I'm an undergrad economics student at a pretty solid university in the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed economics through high school and so decided as an econ major in college. I hate my current class, but I think it's a combo of an awful professor and the specific class isn't very interesting.

Anyways, I'm 20 and have been playing 1/2 since I was 18. I currently have a win rate of $18.27/hr. I was playing live 15 hours a week over the summer, but with school I'm only able to play 5 hours a week live and then ~3 hours a week online. This is really upsetting and I didn't realize college would limit me THAT much (yes, I'm a junior, but I transferred colleges so the new workload is different.)

Anyways, I could likely score a full time job out of college in the salary range of $40k-$60k a year but I know that also most likely means I'm probably gonna be stuck playing 5 hours a week. I don't think I have what it takes yet to be a professional player, but really limiting how much I can play for the rest of my life until retirement will not allow me to EVER get there.

I'm meeting with a guy that plays professionally on Friday and a career advisor at the University on Monday to further discuss this, but I don't think I'll be happy if my job is consuming me. In a perfect world I suppose out of college I'd be working part time using my degree (25 hours, $20k-$30k range) and then play live ~25 hours a week.

This dilemma has really been killing me on the inside as I technically graduate in 16 months and really have to get this figured out soon, along with an internship. Has anyone been in a similar predicament or know of anyone that has experience with such a problem? I appreciate your responses.

Its good asking yourself those types of questions, and honestly, nobody will really be able to give you an answer except yourself...

Do what you love, enjoy life and everything will be fine.

I'm in the same type of dilemma at the moment with a 9 to 5 job which is driving me more and more crazy... and not enough time for poker.

Working part time is a nice option. I asked my boss to only work 4 days a week instead of 5 and they accepted so it's a start.

I love reading this when I am asking myself life changing decisions:

https://www.fs.blog/2014/05/hunter-s...to-hume-logan/

"But a man who procrastinates in his CHOOSING will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance."

GL finishing your study and for the rest

That was actually a really cool link. That letter is full of wisdom.

Op, what do you want in the next:

1-3 years
3-years
5+ years

Example:
Early 20s make stacks get b*tches
Mid 20s calm down a bit steady income settle on residence
Late 20s buy house start family

Finally, if you won $1M today, what would you do? (Besides 2 chicks at the same time ldo)

I want to start with the very broad context that not knowing who you are or what you want to do is the absolute essence of our existence. So dont fret.

I'll finish with the very dry very materialistic anecdote that I can play any public game in this country and it isnt because I'm good at poker. Few realize this but a job is one of the best sources of a poker bankroll, and you'll be set with an econ degree.

Keep playing on the side and get a job. As avaritia mentioned, it gets easier if you are playing for side money. I’ve worked anywhere from 40-60 hours a week normal job since graduating. I still try and get 10 hours of poker in a week. It’s doable especially without having to worry about playing for a living. Keep it as a profitable hobby is my advice. Goodluck to you!

Hey, here is a bit of background on my situation:

I played poker for fun all throughout uni (also an Econ major!) and was a winning recreational. I also was thinking about taking some time off to play full time after graduating. Instead, I took a corporate job at a big 4, and I’m currently 20 months into that role, I play about 10 hours of poker a week, tbh I could probably do 20 if I really wanted to sacrifice other parts of my life.

I’ve realized that working full time isn’t really what I want to pursuit. So I’ve decided to work until I become a senior consultant (36 months) and build up a solid resume for a plan B in case I want to come back to the 9-5 grind in the future. In the interim, I’ve negotiated a four day work week, with purchased annual leave packages which allows me to take 2 weeks off work every 2 months. This was a pretty easy thing to negotiate for and I commence this at the beginning of Jan 2019. plan on putting a lot more volume in poker during my time off work.

I think doing uni and getting a good graduate job first is probably the more +EV move for multiple reasons:
- gives you time to get really good at poker
- allows you to save $$ (do this, it’s super important)
- creates a good backup plan if poker doesn’t work out
- builds discipline, routine, and gratitude to be able to play poker

Hope that helps, I have my own PGC where ive documented my journey if you want to read more. Also feel free to DM me if you want to chat more.

Best of luck! (: