In this article (and video above), I talk about a significant topic: whether or not to quit your job to study for the FE exam. This is a dilemma many of our listeners face, and today, we’re diving deep into the advantages, disadvantages, and alternative options to help you make an informed decision.
Benefits of Leaving Your Job
- Increased Focus: Without the daily grind of work, you can dedicate more time and energy to studying for the FE exam. This focused approach could lead to faster and more effective preparation.
- Reduced Stress: Balancing work and study can be overwhelming. Quitting your job might significantly lessen this stress, potentially improving your focus and learning ability.
- Flexible Study Schedule: Free from a rigid work schedule, you can tailor your study plan to fit your personal learning style, offering the freedom to study at your most productive times.
- Potential for Faster Progress: More study time often translates to quicker learning and progress towards your target score.
- Boosted Confidence: Fully committing to the exam preparation can increase your confidence, fostering a positive and focused mindset towards your studies.
Disadvantages of Quitting
Now, let’s consider the potential drawbacks:
- Financial Strain: Giving up a regular income can lead to financial challenges, affecting you and your dependents.
- Resume Gap Concerns: A significant break in employment might raise red flags for future employers.
- Loss of Professional Experience: Stepping away from the workforce means missing out on valuable job experience and growth opportunities.
- Missed Career Opportunities: You might lose out on promotions or other advancements at your current job.
- Reduced Social Interaction: Leaving your job could lead to less social engagement, potentially impacting your emotional well-being.
- Renewed Exam Pressure: The pressure to succeed in the exam after quitting your job can be immense, potentially leading to heightened anxiety and stress.
Factors to Consider
So before making a decision, reflect on these critical considerations:
- Financial Situation: Assess if you can manage without an income and if you have savings or other financial means to support this period.
- Exam Difficulty: Consider your confidence level in your engineering knowledge and the amount of study time you might need.
- Career Goals: Evaluate the importance of the FE exam and a Professional Engineering (PE) license for your career path.
- Study Habits: Understand your learning preferences – do you thrive studying independently, or do you need the structure of a work environment?
- Alternative Options: Have you thought about other methods like part-time study, a leave of absence, or finding a study partner?
Alternatives to Quitting
Lastly, if quitting seems too drastic, here are some alternatives:
- Study Part-Time: This allows you to keep working while preparing for the exam, though it requires excellent time management.
- Take a Leave of Absence: Some employers may allow a temporary break for exam preparation.
- Find a Study Partner: Partnering with someone can boost your motivation and deepen your understanding of the material.
- Negotiate Reduced Work Hours: Talk to your employer about cutting back your hours to free up more study time.
Deciding whether to quit your job to study for the FE exam is complex and deeply personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your financial situation, career goals, and study habits. Remember, the FE exam is an important step, but it’s not the sole determinant of your professional success. Choose a path that aligns with your needs and goals, and stay focused on the bigger picture of your career.
This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI, A Kaplan Company:
PPI
has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.
In upcoming articles, I will answer more FE Exam questions and run through more practice problems. We publish videos bi-weekly on our Pass the FE Exam YouTube Channel. Be sure to visit our page here and click the subscribe button as you’ll get expert tips and tricks – to ensure the best success – that you can’t get anywhere else. Believe me, you won’t want to miss a single video.
Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of the videos or here on this page, and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.
I’ll see you next week.
Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
