Graduating from college early provides a number of benefits for students, including the opportunity to get a head start on the job search. But how do you know if the decision is right for you?
In college, we build a foundation of skills that will help us to make changes and improvements to society, hopefully in the form of a paying job. In short, we don’t only want to expand our knowledge, but we also want to stop relying on mom and dad to put food on the table. 
But college is expensive, and it’s only getting more so as the years go by. Many students opt to graduate a semester or even a year early to ease the financial burden of earning their degree, which often appears as tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. The average in 2011 was $23,300, with 10 percent owing more than $54,000 and three percent owing more than $100,000.
Graduating early can help students to alleviate some of this financial burden, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. Below are a few pros and cons to graduating from college early for your job search:
Pros:
Get a head start on your job search. Graduating in August or December can put you at an advantage because you won’t be competing with the rest of your class for jobs come May. You’ll be available for any open position a few months before the rest of your classmates, and the added time can help you to scope out what you really want to do.
Save money. As mentioned earlier, you can spend what would have been the last leg of your college career saving thousands of dollars of tuition money. Consider taking on a paid internship or a part-time job while you search for something more permanent. By the time May rolls around, your former classmates will be grappling with entering the “real world,” and you’ll already be on your feet.
Continue to build your skills. Graduating early can afford you extra time not only to look for a job, but to prepare yourself for one outside of the classroom as well. December grads can enjoy a few months to relax, take on a spring internship, start a new independent project, apply for grad school, study for the LSATs, or travel. Learning doesn’t only have to take place in the classroom. Use your extra time to build your resume or show employers what makes you unique.
Cons:
It can be tough. Graduating early requires years of preparation, and occasionally, some summer classes or heavy course loads. Consider taking classes at a community college during the summer to cut down on credit costs, and stay in touch with your academic advisors to make sure you stay on the right track.
You may feel limited. Many universities only offer certain courses during certain semesters, so completing your degree in less than four years can affect what types of classes you’re able to take, and what types of things you’ll be learning about. Many students may not like the lessened flexibility.
You may feel like you’re missing out. It can be tough to say goodbye to your college life before all of your friends, and some people may not like the fact that by graduating early, they’ll be missing out on a few more months of the college experience. Graduating early takes the mental preparation to say goodbye before all of your friends may be.
Graduating early carries a number of benefits, but it’s important to assess whether or not it’s right for your individual situation. Carefully weigh the pros and cons, and figure out what’s best for you when it comes to the job search. Good luck!
Do you think it’s worth it to graduate from college early for your job search? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
