Studying part time for Btech

[fivenine]

I've completed my Ndip Electrical and now wanting to do my B Tech.
Currently I've been working for the past year.

My options are either:

1. Leave work and study full time over one year of night classes (University only offers night classes for this qualification).
2. Continue working and study part time with night classes. This will take about two years.
3. Studying through Unisa (no night classes). However this starts only at the start of next year.

My problems with these:
1. Been working for the past year so gotten used to the income although not dependent on it. Not sure what I will do during the day, study? Also, will be losing potential work experience if I stayed on with work as I've been offered to stay on. No guarantee of getting a job after BTech?

2. Not sure if I can manage the work load hence probably doing it over 2 years, or more? Not sure how I feel about dragging on my studies but also currently 24 so don't want to be stuck out of the working field for long. Also, yes its been done before and others have it harder but hell the thought of 2 years of nights classes

3. Allows me to not do night classes but then thats 'wasting' six months until Jan next year, and still 2 years of studying so similar to above.

Just trying to get an idea of whats it like to study part time if anyone has done it and how did you manage it.
Any advices on whether to work+study or leave work and just get the BTech done.

Thanks

 

[HavocXphere]

Do part time at night & suffer for a couple of years. Everything else is going to work out worse imo so suck it up.

 

[adam88]

It would be best to do it full time, it will probably get a bit intense.

But do it part time especially if you like your current work situation and your qualification would add value. It's rough out there for graduate engineers with no bursaries.

 

[desiganp]

3 is the best option. Having a BTech is no guarantee of getting a job or even a better salary. With option 3 you gain experience and have a salary plus you study at your own pace (you can take longer to complete it if you desire).

 

[adam88]

3 is the best option. Having a BTech is no guarantee of getting a job or even a better salary. With option 3 you gain experience and have a salary plus you study at your own pace (you can take longer to complete it if you desire).

THIS!

I am/was an Engineering Graduate. Been without an Engineering job for two years. I know MANY of my peers who are still unemployed.

 

[FatBoySlim]

The one good thing about part time is that you are gaining work experience at the same time. Over the long term this could fast track your career so when you get btech you are so much more marketable

 

[Whatzmyname]

I had a friend who completed his NDip in Engineering and was recruited by Siemens immediately. He was planning on doing Btech but also got used to getting a nice salary and truth be told he has gotten further career wise by getting practical experience+salary then stopping to go for a Btech. So it was win/win for him. Experience counts for a lot...

 

[marco79]

3 is the best option. Having a BTech is no guarantee of getting a job or even a better salary. With option 3 you gain experience and have a salary plus you study at your own pace (you can take longer to complete it if you desire).

Take your time and gain valuable experience while you're at it. Rushing to get your BTech without any experience might make you too expensive to employ.

 

[X-Gamer]

Don't leave your job if you you are currently in a position where you are learning and see potential for growth.
That said, studying part-time is a moerse headache. You really need to manage the limited time you will have after work to make any progress on your studies.