I woke up this morning to a frantic phone call from Harper Dining Service’s Secretary. Turns out my fellowship is dependent on my being solely a student. I can’t get the fellowship and work at the same time. Which means I had a decision to make.
My decision, ultimately, was $2000 for free versus $4500 that I have to work 26 hours a week for. I worked up the math quickly in my head, and decided to go with work. Why?
Good question. I didn’t have much time to work it–this morning is Thursday, the last day of a pay period. I needed to decide today. So I didn’t have that much time to work out all the details.
But the main thoughts going through my head were as follows: I’m taking out fifteen thousand in loans for this year. I need all the money I can get to keep from taking out more. I need new glasses, which I’m going to get through the eye insurance my work pays for. I have a staff parking permit that I’d have to give up if I’m no longer staff. I enjoy my work–and I’ve given my word that I’m working this semester. Janet has been wonderful, working with me so far as benefits and Mexico and everything else is concerned. I can do my part by keeping my word this semester. I’m the Saturday manager–it’d be very difficult to fill that role at the last minutes–especially as I’m gearing up for Food Safety training this weekend. Marilyn generally relies on me as a Friday closer.
Yeah, it’d be nice to be just a student–to live a luxurious life of a couple of classes and a lot of free time. And I could probably swing it. But I have to think beyond the here and now. I have to think of how I’m currently enslaved to the federal government via student debt. I have to think of my testimony within my workplace. It’s a snap decision, but I’m glad that I chose the way I did.