Go to school or go to work, which is better?
By kris182_2000
@kris182_2000 (5469)
Canada
January 18, 2013 9:23pm CST
My husband is disappointed that he hasn't been able to find a permanent job, and being on assistance is really bumming him out.
He has the option to go back to school, as do I, to further our education in order to get better jobs.
But the thing is, in 2 months, he can apply for a job where he can be bringing home $800/week, but only if he can get the job.
I don't see why he wouldn't, knowing people who work for the company, so if he can get in, why wouldn't he work there?
It's a seasonal job, and he can apply for unemployment benefits when the season ends, could still bring home $440/week.
Once the weather gets warmer, I'll be busy with work again, so I wont have to worry about income. With us both working, we could be making about $5k/month, which is a good thing.
Going to school is an option, but there would only be $1k/month coming in doing that, and it doesn't make much sense when you think about it.
Going to school for a year to better our skills would be nice, but if it doesn't pay the bills, it doesn't really make sense.
So would you recommend schooling, or continuing to work?
2 people like this
19 responses
@liviaslife73 (238)
• United States
19 Jan 13
It depends on just how you look at it & what it is that you really want to do. True you will be making more money w/ these seasonal jobs, but like you mentioned they are not permanent. If you decided to go back to school & further your education then maybe you could both look into getting permanent & more stable jobs. Then you wont have ups & downs, instead you will have a steady paycheck that you can rely on. I'm sure that would go a long way to relieve a lot of your stress. Whatever you decide if you put a little away each time you get a paycheck then even when you have some hard times you will always have that money to fall back on.
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
For him, work would be 60 hours a week, 10 hour days, 6 days a week if he gets the job. For me, when the weather gets better, I could work 12 hour days or longer, depending on the day.
The only real days I could go to school was on rainy days when I couldn't work. In the winter it can be easier, as long as it's not snowing, I could go to school.
I'd like to do home schooling, but I'm not motivated enough to do so. I tried that years ago and never got through one course. I wasted my time and money in doing so. But I would try again if I could.
2 people like this
@Aja103654 (5644)
• Philippines
19 Jan 13
Since you are on a tight budget, going to school now would not be the best idea. I think your husband has to preoccupy himself and do something productive for a few months, at least before he applies for that job which pays 800 per week. if he is not able to get that job then... maybe he can search for others.
I am also in the same situation. For now, since I have not gotten a job even though I applied to many different companies, I figure I should just gain some more skills so I will be more eligible for future opportunities. Luckily, my education this time is free.
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
It would be really hard for him to do both. The job is 60 hours a week, works out to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. It's hard enough for him to get up in the morning, he sleeps half the day away as it is.
1 person likes this
@DaGonz (11)
•
19 Jan 13
Schooling would be the better choice since after school you are better qualified on paper and more appealing to your employers. After you are done with schooling you won't have to worry about it.
If you choose work first without finishing school, you would always be a candidate for retrenchment when time comes and you would always be fearing for your future.
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
I haven't been so lucky with schooling and getting better work. I've got certificates in a couple of specialties, but never got any work out of them. So on paper, they're just that, paper.
I am a licensed car sales person, but even with schooling, I couldn't get a job in a dealership, I interviewed at 3 of them, including the one brand that we learned about and still got nothing.
I have building maintenance certification, but can't get any work in the related field, and I have a forklift license as well.
But with all jobs, you need experience, but you can't get experience without a job. It's a catch 22 and it's proving to be quite difficult.
@Absinto (2385)
• Portugal
19 Jan 13
Well if you have the oportunity to get a good job then you should take it. If you know you cant get the job then going to school is the best option because you can stay for a while with 1k a month but after you get out of school it is possible that you could get more.
But like i said if you are sure you can get the job then always go after the job. That kind of oportunty doesnt come that often.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
19 Jan 13
good day kris182_2000,
it looks the situation is like a trapped wherein you really need to choose the best. and it also looks like it is my own story as well, since i am now facing a situation that i somehow need to study a course to get through and be able to go to other countries.
@Kazegatana (152)
• Indonesia
19 Jan 13
My Opinion, If I on your condition... my choose is continuing to work, because your works is real and happened in this time. The other side, your school is a future, we can predict the future correctly, so if you have a good work with good salary you must take it seriuosly, for this contition I can say "The School can wait". :)
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
15 Feb 13
hi,
for me i think i will choose to go in school because money will provide by my parents and aside from that i don't have such responsibilities in school compare to the work,but of course the money is very limited because it will only come from the parents.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Jan 13
Unltimately he has to decide that not us.
He could still work, and do school aprt time.
I am doing that right now, and taking a few days here and there to write exams, or do assignments.
But I am still making an income, but in todays economy I think a lot are out of work. I work seasonal all summer (and off for 4 -5 months a year), I don't get unemployment so don't guarentee it. I have a friend who works more money with his seasonal job, and he applied, got accepted and has yet to get a cheque, luckily he lives with his parents so bills arn't an issue.
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
19 Jan 13
If I were in your situation, I prefer going to work. Are there any night schools in your living place? He can choose that , in that case, he can have a job in the day and learn something at night. Some other training agencies are also good choice for further education. He may have a try. Just my opinion, have a nice day!
@foreverfriendsg (46)
• Singapore
19 Jan 13
Given the situation now, I'll say you two be working for now. Perhaps when one of you gets a more stable/permanent job then the other can enrol in school to continue his/her schooling and get a better-paying/permanent job in the future. Then the order can be switched to allow both of you to study. Best of luck to you two!
@CarraC (69)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
Can't you both do both??
Go to work and do the schooling part-time?
In that way you get an income and you still further your studies to get a better income in the long run. If that doesn't suit you, then I'd work to save up, then do the schooling. An education is important, but how can you get that education if you don't have a form of income?
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
19 Jan 13
For me that depends on the job offered.
If the company assures me of good compensation and promotion with my educational attainment- then I will stay with my present job.
I went back to school for 3 months training to get the job that I want and I got it.
There are companies that offers a good bargain (trainings either paid by the company or by yourself) for promotion.
As long as the I have a good paying job and a secured company-that matters most.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I think in your case it would probably be better to work. But that is between you and your husband to decide. Even though the working part looks promising it is still had to tell because he would only be applying for the job which isn't a guarantee that he would get it. It's hard making those types of decisions. I hope that things work out for the best.
@vivek19 (218)
• India
19 Jan 13
The better thing would be that you continue schooling and your husband find a job. When you complete your schooling and find a better job than your husband continue his schooling. This way you can hope for a better, more happy future.
@jirojoyman (458)
• Indonesia
19 Jan 13
it's difficult to chose between school or work.but i recommend that you must be patient with your current condition. but if i were you i would advise my husband to work, because it's not possible when you are two go to school at the same time, than who will pay the bill?after you are done with your school than you are free to seek a job untill you get it. so your husband can do the same thing, he can go to work and you replace him pay the bill, and when he done with his school than you two have jobs and income.
@kotia057 (171)
• Greece
19 Jan 13
You will have to chose the thing that is better for both of you.
And not only for financial view, think about what consequences it will have on your relationship i mean if he will work more after shool it may ruin your mariage.
The money will not make you hapy.
