For many college students, working a job and going to school go hand in hand. As someone who has worked off and on throughout my college experience, I can say there are many differences between simply having school to focus on and keeping up with classes while working a job on the side. Balancing it all can be challenging, but also rewarding because both college and work offer wonderful opportunities for personal growth as well as reaching career goals.
Going to college is a job in and of itself! Taking twelve units is widely considered to be the minimum for full-time students and add a job on top of that? It can definitely feel like there is no time for anything else. Proper time management is essential when you have a job in college and can be distinct for each individual student. This does not have to be a bad thing, though. Having a job helps a lot with keeping a routine and set schedule.
Even with good time management skills, it’s important to prioritize certain responsibilities and adjust schedules accordingly. Education is a number one priority for most full-time students but sometimes jobs can come in the way, especially when they are off campus. The good thing is there are plenty of options to choose from when looking for a job in the first place. College students in the United States can look into if their school has a work-study program or apply to jobs available directly on campus through resources such as Handshake.
There are obvious benefits to having a job alongside being a university student. Making money is a clear positive and a necessity for numerous students. Additionally, it exposes students to what it’s like to be in a work environment and interact with people of all backgrounds. I know I personally have grown from my work and school experiences and can say confidently that it is absolutely doable to do both successfully.