Why College Students Should Consider Getting a Part-Time Job?

Why College Students Should Consider Getting a Part-Time Job
Deciding whether or not you will get a part time job throughout college is one of the most important decisions that you will have to make. It will affect your productivity as a student as well as impact your social life. However, having a part-time job can bring a lot of benefits as well. Read on to find out why you should consider working during undergrad and how it can benefit your career and personal brand.
(Some) Financial Freedom

Okay, wages from a part-time job won't exactly pay for your tuition, but it can certainly help take care of other things. Some of the expenses that you will have while in college are rent, food, books, study materials, clothes, and of course your nights out. Earning some money while you're in school can help give you some extra spending money for the short-term and also can ease the burden of paying for your student loans in the future.

Learning the Value of Time Management

It could be a bit difficult to juggle your time between studying, your friends and family, and work, but it's good to get used to it as this is pretty much how it's going to be for the next 30 or so years! It is important for you to learn how to manage your time early on so you won't have as much trouble after you graduate. Learning how to effectively manage your time while in college will help you as you progress in your career.

Bonus Points from Future Employers

While most part-time jobs for college students are limited to positions in food chains and retail stores, this doesn't mean that they aren't worth putting on your resume. Putting a record of your previous employment on your resume will let employers know that you are hard working, take initiative and have an interest in professional development. They will recognize the fact that you know the value of work and how to prioritize, simply because you were able and willing to spend college as a working student. This will give you an edge over other applicants because employers will see that you have work ethic and can be a valuable asset to their company because of already gained skills.

Start Building Your Professional Network

Working as a part-time barista or as a cashier at a fast food restaurant will allow you to meet new people on a regular basis. Communicating with them informally while at work is a great way to start building your professional network. Never underestimate the importance of having the right connections when it comes to finding a full-time job after your graduate. People you have short conversations and small talk with can refer you to people they know who work in your targeted industry that you are gearing up to break into. You never know, that customer that you regularly serve coffee to might just be the person that can help you jump-start your career!

Form Lasting Friendships

Of course college is full of new people to meet, but, breaking outside of the college bubble can really have its benefits. The people that you meet outside of the classroom are often the ones that you will want to keep in touch with after you leave school. If you have a part-time job, you will get to meet different people then the ones in your classes such as locals or students from other social circles. Locals can give you some tips on the area while students you meet outside of the classroom can open you up to different crowds. You can share stories about other things in your life besides school with these friends. Let's face it, do you really want to hang out with someone whom you can only talk about school stuff with?