Was it hard to have a job during college?

Hello!
Most college admissions offices can provide you with details about cost of living on campus, upon request. If you live on-campus, some scholarships will cover the costs in addition to tuition, but it depends on your financial aid package. I would spend a lot of time thinking about the types of questions you have in relation to finances, and keep a record of them for when you are ready to start applying for financial aid and scholarships. Most student loans can be used to cover any costs; I used mine to pay for rent, books, food, etc. in graduate school. But, they are loans! I worked throughout college and had a GA position in graduate school. The key is finding a job that can work with your schedule and one that is convenient so that it is easy to get to quickly without having to worry about driving long distances, paying for parking or relying on long trips on public transportation. Restaurants are a great option for most students, but so is retail. As you continue through college you can also try to network within the professional field you are studying. A student with a degree in business and finance could get a job as a bank-teller, but again, making sure that the schedule makes sense. You won't find a job that requires a college degree or certification, but you could make some great connections in your field. Good luck!

Indra,
I worked part-time, about 20 hours a week, during school in various roles at the registrar's office, admissions, library, and even the school radio station. With financial aid, grants, and help from my parents, I was able to make enough for food, books, and commute to school. Also, I worked full-time during the summer, and that helped out a lot to pay for the following semester/school year. I budgeted about $750 for books each semester, and $10/day for food (that was back in 2000-2005) - I found ways to save on books by buying used books through half.com..although, now I think you can rent them for much cheaper through chegg.com.
I didn't find it hard to balance school and work. I think you'll find that with a fair amount of in-school jobs, you'll have some downtime to read and prep for your classes. You can check around with fellow students to see what the workload is like with various departments. With work and classes, you'll also have to be more careful with how you spend your "free" time. You'll want to make time so that you can stay on top of your course work, and allow extra time to take advantage of other activities the school and student community has to offer.

I worked on campus in the development office my last year of college and found it actually forced me to be more organized with my time. I also learned how the university did fundraising and cultivated donors, even though I was working in Central Files (basically a filing position - probably the equivalent to a data entry type position now). It's helpful to get real world experience. If you can get a position in your field, no matter how menial, it can provide great insights into the field and open doors for other opportunities. I would recommend looking for student jobs on campus as it will be most convenient (close, no transit costs) and the staff will be understanding when you need to take time off for finals. I think I was only working 15-20 hours a week. Work-study programs like this one can be helpful: http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/home/work.htm I was not eligible, but was still able to get a student job on campus http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/home/jobs.htm

Yes, holding down a job in college takes some...work! But it's totally worth the effort. I always picked jobs that had a flexible schedule. The value of being a full-time student is taking advantage of all the other developmental opportunities on campus beyond taking classes. You don't want a job limiting your options to participate in organizations and activities that make the on-campus experience so worthwhile. I worked as a party pic photography, and had my own business as a wedding and event photographer. I would also encourage you to get creative with job opportunities that can contribute to your development and help you think about your future, so finding a job that relates to your major provides an extra bonus. I also worked as computer science lab assistant tutoring students on coding assignments. All my jobs helped me develop answers to interview questions and figure out what my strengths were and how I could contribute to an organization. I'd also look for opportunities in the student union. They often provide leadership and customer service development for their employees... both will serve you well as you look for internships and jobs in the future. Good Luck!

I did work during college but i chose a more flexible route. I tutored elementary and high school students so I was able to make my own schedule. I didn't work a lot of hours (less than 15 a wk) but it was fun for me and I was able to make some money as well. It was hard but honestly it's all about time management. And you can choose your class schedule (for the most part) in college so you can keep that in mind as well. You have a lot of options, you could do work study and work on campus, you could work near school, you could work only nights and/or weekends or even take a seasonal job when school is not in session if you are nervous about the load. School comes first so you want to make sure you keep your grades up, but I do think it's doable to get a job that will work with your school schedule so you can help pay for books and food. I can't speak for the actual amount for books and food since it has been awhile since I was in college, but I think you can research that online (for the particular college you want to go to).

Hello Indra

I must say that going to school and having a job requires a great deal of balance especially your freshman year of college. I would recommend not getting a job until after you complete your freshman year of college. It is so much to get adjusted too your freshman year and having a job during that time could be just a little overwhelming. I do know that sometime it is not an option of not having a job and you need it to help pay for college. Through prayer and determination you can do both; for sure it will keep you busy.

I hope this helps.

