working before beginning grad school (employment, credit, apply, 401k)

[scarletneon]

I found out on Monday that I was accepted to grad school, and I will be a research assistant, which will cover my tuition and some fees, and will also give me a $750 monthly stipend. I still have to look into what sort of federal funding i might be able to get, or i might just have to do loans, and I will probably keep one of my jobs in order to make up my living expenses.

Right now I have two jobs. One on the weekend as a receptionist at a nursing home (the job i will probably keep), and one at a magazine during the week.

Yesterday my boss at the magazine told me that we have no money (which I knew), and that she would have to pay me for this week on Tuesday. Clearly, i'm not very happy. I don't desperately need the check, but this is not a good sign. I'm really afraid she will fold the whole thing way before school begins and I will be SOL for a couple of months... and I really hate the idea of asking my family for money. Also, I have never made enough there to be eligible for unemployment (it's my understanding in Illinois you have to make $1600 per month in the quarters following up to the unemployment, and I haven't).

Now, I have been searching for jobs, and did apply to a few before I found out about my acceptance. I'm just wondering what you all think about me looking for a job that I would only have for 3.5 months? If I was to get an interview, should I be honest and say that I would only be there until the beginning of August? Or should I target my focus and only look for temporary work? I do have a little bit of money in savings, but I really hate to break into that if something happens.

Thanks for reading this and any suggestions you can give.

[danameless]

First off, congrats on the acceptance to grad school.

Second, I would say it depends on how badly you need the money. If you really don't need the money, I might suggest taking the few months off and enjoy the summer because working part time and going to grad school will be tough. The problem is with this economy, it might take you some time to find a new job, and you have to wonder if it will be worth it to only work a couple of months? Unless it's temporary, I doubt any employer will hire you if they know you will be leaving in 2 months. Good Luck!

btw, the bongo room in wicker park is awesome!

[annerk]

Have you approached your boss at the nursing home about more hours? Often in the summer people take vacations, and maybe you could pick up extra shifts covering them?

Or look at some of the local employment agencies and see if they might be able to place you.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by annerk

Have you approached your boss at the nursing home about more hours? Often in the summer people take vacations, and maybe you could pick up extra shifts covering them?

Or look at some of the local employment agencies and see if they might be able to place you.

Doh! I meant to mention that in my original post, that yes, I will be asking the nursing home if they need me for extra hours (they already have had me come in extra on occasion to do some filing, etc), I just haven't gone up there to talk to them about it yet.

I was also thinking about employment agencies *if* this other job disappears.

Thanks guys.

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

I found out on Monday that I was accepted to grad school, and I will be a research assistant, which will cover my tuition and some fees, and will also give me a $750 monthly stipend. I still have to look into what sort of federal funding i might be able to get, or i might just have to do loans, and I will probably keep one of my jobs in order to make up my living expenses.

Right now I have two jobs. One on the weekend as a receptionist at a nursing home (the job i will probably keep), and one at a magazine during the week.

Yesterday my boss at the magazine told me that we have no money (which I knew), and that she would have to pay me for this week on Tuesday. Clearly, i'm not very happy. I don't desperately need the check, but this is not a good sign. I'm really afraid she will fold the whole thing way before school begins and I will be SOL for a couple of months... and I really hate the idea of asking my family for money. Also, I have never made enough there to be eligible for unemployment (it's my understanding in Illinois you have to make $1600 per month in the quarters following up to the unemployment, and I haven't).

Now, I have been searching for jobs, and did apply to a few before I found out about my acceptance. I'm just wondering what you all think about me looking for a job that I would only have for 3.5 months? If I was to get an interview, should I be honest and say that I would only be there until the beginning of August? Or should I target my focus and only look for temporary work? I do have a little bit of money in savings, but I really hate to break into that if something happens.

Thanks for reading this and any suggestions you can give.

Well, the three things that come to mind are:
start looking yesterday, oh that was fourth...;-) but 1) call your department and ask if you can get workstudy in addition to the TA money and start working at the school now. I am sure your department has work that you could do now; 2) sign up with a temp agency now and work a 1 to 2 month temp job and 3) if you know waitressing, sign up with a catering agency now!

If you have 3 jobs, you should be able to make it until august!

good luck

you didn't say what your grad program was so i can't give more specific information.

[buckeyenative01]

Interesting...

I just got accepted to grad school a few weeks back and kind of regret accepting their offer since I'm leaving a stable job (even though I hate it), insurance benefits and 401k for something that's going to take up two years of my life and is not guaranteed to get me a job after graduation. Too many risks right now in this economic climate, I guess?

[annerk]

Everything is cyclical, and five years from now the market will be much improved and that grad school degree will pay for itself sevenfold.

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by annerk

Everything is cyclical, and five years from now the market will be much improved and that grad school degree will pay for itself sevenfold.

Annerk it is good!! to be optimistic! and yes you are normally right, but this situation is not just the normal good ole cyclical downturns in the market, but actual bad spending initiatives, two wars, massive bad loan and credit practises and econs are guessing 5 years or more to get on track. Then on top of that people have to be willing to change their way of doing business. Do we go back to the expand/merge model or do we try to build slowly?

we have serious health problems when we are bailing out banks and car companies...like cancer of the liver

but yes, i seriously wish, wish, wish and hope that 5 years is the max, since i will be out of luck if it isnt!

[annerk]

I've seen this same cycle in the 70's. By the early to mid 80's everything was chugging right along again.

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by annerk

I've seen this same cycle in the 70's. By the early to mid 80's everything was chugging right along again.

psst...have you seen banks and intenational banks go under and 2 out of the 3 large car companies have to borrow money from their step parents, meaning us, the tax payers?? ;