Should I finish my Degree or take up the Job Offer

I have done three years of a four-year course but failed one of my subjects and having to repeat a year.

I managed to get an internship in a really good company which kept me busy for the year I was repeating. They even started paying me after a couple of months, so basically I have a job in an industry I want to work in. The trouble is now they are asking if I would like to go full-time and it would mean skipping the lectures in the subject I failed, and if I'm being realistic, maybe not finishing my degree.

If I have to go back to college next year I will be pretty scared to give up a job I love, and you never know, possibly have trouble getting another one after I finish my course. Given the way things are, would I be wise to defer another year so at least I'd come out of college with two years work experience? I think I'd feel more employable with that to my name as well as a degree, but I'm scared I'd never bother going back to college and that may come back to haunt me in the future.

If the employer really wants you to stay with them, which it sounds as if they do, then it would be worth asking them if you can have the time off to attend the lectures in the subject you’re repeating. You will only need to attend max 3 or 4 lectures a week, I’m guessing, so that should only amount to 6 or 7 hrs off. You could offer to make up the time in the evening or on a Saturday, if they wanted you to – or they could just pay you for 33 hrs per week instead of 40. That way everyone wins – they get you, and you get to complete your studies, which sound very important to you too.

If they’re not willing to go for this, I would advise on the side of completing your degree. You will feel the benefit of having done this in 5 or 6 years time, when it may be even harder to find time out of work to do it, and if you don’t have a degree, you can really suffer trying to find a job. The market is not too bad to find work right now, especially if you get some professional careers support. As a graduate with work experience under your belt, and a degree come end 2012, then you’ll be well placed to find a job – so no lose on your end.

My bet would be that they’ll either let you stay part-time, or they’ll give you full-time with the release for lectures.

Good luck,