Should I take up this job and school?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I want to get some additional advice online on my situation so please read my situation.</p>

<p>I am currently a 3rd year computer science major but I will most likely be graduating March 2012 of my fifth year. This next spring quarter, I have the option of taking 12 units and a small part-time job at a small, local software company OR just taking 16 units.</p>

<p>My GPA isn't the best so I am looking to raise it by the time I graduate. Now I wasn't expecting to work in the spring but the company here would only hire me if I started working right away.</p>

<p>Now the software company that I'd be working for isn't really in the field in which I want to get into after college. They work with software development with the government and I am wanting to get into computer graphics and AI. The place where I'm going to school doesn't offer much in terms of engineering opportunities, so this may be the only company that I could work part-time while attending school.</p>

<p>I wanted to know whether I should take up the job or commit the whole quarter to school. My main concern is what a company (such as one that I would intern in the summer before my 5th year) think of me having prior experience? </p>

<p>Please let me know what you would do in this situation or if you have any advice. I appreciate it a lot, thanks. Also if you know, what would be a good part-time hourly wage for a software developer? Because I could just take up another part-time job that doesn't relate to my major, but may be easier. Thank you again.</p>

2

<p>Prior experience is a very important asset when looking for a job. It might even trump high GPA in certain cases. If I were you, I will take the part time job and try to learn as much as I can from it. You can look at this as takiing another 4 unit of class but someone is giving you a very good scholarship to do it. Treat it as learning rather than a job. There are so much to learn in an actual job that you might not get by just going to classes.</p>

3

<p>This is an interesting situation. If finances are an issue, then taking longer to get your degree could cost you a few bucks. In CS, experience trumps GPA most of the time.</p>

<p>Perhaps you could analyze the company to see what their prospects are. Do they have existing contracts going out a reasonable amount of time? Have they already shipped products? What is the general impression of their products in the marketplace? Would they offer you a full-time job and pay your tuition for a course or two a semester? Are they taking a chance on you or do they already know your work and want you because of what they’ve seen?</p>

<p>I would take the job, either part-time or full-time. You can always finish school later on.</p>