Working 24's & Going to School

[FireResQ2382]

I was wondering if there are any career department members here who have had any expierience with working full-time (24 hr shifts) and taking traditional or night college courses (not online)? I would be curious to know how that worked out for you personally and how it worked as far as time off at work or trading shifts to get time off.

[ffscm72]

I'd assume everyone has different answer for this. But i can say i didn't work out for me...lol. Got wore out pretty fast.

[DeputyMarshal]

It all depends on how easily you can get swaps from other firefighters. Clearly, it's not an easy thing to do but I do know people in my department doing it.

Another option I'd strongly suggest looking into is distance learning rather than a traditional program. It can take a bit more discipline on the student's part to keep on pace but it has the virtue of allowing a very flexible schedule.

[gunnyv]

I used a lot of trades and personal business time. The bachelor degree program I'm currently in is targeted to public safety, so we have a dual section class. You can go either Tues night or Wed morning. I'm loving that.

[EGH128]

In my department (small, 17 paid staff), the department pays for the education and guarantees time off to go to class if you are on duty. Department pays tuition, books, and supplies a vehicle to take to class. We are very lucky.

[closetkd]

Last department gave time off as long as it didn't create over time. Current department guarantees 72 hrs per calendar year and allows max of 24 unused to be carried over to the next calendar year.

[firehat87]

It worked out for me but there were some mornings that weren't too fun. Nothing sucks more than talking about Nietzsche after being up all night on a burner. We work 24-48's and my department has no interest whatsoever in making anything we do for ourselves any easier so no time off for me. I didn't want to do a distance degree for undergrad, though I am taking that route for my master's. I don't think I can go to grad school and skip every third day like in undergrad. It was definitely worthwhile to do the traditional bachelor's even with all the time working. I just spoke with all my profs at the start of the semester and explained my issues. Most of them were pretty receptive and for the few who weren't I just either dropped the class or begged for a chance to prove them wrong. So it can definitely be done.

[ffscm72]

I know i applaud anyone who can do it. I had way to much goin' for me.

[Geinandputitout]

I had 20 hours of college when I got hired on a full-time department. I finished by AA & Bachelor's degree (total of 120) while working a 24/48 schedule. I don't like on-line classes, and found that I got a lot more out of a "real" class.

When I made my class schedule I found that it was good to schedule all of my classes back-to-back. I would spend the morning, the afternoon, or the evening in class.

We don't have any personal leave, and when I was going to school I didn't have much vacation. So I traded a ton of time. Our policy is pretty liberal, but I had the best luck when I found a fellow firefighter that was willing to work all of the trades for a semester. I usually ended up trading 100 hours a semester. I found it easier to take a little bit extra in student loans, and pay my "time-trader" in cash. I'd pay the guy half up-front and half at the conclusion of the semester.

It can be difficult to juggle - school, work, kids, etc. It just takes some effort to manage your time. Good Luck.