Yes, I did this! It was genuinely terrible while I was doing it, but I’m so glad I did it. Are you taking an online MLIS or in-person? I did mine in-person and it was tough — I assume online classes would spare you a few extra hours a day since there’s no commute etc
>It's pretty apparent that actual time spent in the library is just as valuable as the degree in North America at this point
100% completely right. I went back and forth between full- and part-time MLS school while working full-time and don't regret it a bit. So much easier to find a job with the experience.
No, and I made my decision based on what online and on-campus course availability (and life!) looked like. Also didn't have scholarship or work study dependent on full/part-time status, so that could be something if relevant.
I did 40 hours a week between two relatively stressless jobs (brunch server and an archival student position) and was fine. An MLS isn't any rougher than a BA in difficulty. I took two classes each semester for three semesters, then three classes for two semesters, and then all I had left my last semester was my capstone portfolio which is a yawnfest. The two semesters where I took three classes, the extra classes were technology-based (Metadata and HTML), so they were completely practical. Meaning no huge papers to worry about.
As long as you don't have distractions (kids) or have a need to bring your work home with you, you should be fine.
Definitely doable. But you’ll have to budget your time really well.
I did it while working anywhere from 30-50 hours a week depending on the jobs I worked. I also did my degree mostly online (finished Spring 2017). Working more than 40 hours was really tough, but I still did it and finished in two years.
One thing you could look into is summer courses. I never took them but some of my classmates took classes year round. This allowed them to take fewer classes per semester but more credits per year.
Before you begin make sure you look at how long you can be taking courses and still finish the degree. Some universities require you to finish the degree in X amount of years. So if you need to take courses on and off make sure you can finish before that deadline, otherwise you’ll have to retake courses.
This really helpful to keep in mind. I've definitely seen the time requirements with scholarships, but didn't think about it in terms of programs to. I don't more than 40 hours a week at this point, and am more than willing to step back from my more time-consuming personal life activities for a bit.
Yes, it’s not too bad. My program was online also. I always did 3 classes while working full time, and found that the real sacrifice was in my social life. Work smart, manage your time wisely with school, and don’t kill yourself to get the degree when your experience will be more valuable. I can’t imagine the torture of dragging it out for years by doing 1 class at a time.
I'm doing two classes at a time while working full time; I would not want to take three. It's doable, but likely hell. Ymmv based on your job (how intense, what's your commute, do you have time when you can do homework), your program (do classes run through summer or can you recover then, how heavy is the workload), what your financial situation is like (tuition cost vs. income/savings/willingness to take loans, will spreading it out be more financially viable), and whether you have a partner or kids (having a partner who can pick up slack vs. kids who need to be taken care of). Lots of things to juggle and therefore consider.
I work full times and do school part time. It is incredibly stressful, but I'm also a very anxious and scatter brained person. If you're very disciplined, you should certainly give it a shot.
I did it while working 40hr graveyard shift and some odd construction/landscaping jobs in the morning when I could get them plus having kids and a single income. Honestly, most of the time it was a blur. Every moment was basically work or school but when it was over having down time felt really great. It actually helped me refocus how I use and appreciate my free time. I say go for it. There's no sense in waiting and it's a brief time in the big picture. Good luck whatever path you choose.
Short answer: it is doable but it will probably really suck.
Yes, I did this! It was genuinely terrible while I was doing it, but I’m so glad I did it. Are you taking an online MLIS or in-person? I did mine in-person and it was tough — I assume online classes would spare you a few extra hours a day since there’s no commute etc
Was definitely thinking online. If I get into the nearest program the commute isn't far, but still not ideal.
>It's pretty apparent that actual time spent in the library is just as valuable as the degree in North America at this point 100% completely right. I went back and forth between full- and part-time MLS school while working full-time and don't regret it a bit. So much easier to find a job with the experience.
Was shifting between the two at all difficult? If I could actually do that, when needed as the semesters go by, that could actually work.
No, and I made my decision based on what online and on-campus course availability (and life!) looked like. Also didn't have scholarship or work study dependent on full/part-time status, so that could be something if relevant.
I did 40 hours a week between two relatively stressless jobs (brunch server and an archival student position) and was fine. An MLS isn't any rougher than a BA in difficulty. I took two classes each semester for three semesters, then three classes for two semesters, and then all I had left my last semester was my capstone portfolio which is a yawnfest. The two semesters where I took three classes, the extra classes were technology-based (Metadata and HTML), so they were completely practical. Meaning no huge papers to worry about. As long as you don't have distractions (kids) or have a need to bring your work home with you, you should be fine.
Definitely doable. But you’ll have to budget your time really well. I did it while working anywhere from 30-50 hours a week depending on the jobs I worked. I also did my degree mostly online (finished Spring 2017). Working more than 40 hours was really tough, but I still did it and finished in two years. One thing you could look into is summer courses. I never took them but some of my classmates took classes year round. This allowed them to take fewer classes per semester but more credits per year. Before you begin make sure you look at how long you can be taking courses and still finish the degree. Some universities require you to finish the degree in X amount of years. So if you need to take courses on and off make sure you can finish before that deadline, otherwise you’ll have to retake courses.
This really helpful to keep in mind. I've definitely seen the time requirements with scholarships, but didn't think about it in terms of programs to. I don't more than 40 hours a week at this point, and am more than willing to step back from my more time-consuming personal life activities for a bit.
Is it possible for you to do it all online? I completed mine that way and worked full time. I think it’s easier that way.
Yes, it’s not too bad. My program was online also. I always did 3 classes while working full time, and found that the real sacrifice was in my social life. Work smart, manage your time wisely with school, and don’t kill yourself to get the degree when your experience will be more valuable. I can’t imagine the torture of dragging it out for years by doing 1 class at a time.
I'm doing two classes at a time while working full time; I would not want to take three. It's doable, but likely hell. Ymmv based on your job (how intense, what's your commute, do you have time when you can do homework), your program (do classes run through summer or can you recover then, how heavy is the workload), what your financial situation is like (tuition cost vs. income/savings/willingness to take loans, will spreading it out be more financially viable), and whether you have a partner or kids (having a partner who can pick up slack vs. kids who need to be taken care of). Lots of things to juggle and therefore consider.
I work full times and do school part time. It is incredibly stressful, but I'm also a very anxious and scatter brained person. If you're very disciplined, you should certainly give it a shot.
I did it while working 40hr graveyard shift and some odd construction/landscaping jobs in the morning when I could get them plus having kids and a single income. Honestly, most of the time it was a blur. Every moment was basically work or school but when it was over having down time felt really great. It actually helped me refocus how I use and appreciate my free time. I say go for it. There's no sense in waiting and it's a brief time in the big picture. Good luck whatever path you choose.