Many people are of the opinion that working while in college distracts students from their studies. But the truth is working during your college years has more pros than cons. Yes, it can get overwhelming to juggle a part-time or full-time job while still pursuing your education, but it’s possible. However, it’s no secret that it’s a daunting task as you’ll need to put in extra effort to maintain your job and still score good grades.
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Getting a college degree is like an investment, but unlike conventional investments such as buying a car, it has the potential of making a contribution to your savings in the long run. There’s no denying that the cost of education is high, even with financial aid and scholarships. And it can sometimes become challenging to settle all your bills and still have enough money to spend on other things. Hence working while in college not only reduces the financial cost of your education but also provides opportunities for on-the-job training and valuable work experience.
Consider creating a budget to help you determine how much effort and time you’ll need to put in to make ends meet. Doing this will enable you to determine the number of hours you’ll require to spend at work and still be productive at school. Next, you’ll need to find a job that fits seamlessly into your schedule, preferably with flexible working hours. Alternatively, you can opt for summer jobs.
1. Should you work while in college? Things to consider
2. Benefits of working while in college
3. Tips to make working while in college easy
Choosing to work while in college is not a decision that should be rushed. You need to fully understand the impact this choice will have on your academics and social life in general. Below are some guidelines to help you decide:
Are you cut out for it?
Well, everyone is different. While there are numerous success stories of people who managed to work more than one job and still get good grades, there are also tons of students who bit off more than they can chew. It’s essential to be aware of your skills (organization, time management, and how you work under pressure). You should start by determining how much your college degree costs, including:
Once you obtain the total figure, break it down on a quarterly basis to establish how much you need to make to cater to some of these expenses. Then, create a schedule that includes your classes, extracurricular activities, and studying time. This will give you a general picture of the amount of time you can allocate to work.
Is working while in college worth it?
Yes, getting a job while in school has many benefits. But it’s essential to have a clear vision of why you are doing it in the first place. Is it because of money or to create professional networks? Is it to get a head start in your career? Figure out what you are looking for in a college job to ensure you meet your goals.
If the job fails to meet any of your requirements or the benefits are negligible, then there’s no point of taking it. Consider the fact that you only have one chance to make the best out of your college years and achieve the best grades. Remember the main reason why you are in college in the first place – to ace your education and someday work in an industry that you are passionate about. So make sure the job you do while in school enhances your goals rather than limits you.
Will working while in college affect my college experience?
You only get the chance to experience your responsibility-free life once. Freedom will never feel as exhilarating and abundant as it does now. Consider the fact that getting the full college experience is just as important as getting a job while in school. You need to ensure that you set aside time so that you don’t miss out on the experience of joining clubs, organizations, and social activities. Alternatively, you can opt to wait for a semester or preferably a year before looking for work – this will give you ample time to settle in and experience college. On the other hand, nothing helps to manage your new found freedom and acquire some sense of responsibility like a job. Learning new skills, being accountable and financially independent can be just as exciting.
At face value getting a job while in college may be challenging and seem like an unreasonable proposition since it may eat into your study time, but with the increased cost of education, and many students not fortunate enough to offset their college expenses, working while studying has become the norm.
1. Source of income
Having a job while in college ensures that you have a source of cash flow. Yes, your parents or guardians don’t mind the burden of catering to your education expenses, but they have their limits. What happens if extra costs pop up and your parents aren’t willing to grant you your request for extra cash? There’s no denying that having a job while in college will bring in extra income which can help you reduce the financial burden from your parents, start a savings plan or better yet offset some of your student loans.
2. Opportunity to offset the cost of a college education
Getting a job in college helps to cut the cost of student loans that you would have to borrow to pay for your education. Having a job and a well thought out budget will ensure you can supplement your earnings to pay for your classes, tuition, textbooks among other things. Additionally, getting a job while in college enables you to offset student loans which means graduating with less debt and easing the burden of accumulated interests.
Generally, getting a job while in college doesn’t replace the need for financial assistance such as student’ loans but significantly reduces the amount that you have to borrow. And the more you earn, the less you’ll have to borrow. Additionally, even though student loan reimbursement isn’t required until a student graduates, having a job allows you to make regular interest payments, which ultimately reduces the amount you owe after graduation.
3. Offers valuable job experience
Students that work while pursuing their education tend to stand out in the job market compared to those that don’t. This is because employers are more interested in people who have a proven track record of their ability to work and achieve a specific goal. Getting a job while in college helps you gain on-the-job training, or rather professional experience, which makes you stand out in the competitive job market. ‘Real’ job experience, whether from an internship or otherwise, demonstrates your potential to fit in the work environment as well as attest to the skills and experiences you possess. Additionally, some of these internship opportunities can turn into part-time or full-time jobs once you graduate.
Consider seeking help from your career department to find out about the jobs that are related to your field, job openings, and how to go about getting them. However, it’s advisable also to pursue job experiences that are not directly related to your field of study. This is because any job will provide you with transferable skills that put you ahead of the competition.
