This doesn't have to be an either/or situation. There is no reason you can't go looking for a part-time job in the industry and frame it as "looking for a job to help get your through college." Sometimes, employers have a hard time filling weird slots where they want and need quality candidates, but it isn't a full time gig or has odd hours. That might be the perfect thing for a full time student.

If you get said gig and feel like the usual course load for full time is a bit much, you can look at what the minimum hours are to be considered full time to keep whatever grants and the like you may have that are dependent upon full time student status.

When I was in college, typical course load was 3 classes each worth 5 credit hours for a total of 15 credit hours. But one quarter I took the minimum of 12 credit hours because I needed a break from the pressure but did not wish to drop out. Later, I took an overload, 4 full time (5 credit hour) classes for a total of 20 credit hours that quarter. I had to get approval to do it. I think 18 hours was the point at which it was viewed as an overload.

So dig around in the college policies a bit and consider looking for part-time jobs that would help you get your foot in the door.

Best of luck.