My school had a lot of on campus jobs that were popular options for students. The jobs ranged from calling alumni for donations, to being a tour guide for the school, to working front desk at a dorm, to working at the cashier in our convenience store. I feel like most schools have options like these for students to be able to make money. They were also more convenient because you stayed on campus and were able to set your own schedule. You might want to look for options like that. Doing a part time job might be difficult to balance with school. You always have to think about the trade offs of having less time for school work or even to enjoy college and time with friends. I would recommend trying to find something that is flexible and convenient.

I think that working during college is a great way to learn time management skills. I went to school, participated in student organizations and worked part time. It wasn't easy, but I learned how to manage my schedule, prioritize tasks that needed to be done and work under pressure. Towards my junior and senior year I started working jobs more related in my field, doing part time payroll and data entry, which boosted my resume for an internship in my last semester. I think it is important to remember to put your schoolwork first and take some time off to enjoy your spring and summer vacations.

Yes, It is difficult to work and go to school. However it really denpends on the field you are interested in. When you start to apply to colleges that is one of the questions you will be asked if you are going to work and go to school, There are some schools that due to the curriculum indicate that they do not think it is in the best interest of the student to work full time and go to school. However on the other hand that is why online colleges are so popular because as long as you are able to learn on your own and you are very organized and able to plan out your assignments you will do very well. It really depends to be honest start meeting with the schools that you are interested in or even call and ask what the ciriculum consists of.

I went to college awhile ago so I'm sure the costs of books and food have increased since then as well as wages. Definitely make sure your schoolwork gets done first as that is why you are there in the first place. I worked part time during school both on-campus and off-campus and there are pros and cons to both.
The good thing about working on-campus at the medical school book store was how easy the "commute" was--saves a lot of time getting to and from work so you can even squeeze work in between classes if necessary. It was also a good way to meet other students and make friends. The pay was minimum range but not stressful.
Working off-campus at an electronics/computer retailer paid more and helped me gain invaluable experience in working with customers and learning the retail business. The hours were less flexible in terms of shifts were 4+ hours each. I also worked some evenings that would cut into my social activities. However, this experience helped launch my career in tech.

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

Hi Indra,

I had several jobs in college, and managed it very well. I don't recommend working the first year, or at the very least, take the first semester off to focus on school and get familiar with your new surroundings and routine. One job I had was in the school cafeteria, and that was ideal since it was right there on campus. There are usually job boards with postings, or you can ask your counselor how to go about applying for a job at the college. One other job I had was at a doctor's office, answering phones and filing. It was a great experience that I would not have had based on my chosen career path. I'm so grateful I had that opportunity. I always made school my number one priority, but found a way to balance working 8-10 hours a week as well.

Wishing you all the best!
Julie

I worked anywhere from 12-20 hours/week through college and would recommend it. On-campus jobs are a great place to start, as you'll still have the convenience of being on-campus, working with other students, etc. Most are also fairly flexible with regards to shifts and respecting your course load & schedule which will shift every quarter or semester. Among my favorite on-campus college jobs were working in the Academic Advising office, tutoring, and working as an assistant to the building & event coordinators to setup conference rooms and banquet halls for events. Possibly supplement with some virtual jobs as mentioned above and you'll have plenty to cover the cost of books, food, and culture expenses. Just make sure to leave yourself enough time to study & socialize!

Working during college can be challenging, but being organized is one way to avoid becoming overwhelmed, and you’ll find that many students work their way through school. I worked in retail initially, and got my first job by approaching companies near school/home with my resume.
Most schools have a career center though, and you may also be able to find jobs based on your interests through your social circle, on job boards, or through campus organizations you may be affiliated with. I based all of my budgeting for books and rent on the money I made from work, and what little was left over from my student loans. I got scholarships and grants as well, and those mostly covered tuition. Purchasing discounted books or renting them can also reduce costs, though I also shard certain books with friends, particularly if the newest edition was required for a class. We would buy one book and make copies of the required sections.
I would caution against taking out too many loans, if possible. It may seem like an easy method for financing your education at the time, but paying them back with interest can impact your life post- graduation. I also made extra money from playing music and other creative jobs, but the financial aspect wasn’t consistent, so I didn’t count on it. I used that money for food, and anything else that I didn’t expect, things that I didn’t think to budget for. As others have mentioned, balance really is essential. Getting your schoolwork done, enjoying your classes and involvement in college activities is critical, but everything else you do during your college years is also part of the experience. Hope this helps.

College and work is very typical these days. As long as you exercise time-management you can be successful at both work and school. You will have to put your social life on the back burner but it will pay off in the future. "Stay prepared so you won't have to get prepared"