Neil Westergaard, director for WSC's Distance Education System, said students can achieve both through the latest Internet technology and some flexibility on the school's part.
"Our concern is people thinking they have to make a choice between school and work. There are 200 oil jobs open between western North Dakota to eastern Montana," Westergaard said.
"Our concern is they are making the decision to go to work. If five years later there is a bust, and they have to go back to school, they may have families and it will be more challenging."
Westergaard advises them to invest in their education while they earn the high wages. He suggests those pursuing high wages in the oil patch take one or two courses per semester through the school's distance learning program. Night courses and weekend classes could be added in certain areas that require hands-on lab work such as auto mechanics or computers if there is enough interest.
"Courses can be taken through distance education with technology not available 20 years ago. A person can work during the day and work on an associate degree at night," explained Ken Quamme, dean of technology for WSC.
Distance education is used by students only blocks away or those that are far from the city limits. Users like it because of the flexibility it allows them around their daily schedule. Like anything, a student will draw from the class depending on how much effort goes into it.
Westergaard added that if enough people pool together, a particular course could be added nights or weekends.
While WSC reported a record spring enrollment in January with 980 students, the number of actual on-campus students fell by 60, said Westergaard.
"We saw a decrease in the typically male-oriented programs like auto mechanics, agriculture, diesel mechanics and computers," Westergaard said. "That could be a result of the activity in the oil patch."
"We want to help people not to have to make the decision between work and school. They can choose both. The education may take longer, but they learn they can complete part of their education."
They said with the new advances on the rigs, furthering their education may help workers advance by earning credits in technology, business and others.
Westergaard suggested some companies may be interested in helping workers with the class costs because it may be to their advantage.
Westergaard said it is a win-win situation for students, the employers and the college alike.
"Part-time students pay the same for their tuition as full-time students," Quamme said.
If you are interested in adding weekend or night classes, or would like to see what types of programs can be taken through distance learning on the Internet, call Westergaard at 774-4231 or e-mail him at neil.westergaard@wsc.nodak.edu
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