Tips for Balancing an Online Master's Degree and Career
April 22, 2022
Read time: 5 minutes
Returning to school to pursue a master’s degree is an important, and potentially daunting decision, especially when juggling coursework and a full-time job. However, daunting does not mean impossible, especially when you take a proactive approach to planning and preparing. Read on for some tips to make the decision-making process and experience in the classroom more productive.
Understand the Time Commitment— and Plan Accordingly
If you are taking a part-time course load (typically one or two courses), expect to spend anywhere from 10 to 25 hours per week on your graduate program. This can seem like an intimidating amount of time, especially when you factor in working 40+ hours a week, but you can ease the burden (and potential panic!) if you plan for the time commitment upfront.
It helps to be realistic about the amount of time you will spend in class, on homework and projects, and studying for exams— you will likely spend portions of your evenings and weekends completing coursework.
When your time is limited, capitalizing on free time, even twenty minutes, throughout the day can be crucial for your success. For example, if you have an hour for lunch at work or know that you will be spending twenty minutes between appointments, plan out readings or tasks that you can complete in that short amount of time. This can help you to stay ahead of deadlines and chip away at assignments, avoiding the temptation to procrastinate until days or hours before the deadline.
Assemble and Lean on a Support System
Try not to work in a vacuum as you progress through your degree— instead, set yourself up for success by assembling a team around you. You can think of these individuals as your personal board of directors: colleagues, classmates, friends, and family that understand the impressive (and at times stressful) journey that you are on and will be willing to lend an ear and give you advice when you require a reminder of why you enrolled in the first place.
Explore your Employer’s Tuition Reimbursement Program
Did you know that most employers in the United States offer educational benefits to their employees? Tuition reimbursement is one of the most common perks in an educational benefits package. Still, fewer than half of employees across the US are aware of the benefits, with even less taking advantage of the opportunity, which means that you could be leaving money on the table.
Start by taking another look at the benefits package you received when your employment began or by reaching out to human resources personnel where you are employed to discuss the options available to you.
Opt for a Program that Offers Flexibility
If you’re a working professional, you know that your time is valuable, so you will need to choose a master’s program designed with your needs in mind. You may encounter graduate programs that require one or more in-person classes or weekend projects on campus. If you live in a city far removed from the university you choose, that might not be feasible.
In contrast, some graduate programs offer the opportunity to customize your learning experience based on the amount of time you have to dedicate to your education during any given semester. For example, perhaps you know that you’re exceptionally busy at work during the fall, so you can opt to take a lighter course load during that time.
Take time to review the fine print—curriculum, program structure, and level of support provided to evaluate if the program will work with or against your schedule.
Apply What You’re Learning in the Classroom at Work
One of the most important benefits of simultaneously working and attending graduate school is immediately applying your learnings from the classroom to the office. Even if you are pursuing a graduate degree in a different field that will position you for a career pivot, some of the topics or themes you are covering in class may be able to help you in the workplace.
When you are (virtually) sitting in class, attempt to draw parallels between the lessons being presented and projects you have going on at work. It could be as straightforward as a lesson on collaboration, teamwork, or understanding user journeys. This strategy can help you maximize your time— and put your tuition dollars invested to work well before earning your degree.
About the Integrated Innovation Institute's online programs:
The Integrated Innovation Institute breaks down the silos that impede innovation. We believe that by uniting the disciplines of engineering, design, and business, we can build impactful solutions that create value for real people.
Backed by the solid reputation of Carnegie Mellon University, our online, career-minded programs set you up for success — allowing you to build industry knowledge and connections. You’ll experience the same in-depth education as students who take the program on campus, but you’ll have the flexibility to take classes from anywhere.
"One of the main factors that attracted me towards this program is (it) being online and flexible for the working mom like myself," said Aymen, a current student in the online Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services degree. "I also liked the concept of stackable certificates that would definitely add value to my resume as I make progress."
The Integrated Innovation Institute offers stackable online certificates and an online master's degree, designed with the working professional in mind. It’s world-class education, wherever you are.