Combining work and studies might be tricky, but it comes with major benefits. If you are wondering whether it is for you, this guide will help to make an educated decision.
Reasons to Work as a Student
For some, it might be a choice; for others – a necessity. The main reasons to seek part-time or full-time employment as a student are:
- Opportunity to cover some of the college costs;
- Gain professional experience;
- Becoming financially independent;
- Trying different careers to understand personal interests better;
- Learn more about the major based on first-hand experience in the industry.
The problem a lot of students have with this is the lack of time. College in itself is quite time-consuming. The curriculum might be loaded with lectures, seminars, and written assignments. This is particularly difficult for freshmen as they also need to adjust to a new system and environment.
As a result, students might be stressed and feel like they have no opportunity to look for a job. You might think, “Is there pay someone to write my paper while I am at the job?”. The answer is actually yes. A professional academic writing service can come to the rescue at any moment. Such a helpful platform offers writing, editing, and proofreading assistance with any type of college paper.
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This ensures you have more free time and can keep up with the coursework easily. Also, experienced writers offer advice and guidance, which allows for building essential skills for the future. You can learn from examples given by professionals with years of experience. And you can enjoy all the benefits work during college can offer.
Benefits of Working in College
Although the reasons may vary from person to person, the advantages are similar for all students in this regard.
Earning Money
There is no such thing as extra money in student life. Every dollar counts as higher education is expensive and comes with a lot of disbursements. Any additional income is good because it offers such opportunities as:
- Starting repaying student loans early;
- Paying for some of the tuition;
- Covering living costs;
- Accessing better textbooks and study resources (more powerful laptop or tablet);
- Starting saving money for the future;
- Enjoying traveling or improving your living conditions.
And the best part is that there are plenty of jobs for students with no experience. Of course, they are usually on an entry-level, but you’ve got to start somewhere.
Networking
Another immense advantage of working is getting to meet new people in the industry. This is especially useful if you are working in the same sphere you are planning to enter after graduation. But even if it is not so, any contact can be helpful.
Networking allows meeting professionals, getting advice and tips, and gaining valuable insights. You get to create and maintain professional relations and make a reputation for yourself. If you perform well, there is a chance to get the attention of managers or senior-level professionals. They might offer mentorship or other opportunities.
Professional Experience
This is one of the crucial aspects of future employment. A lot of times, employers look for someone with first-hand experience. For them, it means that you have practical skills, dedication, and motivation. It also signifies that you are good at time management and can balance life and studies with a career.
Theoretical knowledge is important, but nothing beats experience. That’s why a lot of students start to work on it in college. This ensures a competitive advantage in the job market after graduation.
It is beneficial to find a job somewhat related to your major or future job. But even if it has nothing to do with your major, you can develop soft skills that are useful for all types of positions.
Improving Transferable Skills
These are mostly soft skills that can be applied in different industries. For example, if you work in retail, you gain experience with communication, sales, and some type of financial operations. Communication is vital for almost any industry, as well as customer relations. You might not plan to work in retail after college, but you already have experience in these competencies that make you stand out as a potential employer.
Transferable skills help enhance your resume and become a better candidate for a job. Those skills could be:
- Verbal and/or written communication;
- Leadership;
- Teamwork;
- Time management;
- Problem-solving;
- Analytical thinking.
So even if a particular position doesn’t seem like a complete fit for your long-term goals, consider what type of transferable competencies you might develop there.
Learning Financial Management
For the vast majority of students, college is the first time they get to manage personal finances on their own. This can be challenging for some, and it is essential to learn it as soon as possible.
How can employment help here? You get to know more about budgeting, earning, saving, and positive practices. You also get to build your credit score earlier, which is beneficial for the future. Students get to practice saving and spending money as well as navigating various sources of income. Overall, it boosts financial literacy and offers full or partial independence in this regard.
Receiving Paid Training
Those who get a job in the field of their major might deepen their knowledge. This allows for getting better grades, building confidence, and receiving paid training on the spot. All of those are incredible opportunities. You get to grow as a professional both academically and practically, which is going to be a great advantage in the future.
In some cases, you can get essential certifications with such training without paying for them from your pocket. Or students might learn specific industry concepts and practices to develop their skills and portfolio.
In Summary
A lot of students choose to work during college because it comes with major benefits. Surely, it might be more stressful, but it also allows for building essential skills, gaining professional experience, networking, and even learning better. With an organized approach to time management, you can enjoy all the pros almost without any cons.