Should I keep working or quit and finish my degree?

Question

I am a 27 year old male. I have been working full time for a nonprofit making $33k a year. I am also half way to getting my bachelors. During the past couple of years I have been going part time to school which has worked out ok. I am getting to the point now where it is becoming more and more difficult to get classes that work with my schedule. So I am considering quitting my job at the end of this year so I can give my all to finishing school. Financially, I have $30k in savings, my rent and billls are very low. . I also make a few hundred bucks a month selling on ebay on the side which pays my bills and allows me to not use any of my savings, I don't pay rent cause I do snow removal and grass cutting for my building. My job would not allow me to go to part time. I am a very smart person but in the past have made some bad choices when it comes to school work etc. I am going for a degree in finance & accounting. What should I do?

Answer 1

If it is your goal to stay in the nonprofit world, then it makes sense to keep working. If, however, you plan to move into some other field altogether after graduation, and that field would be more lucrative, then quit and focus on school.

Think of it this way, since you are a finance & accounting major. Let's say that you go to school for two more years and incur an opportunity cost of $66K in salary. Let's say you then work for another 25 years, earning an average of an additional $20K (I'm being conservative)/year because of your degree. That would bring you an additional $500K over the course of your lifetime, which would more than cover the lost salary and any interest which might accrue.

Answer 2

Congrats I am doing pretty much the same thing, and I must admit its HARD. I would suggest to look for employment in retail business such as cell phones, you will get a base pay and can make commision ( which you can use to pay your bills since they are low). You may not be making what you are making now but you wont be using everything in your savings which i think that would be awful. Therefore you would have a part time job and you can attend to school full time or almost full time. It is worth it. Trust me once you finish school you will be making a lot more than 33k a year and have room to move up. And I know its not easy at all, my major is accounting. Keep up the great work, and I wish you the best with your decision and School.

Answer 3

Sounds like you'd be wise to become more educated. Every time I've gotten more education I've gotten better jobs and more money.

I now have a dream job and make much more money that I ever thought I would. I got my last degree while working full time with 2 kids at age 52.

Just heard yesterday on the radio the accounting is among the most in demand professions to be in.

Spend the time and money and invest in yourself. The years will go by whether you go back to school or not.

Answer 4

I think you should quit work and finish school. I've done what you are doing. I worked in the daytime and went to school at night. At some point, I had to drop out of school because work was too demanding and I had to put in alot of overtime. Later in life I had an opportunity to go to school full time and I took it. It is sooooo much better being a full time student. Looking back, I don't know how I handled working full time and going to school at night. I applaud you for your efforts and determination. You have a way to go to school full time, you should take advantage of it. It is much easier going to college when you're in your 20's than it will be later on in life. Don't let money imprison you. Take the leap.

Answer 5

why dont you go to an online school this way you will finish your degree meanwhile you keep your job. there is some good online schools out there like phoenix. good luck.

Answer 6

Quit and get your degree...You'll make alot more money in the future if you do.