Finish Uni, Or Take The Job? HELP!?

BangkokBreakfast on 19/11/2015 - 23:37
Last edited 19/11/2015 - 23:38

So, I have just been offered a job in Vietnam, which will be an awesome experience. It starts in Feburary on a 6 month contract. The job is only temporary, and I plan on using the experience gained to springboard to something else once it ends.

The dilemma I'm having is that I failed Statistics during my first year of uni, and just left it and continued on with completing the rest of my degree. I'm now at the point where I have completed my entire degree, except for that one stats course from first year which is holding me back from graduating. I have the option to redo statistics in Feburary.

The Problem:
1) Should I turn down the Vietnam job (which is directly relevant to my degree/career path) and complete the statistics course and graduate?

OR

2) Should I accept the job, see where it takes me and worry about doing statistics and graduating later?

I need people older and wiser then me to help me with this decision. Degree or Experience?

Poll Options

  • 4
    Complete your degree first.
  • 67
    Take the job and worry about doing statistics and graduating later.
Education & Work

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 19/11/2015 - 23:48
    +11

    That's your once in a lifetime opportunity. Do the job, come back and finish Uni. University studies can usually be deferred, although how long it can be deferred depends on your university's policies. Speak to your university's student services center and see what can be done.

    Also, some units have summer courses.

    • lordra on 20/11/2015 - 00:10

      +1
      Take the job, do the course within the next year starting today. Enjoy the summer. YOLO! :)

    • BangkokBreakfast on 20/11/2015 - 00:12

      Thanks for the insight! I think your right…

    • Clear on 20/11/2015 - 08:48

      ^ This. You can usually defer for a year, but the credit from the units can be valid up to 10 years. They were in my case.

    • PTSD on 26/11/2015 - 14:17

      Also agree with this. Just make sure you do finish your degree. You would have invested at least 3 years into it, don't let those 3 years go to waste due to laziness. Especially in Asia, a uni degree is a big deal.

  • adzzz on 19/11/2015 - 23:48
    +3

    One subject? Pffftt even if you decide to work for a year and come back to do that one course there is a good chance you can do a first year subject at night any semester. Take the job and enjoy the summer! Just make sure you find out the maximum non progression time for your course. Most universities make you finish the degree within a maximum amount of time (usually 2x EFTL meaning a 3 year degree needs to be completed within 6 years). If thats all sorted I say go for it!

    • BangkokBreakfast on 20/11/2015 - 00:10
      +1

      Thanks mate, I appreciate the advice.

  • Jalif on 19/11/2015 - 23:48
    +5

    Take the job,but complete your stat course at summer school, or online.

    Finish up your degree ASAP or you will regret it later.

  • cypher67 on 20/11/2015 - 00:00
    +3

    Take the job and if possible study it remotely. I did something similar for my last subject, I did an IT degree and I had 1 elective left, so I worked and did Introduction to Nursing remotely …. cake.

  • rompastompa on 20/11/2015 - 00:31

    I was in a similar predicament over a decade ago. I never went back to do that last course. It hasn't directly impacted me, though would of liked that bit of paper :/

    Go for the job, but make sure you won't regret it if you never go back to finish ;)

  • maybeamacy on 20/11/2015 - 00:56
    +1

    Take the job - that experience will set you apart from other graduates.

  • GameChanger on 20/11/2015 - 01:40
    +1

    In this economy, I would take the job.

    Whats the point of graduating, if you have haven't secured employment? This will help you, do this if you don't get contract extension.

  • Natt on 20/11/2015 - 07:30
    +1

    Take the job, but make sure you do the unit on-line, by correspondence etc.

    Be aware of that it will be terribly easy to get caught up with work, and not finish :( And you would be silly not to. So be prepared to work & study at the same time. It means less sleep, but it's not for long.

    Be proactive, find out if it's this specific subject you need, or is it an optional 1st year subject you need. If it's an optional, go for the easiest to do online, that interests you. And don't forget even if this Uni does not offer an online option, they may accept a comparable unit from somewhere that does, even TAFE for example. Just get them to agree in writing before you start down that track.

    I started Uni at 17, and passing wasn't exactly important, so I flunked out. Went back as an adult working full time (while learning a brand new job) + 50% Uni load. I managed it OK despite being a pretty "lazy" at heart. Got great marks, just had to live on less sleep for a while!

  • try2bhelpful on 20/11/2015 - 08:18
    +1

    Go talk to the relevant people at Uni, explain the situation and then see if you can work something out with them in relation to that unit. You might be able to pick it up when you get back, or do it remotely by correspondence and just come back for the exams. My experience is the Uni does like people to finish their degrees so they will probably be helpful when you are this close; particularly if you are nice and grovelling about asking. (Don't go in with the attitude they are doing you a favour.)

    It is important that you finish your degree:
    a) It appears on your resume for the rest of your life. Employers like you to have it even when you have a lot of experience, it may make the difference between you and someone else getting the job
    b) It will make your parents extremely proud.
    c) It is a damn shame to get this far and not complete it.

    The only problem with taking the job and going is you may not get back to the degree. They may extend the position, you get used to having the money come in, etc. I debated a lot before I took on my second degree and I had a really crap job at the time.

    I faced a similar situation with my second degree; I was offered a good job 6 months before I finished it but I held out. When I finished I was offered 7 different jobs. (That was back when people appreciated IT workers though).

    Best of luck.

  • ChillBro on 20/11/2015 - 08:34
    +1

    I know some people who deferred their degree for years then were able to come back and pick up where they left off. In this job climate, work opportunities are more important and harder to find. Also employers tend to place higher emphasis on past work experience rather than degrees.

  • cupcake on 20/11/2015 - 10:32

    I would complete the degree first.

  • rambutann on 20/11/2015 - 10:55
    +3

    Open universities is always an option for that unit… They would even allow you to take the exam in Vietnam if required…

  • altomic on 20/11/2015 - 14:32
    +1

    take the job. Do the stats subject by distance ed and take the job.

  • Hello Stranger on 27/11/2015 - 08:11

    I agree with the majority, take the job.
    I believe experience is more valuable than a degree. You can always go back to uni to finish off the degree but that offer is unlikely to be there when you finish your degree.

  • Flowerbomb on 22/12/2015 - 08:14

    Stats intro courses are usually available in summer school, at least in the two Go8 unis I saw. Anyway, if there isn't a summer school option, I would take the job and study later. You can be working part time and studying when u come back. Congrats on the job offer.

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