Hi all,
I am currently working full-time and there's no way for me to reduce work to return to school. I graduated with a bachelor of science in finance back in 2007. Is it possible to work full-time and trying to finish the MSOT at the same time? Your advice and guidance is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
-Mai
Mai,
Certainly, if you are determined and dedicated to returning back to school working full-time could be possible...difficult, but possible. Most will say working full-tim is not adviseable, but I have seen a very small percentage of students able to pull it off. The bigger problem may be related to actual scheduling of classes since entry-level OT programs are face-to-face and most often occur during the day. The other related problems associated with working are the additional group related process projects that may require students to work outside of class extensively...if working, this part would be difficult to schedule.
Good luck with your decision and future!
Robyn
Robyn Otty, OTD, OTR/L
Hi Mai,
Congratulations on deciding to go into Occupational Therapy!! I'm an RN & completed the MSOT program 5 yrs ago & am SOOO glad I did! However, I did attempt to continue to work while taking the program but unfortunately, it back-fired.
I was attempting to work 12 hr shifts in an inpatient setting as an RN on the weekends & then attend classes during the week, but it just did not work. What I didn't realize was how much work it took to maintain a decent grade point average in a master's program. In my OT prgram, a minumum grade was a "B" , meaning that I as a student was expected to maintain that "B" average for the entire duration of the program. Pretty tough standards to meet while attempting to work as well.
The chair of my program counseled me about my grades early on in the program & I'll never forget what she said to me. She said, "Do you want to successfully complete this program or do you want to work?". At that moment, I needed to decide what was more important-working or studying. It wasn't an easy decision but a necessary one if I wanted to graduate. I just didn't want to risk being removed from the program because of my grades.
There were a number of students in my class that did get removed from the program due to their slipping grades, so I realized then that my decision to concentrate on my studies was the right one.
The best advice I can give you is to truly decide what's most important for you. If your current job is more important than your studies, then maybe consider completing the program at a slower pace or postponing your studies until you are ready.
The OT program I completed was challenging but I was SOO proud to have graduated with solid grades & a strong knowledge foundation. If I hadn't chosen to reduce my work hours, I may have never graduated, so all the sacrifices were definitely worth it!
Best of luck to you Mia & if I can help you with any further advice, I'll be more than happy to do so.
-DJ
DJ,
I currently work for the federal government so reduce my hours is not an option. Either I stop working all together or working full time. I have been looking into going to school part time and slowly working toward my MSOT but I haven't found any school that offers distance learning or a schedule that offers that kind of students like me. I just got a house and am the head of household so I will still have a mortgage to pay. How did you do it? Did you quit your job? I really like to go to school but having a house at a young age is quite a responsibility.
Congratulations on your MSOT!
P.S: Robyn, Thanks for your encouragement/
Thanks for the reply and your encouragement Robyn!
It is difficult to work and go to school if you are pursuing the traditional day-time school route. However, many schools offer a evening and weekend MSOT program. Here is the list http://aota.org/Students/Schools/Weekend/40575.aspx These programs are geared towards working and non-traditional students. It takes longer than they typical two years, since you are only going to school part time. Also, here is a web page with some more information for prospective OT students with more information http://aota.org/Students/Prospective.aspx
Good luck in your career change!
Jaclyn
Hi again Mai,
Wow, it really sounds like you have a full plate: a new home, a full-time job, being head of your household...that's a LOT!! I was in a similar situation as well; I was a newlywed, purchased a home & had a full-time career as an RN, so I can completely relate.
I think that for me, I knew that I wanted to become an OT, so my determination pushed me to make decisions that would allow me to reach that goal.
I started by creating a financial plan to determine my costs & expenses which helped me decide how much income I needed to live & from there, I created a working budget that included all my sources of income. By the way, my new husband wasn't working so I had to support both of us.
Ultimately, I did resign from my full-time position & began working PRN in ICU settings where the pay rate was higher. I also worked holidays (holiday pay for an RN equals triple time pay), plus I took out a student loan. Collectively, I was able to keep up with the mortgage payments & other living expenses while going to school.
