For many people, college is a significant step. For students who start college straight after high school, the transition from living at home to living on campus frequently entails taking responsibility for their food, academics, and personal well-being. Should You Get a Job in College? those adjustments might be a lot to handle. While working while in college can help pay for things and teach responsibility and life skills, some students find that balancing educational requirements with a job is too much for them.
Having a job in college, believe it or not, has been shown to impact your GPA positively. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, students who worked 20 hours a week (or fewer) had higher GPAs than those who didn’t work at all, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics! So work ethic is rewarded in more ways than one.
Should You Get a Job in College?
1. Are you capable of managing student loans?
Student loans can be burdensome, and being unable or unwilling to repay them is one of the reasons why some students decide not to continue their education. You may not need to work while in college if you believe you will thrive in education by taking out student loans and are confident that you will repay the money once you graduate. If you find a job, though, you may be able to take out fewer loans or avoid them altogether. Working instead of taking out loans can be a wise approach to ensure a smoother transition into your new employment after graduation.
2. Need extra money for other things?
You will have to pay for books in addition to tuition and housing and board, and you may wish to spend money on clothes and hobbies. Unless your parents cover all of your expenses, you’ll most likely need to work. A part-time job might provide you with the extra cash that many college students desire. Federal Work-Study positions might be an excellent option because they are often exciting and conveniently located on campus.
On the other hand, depending on how much money you spend, you might be able to save enough for each school year by working over the summer, in which case a part-time job would take away from your other college activities unnecessarily.
3. Will getting a job help you advance in your career?
Even if you don’t require additional funds, working can help you prepare for your future career. If you can find work in your sector, you will be able to learn more about your chosen profession while simultaneously building your resume. You may also make valuable industry contacts, particularly true if you finish an internship.
Even if your part-time employment has nothing to do with your future career, it will teach you vital work and social skills that will put you ahead of the competition when you apply for jobs after college. In addition, many employers would prefer to see work experience that isn’t connected to your field than no experience at all.
4. Is it academically feasible?
Even if you wish to save money or work full-time (or part-time) to avoid student loans, you must examine whether you can balance your classes and job. College is complex, and some degrees require more effort than others.
It’s a good idea to hold off on finding a job until you’ve completed at least your first semester, so you know how much time you’ll need to succeed in school. After that, prioritizing a job over education is a poor financial decision and a waste of time; the exception is returning to college and already having a profession and a full-time job. According to University Language Services, there are various ways to manage employment and study. Three crucial strategies are organizing, prioritizing study time, and sleeping.
5. Will you be able to participate in activities if you work?
College is supposed to be a learning opportunity. It’s especially crucial to leave time to explore and get to know yourself if you’re living on campus and starting classes directly out of high school. While finding a job can be beneficial in terms of developing your skills, you don’t have to go out and get one right now.
Allow yourself time to develop friends, join clubs and hobbies, and figure out if you’re on the right track professionally. You’ll probably never have another opportunity like this in your life, so take advantage of your independence and lack of duties while you still can.