4. Opportunity to learn and develop new skills
Getting a job while in college helps strengthen your skills which plays a significant role throughout your career path. One of these skills is time management. In most cases, you’ll be required to balance school and work projects. You’ll need to know how to prioritize tasks and plan to avoid missing deadlines. Mastering time management skills will assist you in becoming better generally. If you are new to working while studying and aren’t confident in your time management skills, you can create a schedule and establish the amount of time you waste per week and use them for work. It’s always a good idea to create a schedule before going for job interviews. This will help you negotiate for flexible working hours.
5. Improves academic performance
Learning organizational and time management skills helps students prioritize their study time which ultimately results in improved grades. However, everyone is different, so it’s important to figure out what works for you. Set up your own pace and ensure you take on jobs with flexible hours to avoid burning out or becoming stressed.
6. Opportunity to network and create professional contacts
Working during your college years is an excellent opportunity to build professional connections which will come in handy later in your career path. Once you complete your college education, professional networks become an essential part of your job search process.
7. Employee benefits and perks
Most organizations offer full-time benefits to employees if they work 25+ hours per week. This means if you are one of these employees, you qualify for insurance, a tuition assistance program, vacation, paid time offs (PTO) or even beginning a pension plan. However, these opportunities are dependent on the organization you are working for. But wouldn’t it be exciting and beneficial to start a pension plan while still in college?
8. Provides a sense of independence
Getting a job while still in college allows college students to develop a sense of autonomy that initially didn’t exist. The majority of college students enjoy working while still in school because they get to experience financial and personal freedom which they wouldn’t experience otherwise. Having a job for these students means access to a plethora of possibilities from starting their businesses to saving. However, self-discipline and financial management skills are critical.
9. Teaches financial management
There’s no better way to learn than through experience. Starting to earn while in college helps you understand the value of your hard earned cash, meaning that you’ll be reluctant to spend it frivolously. Getting a job will assist you to develop financial management skills and take responsibility for your expenses and needs. Additionally, it will help you establish budgeting skills which will help you track your expenses.
College is tough but having a job while in college is even harder. However, for many students, this trend is becoming a financial necessity. The trick to excel at juggling both college and work is knowing how to prioritize responsibilities, staying organized and being realistic. Consider the fact that working while in college may not be for you if you realize your grades are dropping, or your productivity at work is declining. Having and maintaining a balance in managing these two responsibilities should be your goal. Otherwise, remember that your main priority for going to college is your studies.
Create a balance
Find a flexible job. This is one of the best ways to master juggling school and work without straining yourself. There are several options you can choose from, including:
School should be your priority. So find a job that fits into your school schedule or is flexible. This makes it easy for you to plan for your classes and your study time.
Learn how to manage your time well
Time management is a learned skill and it will take some time to grasp it fully. In the meantime, practice by:
Budget
Just like time management, budgeting is also a learned skill. To save money, it’s vital to determine how much you spend and set boundaries on your expenditure. Using budgeting apps or a simple spreadsheet will do the trick and help you track your expenses. Additionally, ensure you set money aside to cover tuition and other costs. Furthermore, if you must work while in school, look for opportunities that help you make the most money. Some of these jobs may include:
Seek advice
Getting a job is a difficult task. Consider seeking help from your professors or career advisors. Chances are they know people or job openings to get you started. Additionally, they may be in a position to point you in the direction of a position that is related to your field of study, which can include grant-funded opportunities or professional networks who can help you. Additionally, consider doing the following to increase your chances of getting a job while in college:
i. Revamp your resume
A good resume determines whether you land the job or not. Consider the fact that recruiters often get hundreds of job applications and have more than one job position to fill, meaning that they have very little time to go through every resume. So, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your resume is easily skimmable and highlights your most marketable qualities.
ii. Craft a stellar cover letter
Your cover letter is your ticket to landing that job. Your cover letter is the first point of contact recruiters make with you. Tailoring the perfect cover letter ensures recruiters skim your resume and call you for an interview. Do your best to customize your cover letter to the specific position you are applying for, and personalize it so that it makes a great first impression on your behalf.
Develop a habit of communicating
Always communicate with your supervisors or professors and keep them in the loop of your schedule. Create rapport with your professors and ensure you are always up to date with test dates, class projects, and assignment due dates. Relay this information to your supervisor at work to ensure that when the time comes, it will be easier for you to get a day off. Ensure you demonstrate your willingness and commitment to do a good job. Remember the fact that if your employer hired you knowing that you are a student they are more likely to be accommodating of your schedule. Doing this ensures that all the essential people are informed and willing to give extra support to help you achieve your academic goals.
Don’t overcommit yourself
Keeping up with school work is already hard and working on the side also demands your time and effort. Therefore, don’t overload yourself with extra obligations. Stick to shifts that best fit with your schedule but do not take up too much time at once. Additionally, avoid shifts in between classes, choose to either work before or after your classes. This way if you hit a snag and need extra time to reschedule it will not affect your entire plan for the day or the specific period. Otherwise, you’ll burn out, and both your job and school work will be affected. And do not forget to make time for you.
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