Anonymous
Post 06/09/2018 07:34     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:My son will be attending a local university in the fall. It’s about a 20-30 min commute depending on traffic. So far he’s registered for 15 units. My husband and I Were discussing whether or not he should work while he’s going to school. So far we’ve agreed that his first year should be solely focused on his studies. However, we would like him to work his 2nd year forward.
Both my husband and I worked while we did our undergrad mainly only bc our parents didn’t want to provide for us financially anymore.
Parents, did your kids work while in college/university? If so, how many hours? Did it affect their grades? We’re thinking that he would be better off working part time if he does work.


Both DH and I worked full time while in school full time. We are extremely successful today. I attribute that to our work ethic and the fact that we were not handed out lives on a silver platter I feel that my advantaged kids are at a disadvantage. They are not resilient, not resourceful, and cant handle stress well.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2018 07:10     Subject: Working while in college/university
I worked 20 hours per week all 4 years of undergrad (except the semester I was abroad). Parents paid room, board, tuition and books. The rest was on me (going out with friends, buying any additional clothes, food once I was off the meal plan, etc.). I also worked as much as I could over the summer. Was NBD, grades were mostly As, every once in a while a B.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 15:47     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:Research shows a positive correlation between grade schools and work for low numbers of hours. More,than 15 has a detrimental effect.

Our plan is to have him not work until he is successful at getting into his restricted major, assuming he will be, but maybe try to work in his area or intern I. His area after sophomore year.

I'm already in this for about $120,000. I don't want to put pressure over a small amount of money.


I had to do a 16 hour a week internship my senior year. For my master's I had to do a 24 hour internship plus take the normal 15-18 credits. It absolutely impacted my grades. The small amount they earn is not worth it. I want mine to work summers or do an internship. Its our job to provide support as we are choosing college for them.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 15:33     Subject: Re:Working while in college/university
For undergrad, I did not work during the school year, but I was in an honors program plus I had to maintain a certain GPA to keep my academic scholarships. The amount of the scholarships was far more than I could have made at a part time job, and I didn't feel able to manage school plus work without jeopardizing my scholarships. My parents and I split the remainder of the loans for college.

For grad school, I paid 100% of everything. Tuition, housing, books, living expenses, etc. I managed full time school, an internship, and two part time jobs. It was nuts, but I did it and kept my grades up. In a weird way the academics were less demanding, though, than my undergrad. I did not sleep enough, was super stressed, and had TMJ before graduation. But I did it.

I think you just have to look at the whole picture. What you can afford, what your values are about your child contributing to his educational costs (by scholarships, loans, or work), and the demands of his major.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:57     Subject: Working while in college/university
Research shows a positive correlation between grade schools and work for low numbers of hours. More,than 15 has a detrimental effect.

Our plan is to have him not work until he is successful at getting into his restricted major, assuming he will be, but maybe try to work in his area or intern I. His area after sophomore year.

I'm already in this for about $120,000. I don't want to put pressure over a small amount of money.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:27     Subject: Working while in college/university

Op here. He has worked for the past 3 summers and has about ~$3,000 saved. My FIL has a construction company and he would go help out. It’s ridiculous to think that a child would be able to save up thousands and thousands to pay for their own tuition. We saved about $70,00 for his college and since he’ll be living at home we won’t have to spend money on housing
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:26     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don’t you think your 19 year old can decide for himself if he has time to work and how much?


It sounds like he's going to live at home. Some parents charge adult children rent. I know mine did.


We do not plan to support him financially for all his expenses. We’ve agreed to pay for his tuition and books. He’s living at home. We don’t want him to rely on us for money. He will not be joining any sports. He’s interested in a frat, but we still think he should work if he joins one. We’ve also discussed an internship. If it’s unpaid, then most likely we won’t require him to work. It’s not about him “deciding.” If he does work, well expect him to pay for his phone and car, clothes and other things he may want. I guess it also depends on how much he’ll make.


Wow, if you can afford to help, why wouldn't you? I don't get parents like that. Work or internship summers, school during the school year.


