Ask the Experts: Don’t Drop Out to Accept a Job Offer

Question:

I am a graduate student in a good computer information services program. I earned a 100 percent scholarship for my $9,000 per semester fees. I just received a job offer from a four year old dot com company. They have a good business model and seem to be doing well. The job is ideal but they’re offering slightly below market salaries and expect me to work 50 to 60 hours per week, including Saturdays. I’m two semesters away from graduation and if I stay should be able to land a better job, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do so. If I take the job, I could complete my studies but at a slower rate. Should I stay in school or take the more sure thing?

First Answer:

If I were in your position, I’d pass on this particular offer, since it seems to have serious potential to derail your final two semesters. You might propose a half-time position (and firmly limit it to 25 hours per week), or simply choose to stay in touch with them as you finish up your studies.

— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com

Second Answer:

My hunch is that your excellent qualifications will enable you to get a better job upon graduation. If you were closer to graduation, and the job paid below market value, I’d say maybe go for it. Or if you were still two semesters away and job paid better, I might give the same advice, But with BOTH factors working against you, plus the demand for long hours of work, I think you can do better. And we can always hope that the economy will be that much better by the time you graduate.

— Katharine Hansen, former speechwriter and college instructor who provides content for the Web site, Quintessential Careers, edits QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and prepares job-search correspondence as chief writer for Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters

Third Answer:

I hesitate to give you a direct yes or no answer to this question because I don’t know your true financial situation. However, my assumption is that with a 100% scholarship and just two semesters from graduation, you’d be better off staying in school and completing your degree. ‘m also assuming that a high grade point average is important for you to keep your scholarship, too. If your prospective employer expects you to work long hours and weekends, you will be diverted from your studies. A dot com, especially a “young one,” is also a risky bet. They may prosper, but if so, they will be hiring even more people in the future. Your completed degree will be yet another asset. My sense is that if you can get along without this job, you should follow your “plan A” and stay in school.

— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column

Fourth Answer:

Congratulations on your job offer–your credentials and work ethic are certainly paying off. However, like much of of the business world, this decision isn’t an either/or for you–there’s no black or white answer here. What you should do before making a decision is ask yourself a few key questions:

2. What effect will this new position have on your long term career goals? Is it a good stepping stone? Will it give you the experience you need en route to your long-term goals? As your first position out of graduate school, you don’t want to take it just to take it–you want to make sure it’s the right thing.

3. What is your financial situation? You mentioned you received a full scholarship, but how is your financial situation otherwise? Do you have other debt? Are you looking to save money to buy a house? Will having this job now enable you to better meet your financial goals? Will going at a slower pace in school affect your scholarship situation? (Some scholarships may require you to go full time).

4. Is there a work commitment to the company required? Unless you are signing an agreement to stay at the company a certain amount of time, it could be a good opportunity to get experience while looking for another role in the next year or so.

5. How will working affect your schoolwork? Some graduate students like working and going to school simultaneously because they can immediately apply what they’ve learned. Others have difficulty balancing both and ultimately find their personal, work or school life suffers.

6. Is there an opportunity to negotiate? Can you try to compromise with the company on hours or salary?

Remember, just because you take the job doesn’t mean you can’t keep looking elsewhere or that you’ve shut yourself out of the market. Just make sure if you do take it, you’ve assessed its impact on your life as a whole. Good luck!

— Susan Strayer, Assistant Director, Career Services, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education at the Johns Hopkins University and founder and President of University and Career Decisions

Fifth Answer:

While this is a very personal decision – depending on your circumstances – it is always a better bet to complete your education. And, in your scholarship is paying for it. I know it is tempting to go for the immediate gratification but in the long run you may regret the decision. Having that degree will open more doors than your experience with a company that may or may not make it.

Remember, you are only in school for a relatively short period of time. You will be working the rest of your life!

— Carole Martin, The Interview Coach

Sixth Answer:

One of the things you mention about this new company is that it is about four years old. Take into
consideration that our New Millennium Depression
started around the end of 1999 and we are only now
slowly emerging from it. A company that has survived
this period and is not only still making a profit but
in a hiring mode could be a good option. You would be
wise to check the financial standing of the company as
you do further research about it. In that way, you’ll
be better informed and better able to make a good
decision.

You seem to object to the fact that the company’s work week consists of 50-60 hours, including weekends.
These hours are typical of I.T. departments and firms.
Perhaps I.T. is not the field you’re looking for.

No matter whether you choose to stay in school or go to work immediately, the research and the decision are
up to you and must be yours. No outsider knows your
personal situation and variables better than you. In
this case, let me suggest you try using a graphic
(that is, hand written) decision tree so that you cognitively
map out your options, their positives and negatives,
compared with one another. Once you see these in
perspective, your choice may be more clear for you.

May all your Entrances be through the doors of success!

— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Originally posted by alwin