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Is it wise to acquire a job and actively work during College?
I'm 16 and still a Junior in High School and actively thinking about life in College. I wonder if it's a good idea to work while in college. Will it get too busy? Is there a specific year of college that might work best or is this different for everyone?
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6 answers
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Thomas’s Answer
Hello Justin!
Just know that you have options, when the time comes. Make your studies a priority! Plenty of universities and/or colleges offer part-time employment opportunities! You can be a referee for the school's intramural league. You can be a barista or server at your local cafe. You can find a desk job or receptionist position on or near campus. Any of these positions can provide valuable experience, a good social environment, and a flexible schedule that will allow you to balance everything.
I recommend staying around 20 work hours a week. But if you are taking less credit hours, you can work more if you would like. Most importantly, every student's situation is different. Many have funding for housing and only need to focus on studies. Many don't have funding and have to work to make ends meet; on top of their studies. Regardless, it is good to have a small flow of income! I highly recommend taking on the challenge of gaining work (or volunteer) experience while you are in school.
Again, every student's situation is different. I recommend working a little more your freshman and sophomore years (if that is something you will want to take on). Your junior and senior years, you will have more challenging coursework to complete that will be related to your degree of choice. Exams will take a little longer to prepare for. There will be more homework assignments related to your specialization. So it will be best to spend more time focusing on school than work!
Ultimately, work will be work and school will be school! You will learn a lot. You will have fun. And you will be successful!
Good luck!
TR
Just know that you have options, when the time comes. Make your studies a priority! Plenty of universities and/or colleges offer part-time employment opportunities! You can be a referee for the school's intramural league. You can be a barista or server at your local cafe. You can find a desk job or receptionist position on or near campus. Any of these positions can provide valuable experience, a good social environment, and a flexible schedule that will allow you to balance everything.
I recommend staying around 20 work hours a week. But if you are taking less credit hours, you can work more if you would like. Most importantly, every student's situation is different. Many have funding for housing and only need to focus on studies. Many don't have funding and have to work to make ends meet; on top of their studies. Regardless, it is good to have a small flow of income! I highly recommend taking on the challenge of gaining work (or volunteer) experience while you are in school.
Again, every student's situation is different. I recommend working a little more your freshman and sophomore years (if that is something you will want to take on). Your junior and senior years, you will have more challenging coursework to complete that will be related to your degree of choice. Exams will take a little longer to prepare for. There will be more homework assignments related to your specialization. So it will be best to spend more time focusing on school than work!
Ultimately, work will be work and school will be school! You will learn a lot. You will have fun. And you will be successful!
Good luck!
TR
Updated
Isaiah’s Answer
In my opinion this question changes depending on each student's personal life and what works for them. Some people need to work to make it through college and others may be able to have more support from family or scholarships etc. I think working either part time or in the summer at the least is good for students because it helps you learn how to manage your time and prepares you for life after school. It can be a big adjustment going from never working a job to doing 40 hours a week, so getting in a little experience is definitely a good idea and doesn't hurt having on your resume either!
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Having a job not only builds skills but also helps you to build relationships while gaining experience. If you haven't had a job yet, now would be a great time to start doing something part-time, and if that isn't possible, try volunteering. When you enter college, you will need to figure out your schedule to see how much time you have for working and/or volunteering. Time management will be key. Create a plan and see where it takes you.
With every good wish.
With every good wish.
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Justin,
You ask a couple very important questions, and I love how you are thinking ahead. Let me see if I can find some wise words for you.
During your first year of college, you are going to be learning more than just school work. You are going to be learning college life, campus life, adult life. I would suggest that you not work during the first year, unless you really financially need to. Give yourself the opportunity to see what the process of college is all about. Figure out the book store, the dining hall(s), final exams, grading systems, group projects, professor office hours, library resources, study hours, dorm life, etc. If you have the summer off, get a job. Keep yourself busy, set aside money for extras at school or to offset the cost of books, food, etc.
