<p>One of my relatives has been offered a full-time engineering job that he would like with a salary that is higher-than-average for college graduates from a family friend in a location he likes. </p>
<p>However, my relative is a college freshman.</p>
<p>I am writing because the student has asked his mother for advice (and she has asked me) because he would not be able to continue at his current college if he accepts this job.</p>
<p>The student has worked in various engineering-related jobs during summer and winter breaks. He seems to really enjoy working and is valued by his employers. He also seems to have no trouble finding jobs. College, on the other hand, has been tougher than anticipated, particularly in non-engineering courses, two of which he might not pass this semester.</p>
<p>The student's mother would like him to finish college at some point, and the student agrees that that is a good goal. One possibility might be to ask now whether the same offer would be available next year, after his sophomore year, so he can complete his non-engineering required courses. Then he could transfer to a college in the same location as the job and attend college at night. His tuition at either college is prepaid.</p>
<p>His mother and I think that the student might do well taking night classes if they are in his field and relate to his work. However, finishing college would take a lot longer.</p>
<p>What questions would you be asking at this point? What aspects of this decision should the student be considering?</p>
<p>By the way, there is no need for any snide remarks about how the student is 19 and an adult, and therefore can make this decision all by himself. We are not a family that would abandon a son at age 18 to make his or her own way in the world, and the student has asked for advice.</p>
<p>It is very difficult to work full time and take college classes at night. In my experience, one class at a time is the most that is truly feasible. Obviously, it will take a long time to graduate at that rate.</p>
<p>Why do you thing this student, who sounds as if he must be fairly bright, is close to failing two courses? I think that the answer to that question is very significant in determining the best course of action at this time.</p>
<p>I think the student is close to failing two courses (economics and English 102) because he was able to get by in high school with average grades without having to study very hard and did not develop good study habits. Also, he is perhaps less willing than necessary to put in the effort required for courses in which he has little interest.</p>
<p>I find neglecting two courses to the point of actually failing worrisome. I think he needs to regroup and mature before amassing a very poor undergraduate record and wasting time and money.</p>
<p>Sounds as if he could withdraw from college and work for at least a couple of years, take a few courses at night if he wished, then potentially return full time as a non-traditional student somewhere and finish. I think that in the long run he would probably find it difficult without the credential. </p>
<p>Yes, there are certainly some people who achieve great success without a degree, but they are the exception, not the rule. If he turns out to be one of them, he needn’t bother with more schooling unless he develops a true interest in it.</p>
<p>Thank you, Consolation! I have read many of your posts over the years, and appreciate your advice. This seems to focus my thoughts on this question:</p>
<p>Would it be better to earn a bachelor’s degree with a mediocre GPA over a five-year period (four years of which have prepaid tuition) or to accept a good job offer and run the risk that the degree will not be completed, limiting future opportunities?</p>
<p>Take the job which interests him more right now than college (since he is not putting much effort into that). He can reevaluate later and go back to college if and when he really wants to.</p>
<p>One note of caution. If he takes the job and then starts to make long term financial commitments (car payments, a mortgage, etc.), he may find it very difficult to ever return to college as a full time student.</p>
<p>He should check on his current school’s withdrawal and readmission policy. In many schools, a student who withdraws in good academic standing can return relatively easily to continue his/her studies. But that needs to be checked to make sure this is the case at his current school.</p>
<p>Of course, he should avoid failing or doing poorly in any courses, because having poor grades may prevent easy readmission after withdrawal, and would make transferring to another school more difficult.</p>
<p>While he may be able to get a good job now through the family friend, he may be more limited in getting other jobs without a degree when he does not have the connection.</p>
<p>If he’s not getting anything out of college now (and is on the verge of failing relatively easy courses), then he should seriously not consider continuing for now, even if that meant having to work as a barista. That he has a potential job should make this an easier, not a harder, decision.</p>
<p>Of course, he should finish his degree, either at night, on a sabbatical from work, or if he happens to get laid off. </p>
<p>I am a huge fan of gap years. I think there are a lot of students who benefit from getting out of the college bubble, working, and interacting with the general public. The break can really help to focus a student, make him appreciate what college (and a degree) has to offer, and help him be a more diligent, less stressed student.</p>
<p>I am happy to report that the student has shown great effort in his English class, rewriting a paper and doing all the extra credit available. The professor was so impressed by his renewed effort that, instead of averaging the original grade and the grade for the revision, she will replace the original grade with that of the revision of that paper. As a result, he fully expects to pass English 102. His grade in economics is still uncertain, however.</p>
<p>My relative now plans to complete his sophomore year before accepting a full-time job. </p>
<p>I am very grateful for all the responses, as is the student’s mother!</p>