Part time job during grad school

[WeR2014]

So like the rest of you, I don't want to have a lot of debt after getting my master's. I don't have any undergrad loans but I will definitely have debt after grad school.

Obviously I'll be taking a loan out for tuition but I've been thinking of how I'm going to be able to pay for rent every month. Now-a-days, that's obviously not cheap as well. I was wondering if it's basically impossible to have a part time job during SLP grad school or if it's manageable? I know I'll probably have to sacrifice some weekends which I'm fine with. But I'm just trying to see if I'm going to have to take a separate loan out for that as well.

Oh the joys of getting your master's...

[ImpulsiveNixie]

It depends on how efficient you are with your time and how highly you regard your free time. Keep in mind, some programs don't allow you to work a second job. While I know there are exceptions and it has been done, it is rare and usually not recommend. A good friend of mine in the program tried to work through her first semester and quit (her job) within the first month and a half. This was because, while she could manage both, it was not worth the stress. 

 

The weekends are a nice way to: 1) destress or 2) catch up. Sometimes you are not to know what you need the weekend for until its there. 

 

Good luck if you do though. 

[aucinema]

Honestly, if you can avoid working during graduate school, I would. School is going to take up A LOT of your time, and you will need free time to catch up on work as well as catch up on rest. There is a reason that most programs discourage students from working outside of the program. If at all possible, I recommend focusing on school now and worrying about the debt later. You don't want to burn yourself out or let your academics suffer.

[plmgis]

I have also heard from current students that it is rare to have a job while completing the program, but at the same time many students have mentioned working as research assistants and doing related work with professors, or having work-study awards.  I never thought to put two and two together to ask about it when I visited programs, but it seems like some students do work part-time, at least within the program..?  Not really sure if I'm asking a question or just making a statement, but if anyone has any thoughts/something to add please feel free.

[lexical_gap]

It is possible, but realistically, putting in more than 15-20 hours a week is difficult.  I'm currently working as a research assistant.  There is no way I could pay for cost of living based on the pay.  It's basically extra spending money.

[Papaya91]

I've heard from all the grad students I've spoken to that it's difficult, if not impossible, to hold a job while in this program. Although it's tempting to try to save money, I don't think it would be worth letting your education possibly suffer. Yes, loans are hard to deal with, but if you live frugally, and don't have a family or other financial obligations, you can pay them off in just a few years. Otherwise there are forgiveness and repayment options where you pay for a certain length of time, but the rest is forgiven afterwards.

I think a better way to cut down your education costs would be to apply for lots of scholarships! The applications don't take much time, and even if it's for a smaller amount of money (like $500 instead of in the thousands) - you spent maybe an hour on that application. Let's say minimum wage is $10/hour... in that hour you've made 50x what you'd earn in an hour at a part time job.

[LifeJourney]

I'm planning on working from 8-16 hours a week.