College Job Advice

Many students decide to look for a college job to earn extra money and work experience while pursuing their degrees. Although this can be an excellent way to pad a thin resume and cut down on post-graduation debt, student employment isn’t ideal for everyone. Before you decide to split your time between work and school, find out what you can expect to help you make a decision.

College Job Benefits

Looking for a college job has substantial benefits if you put forethought into your employment search. Having extra cash shouldn’t be your sole reason to look for a job, especially if you’re not in a position where you have to work to survive. You won’t always have a wide array of open positions available to you, but if you can, look for college jobs that:

• Are in the same career field as the degree you’re pursuing
• Let college students work fewer hours during mid-terms and finals, and work more hours over the summer
• Offer the ability to learn the skills you’ll need to make your resume stand out from the rest of your graduating class.

In addition to gaining new skills, having a college job can show potential employers you know how to manage your time. Completing your coursework and meeting your job responsibilities is no small feat, particularly once you reach your upper division courses. Maintaining high grades and favorable references from managers can prove your ability to stay calm under pressure and split focus between tasks with opposing objectives. Both skills are valuable when entering the workplace.

College Job Disadvantages

The primary disadvantage to a college job is the time it takes away from your studies. In some cases, having even part-time employment while in school can cause students to lose focus on their primary goal of getting a college degree. In the end, letting your grades suffer while you work extra hours to win a small promotion at your job isn’t a good tradeoff unless it’s a company you plan to turn into your permanent career.

Also, remember that not every business is ideal for a college job. To a degree, every employer makes running their business a top priority, but it becomes an issue when they refuse to make allowances for school. Class and lab times can change throughout the semester. Having a supervisor who’s unwilling to adjust your work schedule so you can attend class can put you in a position to choose between your current job and your education.