The beauty of higher education is that it often leaves those pursuing it with enough time to balance their studies with part-time work. Whilst meeting deadlines and completing coursework should always be your priority, and it’s vital that you don’t take on too much and burn yourself out, there are indeed a number of reasons why it’s well worth considering applying for a job to supplement your education.
Extra income
Perhaps the most obvious draw of a part-time job is that it would provide you with a very welcome additional income. The more you’re earning in your own right, the less you will likely need to borrow from student loan companies or your parents, etc., and therefore the less debt you will accrue throughout your time at university.
Independence
The sooner you’re earning and handling your own money, the sooner you can start to feel financially independent, which can be a very empowering and rewarding feeling. It’s also likely to grant you with a greater appreciation of the money itself, as you know exactly where it came from, thus making you less tempted to give in to too much frivolous spending, which can be a very tempting part of the student life.
Handy discounts
It’s worth taking the time to think about what your favourite shops are and where the majority of your expendable income goes, because if you can get a job working there, the possibility of a staff discount could go a long way towards saving you some serious cash over the years of your studies.
A boost to your CV
Finding the initiative, motivation and commitment to hold down a regular job whilst also completing a degree looks great to prospective future employers, filling up your CV and proving that you’re not daunted by the prospect of hard work. The various skills you will learn in terms of working in a team, dealing with customers and suchlike will also undoubtedly come in handy later down the line.
A wider social circle
Particularly in the latter part of your studies, the cycle of lectures, essay writing, reading and revising can become completely engrossing, making it all too easy to get stuck in a rut and become a slave to the library. Having something regular like a job to break up the monotony can be an excellent way to maintain a healthier balance in your day-to-day life by widening your social circle and providing much needed distraction.
A foot in the door
The ideal solution would be to find an entry-level job in an area that interests you and is relevant to your studies; like a receptionist for a law firm if you’re studying to be a lawyer, or working in a bookshop if you’re studying publishing or literature, and so on. Not only does this mean you’re more likely to enjoy the work, but it can also be a highly efficient way to gain direct experience in the field you’re passionate about and perhaps even make contacts that could serve you well once you’ve graduated and are looking to break into the industry full-time.
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