During your second & third year, you should be working, but not a full-time career type job (again, unless you really need to financially). You should have work doing something that allows you to be set in your hours, so they are not calling you in when you are in class or needing to be dealing with group projects, etc. You need to be able to control the schedule of your work, so that your schooling comes first. School does come first, grades are important, making contacts is important.
During your fourth year, you should be doing an internship in your area of study. This is where you will be making work contacts for references, for work skill building and enhancing. This is where you are focusing on being offered a job where you are doing your internship if possible or at least getting some great references and contacts for employment upon graduation. If you have worked hard at your classes during your first three years, you should be down to your last upper level courses and should have some spare time to work a side gig. Again, this is the year to do your internship and get that career path figured out, so you possibly have your job figured out by the time you graduate. Then, when you graduate, you can settle into a regular job hours and not have to worry about side jobs, etc.
Does this help?
You ask a couple very important questions, and I love how you are thinking ahead. Let me see if I can find some wise words for you.
During your first year of college, you are going to be learning more than just school work. You are going to be learning college life, campus life, adult life. I would suggest that you not work during the first year, unless you really financially need to. Give yourself the opportunity to see what the process of college is all about. Figure out the book store, the dining hall(s), final exams, grading systems, group projects, professor office hours, library resources, study hours, dorm life, etc. If you have the summer off, get a job. Keep yourself busy, set aside money for extras at school or to offset the cost of books, food, etc.
During your second & third year, you should be working, but not a full-time career type job (again, unless you really need to financially). You should have work doing something that allows you to be set in your hours, so they are not calling you in when you are in class or needing to be dealing with group projects, etc. You need to be able to control the schedule of your work, so that your schooling comes first. School does come first, grades are important, making contacts is important.
During your fourth year, you should be doing an internship in your area of study. This is where you will be making work contacts for references, for work skill building and enhancing. This is where you are focusing on being offered a job where you are doing your internship if possible or at least getting some great references and contacts for employment upon graduation. If you have worked hard at your classes during your first three years, you should be down to your last upper level courses and should have some spare time to work a side gig. Again, this is the year to do your internship and get that career path figured out, so you possibly have your job figured out by the time you graduate. Then, when you graduate, you can settle into a regular job hours and not have to worry about side jobs, etc.
Does this help?
Updated
Tania’s Answer
Hey Justin! I thought it might be helpful to share a bit about my own journey through college, just to give you an idea of what it might be like. During my first year, I really concentrated on my studies and getting the hang of the whole college lifestyle. Then, at the beginning of my second year, I picked up a part-time job and worked on campus for the rest of my time in college, about 19 hours each week.
I also managed to squeeze in three summer internships at various companies. Through these on-campus roles as a research assistant and undergraduate assistant, I was able to develop a bunch of skills that later helped me land those internships.
I found that working while studying was not just a way to earn some money for my expenses, but also a great opportunity to make connections and grow professionally. When you start college, take a moment to see if you have the time and the drive to work while you study. It's not a path that suits everyone, but for me, it was totally worth it. Best of luck to you!
I also managed to squeeze in three summer internships at various companies. Through these on-campus roles as a research assistant and undergraduate assistant, I was able to develop a bunch of skills that later helped me land those internships.
I found that working while studying was not just a way to earn some money for my expenses, but also a great opportunity to make connections and grow professionally. When you start college, take a moment to see if you have the time and the drive to work while you study. It's not a path that suits everyone, but for me, it was totally worth it. Best of luck to you!
Updated
Hana’s Answer
Hi Justin! I've been working since high school and I think it helped me in the long run a lot. I worked at Staples, Chick-Fil-A, and in college I worked in campus recreation renting out canoes and kayaks to other students at FSU's lakefront property. I would highly recommend mend at least trying out having a job during college. It looks great on your resume and it might help you figure out what kind of work you like to do.