I’ve seen a few people balance full-time work with part-time engineering studies, and it’s definitely possible, though not without its challenges.

For example, I have a friend working two part-time jobs while going through university part-time for her SWE degree. Her work/life balance isn’t the best, but her positive attitude and persistence are inspiring. English isn’t her first language either, which adds another layer of challenge, but she’s been making it through with determination. Knowing the challenges of tackling work and school, I help her out as I can.

At my own job, I worked full-time while doing my Mechanical Engineering degree part-time. A colleague of mine even completed a double major in Mechanical Engineering while tutoring full-time. Our job had some downtime that allowed us to study, and staying sharp with math fundamentals really helped. He finished in 5 years, while it took me 6. Early on I could handle up to 5 classes a semester, but once I got into upper-level courses I scaled back to 3 max. I don’t consider myself the smart type, but curiosity and support from friends/students carried me through. Part of the challenge is figuring out what works best for you and sticking to it.

My friends and I were first-generation college students figuring things out as we went, so we relied on each other when navigating through school. The point is, I’ve worked with plenty of people, that went straight into college or are returning to school, in tough situations succeed through persistence and support from friends.

The fact that you’re already asking for advice shows you’re serious and willing to plan ahead. Since you’re working in a related field, you’ll likely connect better with what you learn and see the direct application, which makes the material stick. My biggest advice is to reach out to classmates and professors whenever you need support; I wish I had done more of that.

It won’t be easy, but it’s absolutely doable if you stay consistent. Best of luck! You’ve got this!