Over the course of their studies, many students pursue part-time employment. This can be a great way to make some money and build connections. However, it can also add another commitment to a busy schedule.
When pursuing a part-time job as a student, you should consider the following:
- Need for Money
- Courseload
- Type of Job
- Time Commitments
- Location of Employment
- Building your Resume
- Social Life
- Time Management
- Alignment to Career Ambitions
- Networking opportunities
Is it a Good Idea for a Student to Have a Part-Time Job?
In general, having a part-time job is a great experience for a student, but the type of job and time commitment necessary are important to consider. Having a part time job allows you to make some money, among other benefits. However, some jobs are better suited for students compared to others.
Having a part-time job while in school provides numerous benefits. Paying for college tuition is getting increasingly expensive, and working part-time when you’re a student can help offset some of the cost. As well, working can build skills that will ultimately benefit your career, including time management, dealing with people, and professional interactions.
That said, having a part-time job can add stress on top of your studies. Depending on the type of employment, you may have to dedicate a high number of hours weekly. You may also have to sacrifice social time for your job, working on the evenings and weekend. That said, the type of part-time employment you choose can minimize these issues.
Before getting into a part-time job, make sure you consider how it fits into your life.
Things to Consider When Pursuing a Part-Time Job as a Student
Getting a part-time job as a student is a great idea, but the type of job will dictate how well (or poorly) it fits into your studies. Here are ten things to consider when seeking out part-time employment as a student:
Need for Money
Your financial situation will likely dictate the type of job you pursue, and how much you work.
If you are borrowing money to pay for school or are responsible for paying for all your living expenses, it would be worth working more. Student loans can take years to pay-off, and minimizing the amount you have to borrow can greatly reduce the total amount to pay (as less interest is accrued). In this circumstance, you are best to pursue a job where you can work as much as possible while managing studies.
If you have financial aid (through family, scholarships, or other sources), your need to work may be minimized. In this circumstance, it is still a good idea to get a job, but you can be more selective. You can pursue a job that has more flexibility or aligns better with your career ambitions.
Courseload
Your courseload will also affect the type of job you pursue.
If you have a courseload that is heavy in lecture times (or other scheduled items), you are better to pursue a job that offers flexibility in timing (e.g. tutoring or free-lancing). This will allow you to work around your schedule. For example, I had a job as a Teaching Assistant during my engineering degree. This job required me to mark assignments, which could be done on my schedule. This was great for working around my busy lecture schedule.
However, if you have a lighter courseload, or have classes that are heavier in assignments, you can pursue a job with scheduled shifts (e.g. working in a restaurant). Because a lot of your workload is non-scheduled (you choose when to do it), you can work around a job schedule. You may also be able to work more if you have a lighter courseload.
Type of Job
The type of job you pursue will greatly affect how it fits into your life. For this analysis, I am going to split into scheduled vs. un-scheduled, and active vs. passive employment.
Some jobs will have a schedule that you adhere to (think a scheduled shift at a restaurant), whereas others will allow you to create your own schedule (think tutoring or marking assignments). Consider if you can commit to regularly scheduled shifts, and how that will be able to balance with your schoolwork, social life, and other commitments. For unscheduled jobs, consider if you have the discipline and time management skills to keep up to date with all your responsibilities.
The other consideration is active vs. passive employment. Active jobs are ones that you are actively working throughout your shift. For example, working as a server, you are constantly doing things. Other jobs will be more passive, meaning you can do schoolwork while working it. For example, I had classmates that supervised collaboration spaces in the evenings. This job allowed them to do their homework while getting paid. These are a great option for students.
Time Commitment
The amount of time working is a key consideration for part-time employment. You must also consider how much control you have over your work schedule.
Consider if you can commit to the time required for a job, alongside keeping up with studies. If a job requires you to work 20 hours per week, consider if you can and are willing to work these hours. Before you start a job, it is worth considering how much they expect you to work, and the usual working times (e.g. they expect you to work every Friday night).
The other consideration is the control you have over your schedule. Do they expect you to be at a certain place at a certain time, or are you free to work whenever, so long as the work gets done? While in school, I had classmates that worked as research assistants, and they were able to schedule their lab time to fit with their own class schedule.
Location of Employment
Another key consideration is the location of your employment relative to home/school. There are some jobs that can be done remotely, but many jobs require you to be in-person.
Remote jobs are great, as they allow you to work from anywhere, and there is no commute. For example, I had classmates that worked as virtual tutors, and would video call their students. This type of job provides a lot of flexibility.
In-person jobs are also common, and in this case closer is better. For example, during school I worked as a teaching assistant. This required me to attend a weekly tutorial on campus. I was already on campus, so I could go to the tutorial then go to the library or my lectures, meaning it was really easy to fit into my schedule. But if you take a job that has a commute, it becomes much harder to fit it into your schedule.
Building your Resume
You can also consider how a certain job will look on your resume.
If possible, getting a job that is relevant to your studies is preferred. Working with professors (either as a teaching assistant, aiding with research or otherwise) is a great way to build a connection that can help you get a job, and learn a lot along the way.
Ultimately, any job can be good on a resume so long as you can point to the skills you built in that position.
Social Life
Ultimately, a huge component of being in school is the social aspect. You must consider how a job will affect your social life.
Consider the typical schedule for a job. If it is typically working evenings, particularly on the weekend, it can limit the number of social events you can attend. Ultimately, you must consider if this is a sacrifice you’re willing to make.
Time Management
Your own time management skills are also key for working a part-time job.
Working part-time is a great way to build time-management skills but be careful not to stretch yourself too thin. If you know you have a lot of schoolwork, or are still developing your time management skills, do not sign-up for a job that has a considerable time commitment.
Alignment to Career Ambitions
If you can, getting a job aligned with your career ambitions is a great idea.
Getting a job that aligns with your career ambitions allows you to build skills and connections related to that career. This can give you a leg up in getting a full-time role upon graduation.
Working in your desired field can also give you a taste of the work, and help you determine if it is right for you. For example, as a mechanical engineer, I worked at a gold mine for two summers. This was a great experience but made me realize that I didn’t want to do that long-term.
If you are looking for jobs aligned with your field, your professors are a great resource. They may have open positions, or connections within the industry.
Networking Opportunities
Working part-time can build valuable connections. These connections can help you get a job upon graduation or can build relationships that will serve you later in your career.
When seeking employment, consider if you are able to build connections within this position. These connections can also come from places you do not expect. For example, while working at a mine, I made a connection with the equipment dealer that we worked alongside. This eventually resulted in me getting a job with that organization.
Conclusion
Part-time employment can be a fantastic opportunity as a student, but there is a lot to consider when selecting what is best for you. Review the items listed here, and make an informed decision on the best option for your life.
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