Are there any college graduates out there who worked full-time while studying?

Question

and/or graduates who entered college a little later than the norm?

Answer 1

Yes, I worked in a shipyard as a steelworker from the year I graduated High School until I was 23. During that time I accumulated enough college credits to become a sophomore in an engineering program. I was completely on my own since I graduated high school. I had an apartment, a car, and I can cook, so I survived.

IT WAS HARD! I spent all of my time away from work studying. Eventually I went to second shift so I could attend classes during the day. I would get to school at 8AM, take classes until 12 or 1PM, then go home pack a lunch and go to work. I worked from 4 to midnight. Then I would go home, shower, sleep for 5 or six hours and go back to school.

Once I had enough money saved, I quit work and attended college full time for the remaining 2-1/2 years to get my degree. I was able to work in construction at the shipyard during the summer and made enough money to support myself including some Pell Grants, student loans and scholarships for academic achievement.

I got my BSEE with high honors when I was 26, paid my loans back in 24 months, bought my first house with 18 months, and have had a successful career as an electrical engineer and marketing professional since.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I worked full time from 9am to 6pm for 5 days a week while attending college in the evenings and weekends. The good thing is you will be a better prepared person when u graduate compared to those who study full time because u have gone thru working life and u know what it takes to compete out there in the real world.

Answer 3

My schedule was a bit crazy... and I worked 3 part-time jobs... but yes, I did work full time and had a full school schedule.

I did this twice. Originally, I went to Eastern Illinois University and worked for the Daily Eastern News, @Magazine, and somewhere else (this job bounced around... either Arby's, Walmart, McLeodUSA as a telemarketer, and I had my own painting business in the town as well.)
It was crazy, but I did it.

After I graduated and decided to go back to college for my masters, I went to University of Phoenix (online) because it was supposed to be easier. I DID work through my masters for about half of the program and finally dropped it due to lack of interest. BUT I did work full time and worked on my masters degree. It can be done.