am I overestimating myself?

You have to find what is right for you. I worked all the way through my degree (science) and was fine - it was hard work, but doable. A lot of the time it depends on your subject - if you an art-based person you may be more flexible than say - someone who has to be in lab between certain hours. A friend of mine worked full time and did a full time MA at Cambridge in humanities and was fine - she did her library work on her days off and in the evenings. What's important is that you find the right balance for you. I wouldn't worry now, you can always rearrange things down the line if you need to. best of luck, cel

pandora205

Lots of post grad students have to work and achieve good results too. You just have to be realistic about the rest (social life, keeping fit etc) and fit it in when you can.

I'm not in your position but I am busy, as I work full time in a demanding job, am studying for a doctorate and have kids too... Planning and juggling are the key, not that I'm that good at it yet!

Anything is possible (I hope!)

Good luck with your studies - and enjoy it too!

Keeping_Motivated

celyn90 wrote: »

You have to find what is right for you. I worked all the way through my degree (science) and was fine - it was hard work, but doable. A lot of the time it depends on your subject - if you an art-based person you may be more flexible than say - someone who has to be in lab between certain hours. A friend of mine worked full time and did a full time MA at Cambridge in humanities and was fine - she did her library work on her days off and in the evenings. What's important is that you find the right balance for you. I wouldn't worry now, you can always rearrange things down the line if you need to. best of luck, cel

Thanks for that, trouble is I can't afford to give up my job plus wouldn't really want to as it would be hard to get another so if something has to give it will be the MA but I will try my best, just going to try and take it module by module and not look at the whole picture or I'll be stressssed

Thanks again

Debt_Robot

Thanks for all your fabulous pieces of advice. It has really helped me open my eyes. Jackie, actually part-time is an option I had not even thought about but now I may consider it!!

I will be doing a Journalism Masters and the tutors were adamant that work would impede but to be quite frank, I agree that it should be doable.

I had a part-time this year in final year and it was okay so I hope it may transfer over. I know finding a part-time job in London is difficult so I am going to start looking now.

@melancholly, you are absolutely right. the more I do now the better. I suppose it is just the concept of tightening my belt which is always difficult!

pandora205

You may find doing your course leads to some paid employment that is job related. I know that some journalism students do work experience on newspapers, television or radio stations and end up being paid for work after a while. So it might be worth exploring this as a possibility - it would help your course rather than interfere and may even lead to your future career.