I think the first question you may need to ask yourself is how badly you want to be an OT & what are you willing to do to achieve that goal. I was very clear with what I wanted to achieve, so the decision was an easy one for me. I wanted that OT degree more than anything so I worked to make it happen. It's not easy but it is possible.
During this journey, I learned a great deal about myself, including my resilience to live's adversities. I realized that although the program was challenging, it was a wonderful experience & one I wouldn't trade for anything.
I was the oldest student in my graduating class (I was 40 when I graduated) & that in of itself was an accomplishment. In fact, one of my professors was my age & we ended up becoming good friends!
I think my proudest moment was during commencement, when my name was called & I walked across that stage with a glow that lit up that entire auditorium. I realized at that moment that all of the hard work & sacrifices had been worth it.
Mai, if you want to become an OT , you'll find a way to make that dream a reality. As I mentioned, it may not be easy, it may be incredibly difficult at times but the ultimate reward is worth more than anything.
I'm here if you need any more advice, ok? Best of luck to you!
Jaclyn,
Thanks for that information. Unfortunately, I live in VA and so there's no school that offers weekend program. But I am not giving up. I will find a way to get that MSOT.
Wow! I am so proud of you!! I really like to become an OT. I love helping people. I think the stress of my current work is also a motivation for me to go back to school to do something that I love. I think a stressful job is ok as long as I like what I do. My immediate plan is to study for the GRE and then take some of the requisite classes before applying to an OT school. That would take me about a year. By then, I should have enough savings can take care of my mortgage for 6-8 months. I am seriously thinking of my full time day job and find a night job. Even though it won't be paid as much as I do now, at least I can pay the mortgage.
I assume that you're a OT now? What's the job like? I have only started thinking about being an OT. I have always wanted to go back to school but before this, I was thinking of speech pathology.
Again, thanks so much for your wisdom. I hope you don't mind me keeping writing back to you.
Mai
Congratulations on your decision Mai! I know you'll find a way to reach your goal! Your ideas are very good ones, so keep going, you're definitely on the right track! Yes, the prerequisite courses were a pain to complete and that GRE exam nearly killed me, but you'll get through it!
As for OT, yes, I love it! I'm still practicing nursing but only at a minumum; my focus is primarily OT. I'm currently working for 2 agencies (Peds home health & Neuro home health), plus I'm consulting for the State of Texas, and it's wonderful! I'm building my own consulting business now & I'm hoping to earn more state contracts.
Just keep your mind on that degree & everything else will follow. You'll be a fantastic OT student, no doubt!!
PS: Thank you for your kind words!!
Mai-
Most full-time OT students receive loans as part of their financial aid package and use that to fund their graduate education since full-time students cannot work full-time. Assuming that your salary as an OT will be higher than your current salary, you can use your extra earning power to pay off the loans and still have a good standard of living. Gail
i know a lot of schools that offer flexible classes such as at night, during the morning, summer classes. If you are able to revolve your work schedule around the time of the classes, and put in the dedication and effort you will be able to do it!
I am entry level MSOT student right now. I can't speak from personal experience because I am not currently working, but I know people in my program who are working up to 40 hours a week and still succeeding. I think it just comes down to time management and the amount of work your particular school expects from you, my school only requires a B- to pass. I think if you put your mind to it and it something you really want to do, you will do fine. I hope this encourages you to still want to become an OT!
-David
It is definitely possible to finish MSOT while working a full-time job! You could look into the OT program at different schools and see what their schedule would look like. Many schools hold classes in the morning and/or at night, you could also look into taking classes online and see if that will count for credits in the master's program. Once you get a schedule set for school you can fit your work schedule around your classes. I think you would be able to do it!
-Jessica
I am also a MSOT student, and believe it is possible to get your degree while still working full time. Certain programs allow students to take classes online or part time, but time management would be an important factor.
Kaitlin