As a college student, you will find that you may need to get a part-time job while going to school, whether it be for financial reasons or for related work experience for your intended career.
Working a part-time job while going to college can provide a solid source of income if you are strapped for cash and are a college student living on a budget. Working a part-time student job also gives you hands-on job experience you can add to your resume that will prove to be very useful, regardless of your major.
Whatever your motivation for working while in college, there are plenty of jobs perfect for college students.
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Is working while in college a good idea or is it something that will get in the way of your studies?
Tips for Working While Going to College
Before you apply for a job, make sure you have time in your schedule so it does not interfere with your studies.
There are many pros and cons of working while in college. Students who consider getting a job while going to school have to decide whether or not they can afford to sacrifice quality study time. Some, given their financial situation, are forced to work. Others may be better off going for additional financial aid that doesn't have to be paid back until after college, so they can continue to focus on their studies.
For those who choose to work, the additional income is nice, but could doing so have an impact on your grades?
Imagine trying to study for a test but you are scheduled to work in about 30 minutes, you then study for a limited amount of time, do not comprehend the material, and go to work with the burden in your mind knowing that you are not prepared for your exam. You do not want to experience this added pressure and anxiety in college life.
With that in mind, you need to be very meticulous with your schedule. Take note of when your classes are and build your work schedule around it. Always remember to prioritize your studies over any job. Remember you are working towards a career, which is a lifelong investment.
If you choose to take on a part-time job, it is important to find something you enjoy doing. You already have hard college classes to worry about and with those strenuous classes comes added stress. You don't need a job that will add more stress to your already busy college schedule.
The trick is to find a job that is related to your major. It would be like killing two birds with one stone. You would make extra money needed to pay for college and get valuable job experience that will make you a prime candidate for hire when you graduate.
Good Jobs for College Students
Internships
The most common jobs for college students are internships. You can usually find out more about what is available through the career center on campus. These jobs usually do not pay much money, if any at all, as their main purpose is to provide students with learning experience for their major. These jobs are also ideal because the employer will work around the student's schedule. Doing an internship will help build up your resume so you have some of the experience necessary to enter the job market.
Be sure to check out some of the top college internship programs.
Resident Assistant
Every college campus with dorms will have resident assistants. These are students that help with other students in the dorms. They have responsibilities such as holding dorm meetings, making freshmen feel welcome and comfortable, conducting dorm inspections, and helping resolve roommate disputes. In return, resident assistants receive a private room in the dorm as compensation.
Retail Jobs
If there are retail stores or a mall near campus, consider a part-time job in retail sales. Retail jobs are perfect for college students as the schedules are more flexible and the pay can be more than minimum wage.
Waitress/Waiter
Waiting tables at a restaurant is a job that can be flexible for a college student’s schedule. Depending on the type of restaurant you work for, you can probably earn quite a bit in tips, which will help pay for books for school and maybe even tuition. The catch to waiting tables is that you get paid a really low hourly rate and you are on your feet all day, however if you are good at the job and you are a people person, you can easily walk away with a nice payout in tips.
University Jobs
There are many jobs on campus that would be perfect for a college student. You could do anything from working in the bookstore stocking books to working the register in the dining hall. These jobs are sometimes given to work-study students first and then regular college students. When you fill out your FAFSA, make sure you indicate that you are interested in work-study so that you can be eligible for some of these jobs. If you are a work-study student, then your pay is usually applied to your outstanding tuition balance.
There are clear advantages to working a part-time job in college if you do it right. The key is to balance your job with your coursework. If you do this successfully, you will have extra money in your pocket as well as hands-on experience that is invaluable this day and age.
As a disclaimer, please note this article was focused on a part-time job, never a full-time job. Working 40+ hours a week is simply not recommended for a college student and the added stress of working a full time job while in college is immense. It would be a better solution to get financial aid if you are in need of money and continue focusing on your studies.