This has nothing to with us “affording” or not. We want him to learn the value of working and making your own money. Our son is very smart and I have no doubt he’ll be able to balance school and working. It’s not that’s difficult for those who are good students.


Shouldn't he know that by now? Ideally he would have been working the past few summers and saving some or all of that money for college. I don't get this all or nothing, teaching them the value of money starts young. We talk to our kids regularly about it and have often said, yes, we can do XXX like your friends and explained to them why we don't is to save for college (which we are) so ultimately if they want XXX, they will have to take loans for college as it is less than we can save... If you have raised him well, he knows it.[/quot


Op here. He has worked for the past 3 summers and has about ~$3,000 saved. My FIL has a construction company and he would go help out. It’s ridiculous to think that a child would be able to save up thousands and thousands to pay for their own tuition. We saved about $70,00 for his college and since he’ll be living at home we won’t have to spend money on housing
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:23     Subject: Re:Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:My son worked starting his 2nd year of college when he had a better idea how much time he had to devote to a job.


My daughter also did the same. She didn’t work her first year. She started working part time about 15-20 hours per week and she loved it because she enjoyed her jobs. Her last year she only had 6 units left to take and she decided to work full time.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:22     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don’t you think your 19 year old can decide for himself if he has time to work and how much?


It sounds like he's going to live at home. Some parents charge adult children rent. I know mine did.


We do not plan to support him financially for all his expenses. We’ve agreed to pay for his tuition and books. He’s living at home. We don’t want him to rely on us for money. He will not be joining any sports. He’s interested in a frat, but we still think he should work if he joins one. We’ve also discussed an internship. If it’s unpaid, then most likely we won’t require him to work. It’s not about him “deciding.” If he does work, well expect him to pay for his phone and car, clothes and other things he may want. I guess it also depends on how much he’ll make.


Wow, if you can afford to help, why wouldn't you? I don't get parents like that. Work or internship summers, school during the school year.


This has nothing to with us “affording” or not. We want him to learn the value of working and making your own money. Our son is very smart and I have no doubt he’ll be able to balance school and working. It’s not that’s difficult for those who are good students.


Shouldn't he know that by now? Ideally he would have been working the past few summers and saving some or all of that money for college. I don't get this all or nothing, teaching them the value of money starts young. We talk to our kids regularly about it and have often said, yes, we can do XXX like your friends and explained to them why we don't is to save for college (which we are) so ultimately if they want XXX, they will have to take loans for college as it is less than we can save... If you have raised him well, he knows it.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:20     Subject: Re:Working while in college/university
My son worked starting his 2nd year of college when he had a better idea how much time he had to devote to a job.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:13     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:I would let him choose whether to work or not freshman year. I was happier and did better in school when I had a part-time job. A campus job can provide a nice sense of structure and exposure to a different group of people.


It took me 5 years to complete my undergrad. I didn’t work for the first 2 years as my parents were supporting me financially. The last 3 years I worked and I ednded up getting better grades. It all depends on the person.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 14:01     Subject: Working while in college/university
I would let him choose whether to work or not freshman year. I was happier and did better in school when I had a part-time job. A campus job can provide a nice sense of structure and exposure to a different group of people.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2018 13:59     Subject: Working while in college/university
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don’t you think your 19 year old can decide for himself if he has time to work and how much?


It sounds like he's going to live at home. Some parents charge adult children rent. I know mine did.


We do not plan to support him financially for all his expenses. We’ve agreed to pay for his tuition and books. He’s living at home. We don’t want him to rely on us for money. He will not be joining any sports. He’s interested in a frat, but we still think he should work if he joins one. We’ve also discussed an internship. If it’s unpaid, then most likely we won’t require him to work. It’s not about him “deciding.” If he does work, well expect him to pay for his phone and car, clothes and other things he may want. I guess it also depends on how much he’ll make.


Wow, if you can afford to help, why wouldn't you? I don't get parents like that. Work or internship summers, school during the school year.


This has nothing to with us “affording” or not. We want him to learn the value of working and making your own money. Our son is very smart and I have no doubt he’ll be able to balance school and working. It’s not that’s difficult for those who are good students.