Being a full-time student with no income is not an option for a lot people in America today. For those who opt for the part-time path, there are notable benefits that come from committing to both a job and an education at the same time. Just because your path to a graduate degree is longer than others doesn’t mean it’s any less meaningful.

Here are 5 benefits of being a part time student today:

1. Real World Experience:

A degree can only get you so far in life. Having professional experience under your belt when you graduate will make you twice as desirable to employers as your counterparts. Not to mention, you’ll have the real world experience to assimilate into your new environment quicker.

2. Immediate Application:

There’s a love of time wasted when new hires need to adjust to a practical working setting. As a part time student, you’ve already experienced this introduction, which means you’ll be ready to hit the ground running the second you walk through those doors.

3. Networking:

As a part time student, you’ll be able to network with both students and employers in the real world. You’ll cover two different networks at the exact same time, giving yourself more prospects when you move onto the next step.

4. Expert Support:
   By getting into the working world earlier, you’ll be able to observe industry experts in their fields at a young age. After watching multiple experts do their thing for years, you’ll have what you need to go on and emulate that display yourself.
5. Flexibility:

Being part time means you have schedule flexibility for what works best for you. If you want to prioritize one thing over another, you have that option. You can custom tailor a balanced solution.

Being a part time student is an excellent answer to a world with mounting demands.