WIBU to drop out for this job?

[anerki101]

Totally hypothetical as I haven't applied for the job yet but I need to be sure before I do.

I'm currently in my second year of Uni as a mature student doing what lots of people think is a pointless degree. It won't lead directly to a career.

I'm a parent to a four year old who is possibly autistic. He's in reception. A job has come up at my child's school as the receptionist. The hours are perfect and would fit around my child and home life.

It's term time only so the money isn't great but whatever happens at the end of my degree, I would need a term time only job. So this fits the bill. It has just come up a bit early. Jobs at my child's school are few and far between. They have great retention and there's rarely any vacancies.

I'm really tempted to apply. I have a background in administration so fit the job description and lots of parents work at the school, some with children there and some with children who have moved up to secondary.

I would have to quit my degree if I got the job.

Should I apply and quit my degree if I get the job?

Just to add - I started the degree in the first place because its a subject I enjoy and because money was tight at the time and I needed something to fit around my chils. It gave me the opportunity to study for something I love and through student finance, gave us something to live on too!

I would and wish I had. Term time jobs are like hen’s teeth and the benefit of 13 weeks off - and no holiday childcare - is huge.

Could you possibly defer your degree or do it part time / online?

I really wouldn't drop out for this job. A degree - any degree - will seriously improve your employment prospects and earning power in the future. Don't listen to people who tell you it is "pointless" - this is simply not true. It is great that you are enjoying your subject and you will be learning lots of new skills. If you are feeling anxious about what might happen after the degree, do talk to the university career service - they will have lots of good ideas.

I can totally see the appeal of the job in the school, but ultimately that sort of work is low paid and has no career progression.

You are doing great to be studying with an autistic DC - good on you. Think long and hard before giving that up!

I would go for the job and then if you get it see if you can differ the course/go part-time/complete it in another way.

Good luck!

Take the job and either defer your studies or ask if you can do hours around the degree.
Is it distance learning or in person?

Can you shift the degree to part time and study in the evenings?

Can you take the job and transfer uni credits to the OU?

It's in person. I attend campus three times a week.

I was wondering about this. Will need to look into it!

Study with the ou and do the job too

Talk to your uni. At the very least you could take a Bread in Study for 12 months, which would allow you to defer the decision for another year, meaning you could officially drop out in a year, or go back to your studies if the job isn't what you want. Or yes, you may be able to take the credits you've accrued and use them towards another degree later, either in person or in the evening or with the OU.

Who cares what these people think who you say say it's pointless. You are doing it, not them. Apply for the job but do what you can to get your degree.

No. Don’t do it - I have a part-time term-time non teaching role in a school, I’m at the top of my pay grade and my pay is so low I don’t pay tax. As tempting as this role is for you now, mid-long term that degree will open up far more higher-paying jobs, which will have a huge impact on your ability to support your family and your pension/retirement. Think long term!

Apply for the job and talk to uni about transferring credits or if they do a distance learning option.

If you ge the job and finish degree it could also be a sprong board into an lea role.

I would apply and see what pans out, certainly don't make any decisions about quitting studying until it was a done deal. One thing I have noticed (in DC's school at least) is that a lot of school vacancy are advertised out of duty/protocol when there is already someone lined up. This happened with the last two vacancies, secretary and deputy head (both already worked at a different school in the same academy trust)

No don’t drop out of uni, that’d be a waste of
time and you won’t get chance to get a degree again as you won’t get funding for a second time.
taking a school job now might seem perfect but it’s very short sighted, you only “need” school hours term time only job til your child is at secondary, and there are other pet time options plus wraparound care and holiday clubs so you don’t need a job in a school at all. How do you think all the other parents work? We don’t all have part time term time only jobs!

As PP have suggested already - taking the job and continuing your study by distance learning should be possible. The OU isn't the only option - your current uni may have some distance learning or part time courses.

I'd apply and see if you actually get offered the job first - school admin jobs tend to have a lot of competition as lots of parents want the term-time hours. That said, often the quality of applicants isn't great, so if you fit the part, you might stand a good chance.

I really would recommend not giving up on the studies though, as that will be of so much benefit to you in the future and open so many doors. It doesn't matter how relevant the subject it etc. having a degree gives you opportunities that in the long run will stand to you.

I would apply and then decide.

Chances are half the school will also apply and they’ll give it to someone with experience or that is already working in the school.

They may also find it off putting if you quit your degree.

You’ll have much better chances at securing a job once you’ve got your degree so I would just focus on that.

Do you mind saying what the degree is and why you chose it?

Apply for the job. Worry about excepting it once you’ve been offered the position.

apply - the process will take some time, find out all the options regarding a break/transfer to OU while that's on.
If your son is autistic and needs lots of care, it doesn't sound as if climbing the career ladder is going to be your top priority anytime soon.

I did an MSc as a mature student, very directly related to career rather than something I love (50, no first degree, but have a professional qfn) TBH don't think it's made too much difference.

It's creative writing

It's creative writing

That sounds great!

Definitely apply for the job and if you get an interview then decide what you want to do about this course.

But you may find that if you don’t get this job it may come up again or an even better one comes up, once you’ve finished your course.