This is a fantastic position to find yourself. It suggests that you've done a great job with your internship.

The answer is not a simple one. When I was confronted with a similar choice, I returned to school. Long term, it proved to be the best option. There were opportunities that I was able to take advantage of that would have been more difficult. The difficulty would be that I would have only had the experience box checked as opposed to the experience and education boxes.

Keep your eye on your longer term objectives. My assumption is that they will benefit from at least a college degree.

Perhaps you can develop an agreement that includes working and school. They may also contribute to your educational costs. This approach may add time to completing your degree, but you'd have meaningful experience and your degree upon completion.

One option I would not suggest is to quit school completely. The benefits of earning your degree will be forever.

Congratulations! I recommend trying to accomplish both simultaneously even if it means a smaller courseload. Negotiate a flexible schedule with your new employer - they obviously value your educational pursuits. It will be challenging, but should be rewarding. Definitely continue working on your degree.

Keep your eye on the goal. When you drop out of college with the intent that you will return, often, life has a way of swallowing you and your dream of a college education never materializes.

Ask them if you can work part time, and full time during college breaks, summers etc... Then thank them for the job offer. If they cannot adapt to your school schedule, ask them if they can defer the offer until you graduate.

It is very flattering and tempting to be offered a full time job, but my advice is to stay in school.

Great opportunity! Now you are in the drivers seat. Obtaining a college degree is essential to having better possibilities in the future so I would recommend that you sit down with your potential full-time employer and work out a solution where they are flexible with your schedule so you can do both. Be up front and let them know there will be times when you have final exams and need to be gone during the middle of the day and figure out a schedule that allows you to do well in college as well as in your full-time position. You are obviously already desired by this organization so let them know that they are important to you but your degree is non-negotiable. Good luck!

There are many reasons why you would want to bypass education.

First of all, although the college years are a great deal of fun, they are also stressful - and in the U.S., ruinously expensive. Most U.S. college students graduate with a crushing load of debt, and there is no chance of a "bail-out" from Congress for these people (although in some fields such as education, agricultural science and medicine, the Federal government offers debt cancellation in whole or part in exchange for working for a time in certain regions with particular needs, such as inner city neighborhoods and Indian reservations).

Frankly, the "romance" of being a "starving student" wears off - fast.

Secondly, no one wants to miss an ideal job opportunity, especially with today's unforgiving job market. The temptation is especially hard to ignore when the intern is positioned with a front-running company with exceptional promise for continued growth, therefore, posing attractive career growth for the intern as well.

Finally, education is exhausting. When those last semesters arrive, students often show duress and are all too willing to shift their focus on new goals, projects, and yes, employment. Tempting!

There are many reasons why you would not want to bypass education.

First of all, despite the fact that management has taken a liking to you (and this is NO bad thing), nobody likes a quitter. It may seem to be in your short-term interest to jump ship at college and sign on to the company today, one of the things companies look for in a candidate is the ability to follow through. The fact that you quit college may not seem like a big deal today, but it will come back to bite you later on. Management may be disappointed today if you turn down a position, but it is more likely they'll respect you for it later on (or at least in the morning).

Secondly, chances are you will need that diploma as a credential at some point. If you delay getting a degree today, it will only cost you more tomorrow - a lot more.

Finally, there is a great deal of satisfaction in having that sheepskin - and having it will go a long ways toward you getting employment in the future.

Merge Both Worlds
Certainly, there are ways to make both work. For example, countless colleges have evening and weekend class schedules, and an increasing number have taken on impressive online curricula to cater to working students. Your decision will likely be made against certain variables; i.e. your financial situation, your motivation level, what drives you, the "sweetness" of the job offer, and so on.

What should you do?
Looking at some of the pros and cons on whether to accept a job offer, or finish your degree, ultimately you are the only person who can make this decision.

Regards,
@teenarose
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