Working while in school: is it worth the effort?

There are dozens of ways to pay for a college education: scholarships, student loans, federal grants, and work. Definitely the best way to pay for your education is through the scholarships you earned before you set foot on campus, but not all of us are so lucky. But even if you’re that lucky… you might want to consider getting a job anyway, but more on that later.

Scholarships

One of the biggest surprises I found while working on my degree was that through good grades I was able to obtain a scholarship from the University. This is common at universities across the country, but is rarely publicized. Contact your financial aid office to see what is available at your school. Once I found out about scholarships (I didn’t get any in high school, I went to college) I worked hard to get good grades. After good grades my first year, I was awarded a full tuition scholarship for my sophomore year. My grades dropped, but I still received at least half my tuition for my next three years of school.

Half-time job

With amazing tuition prices, most students are expected to work at least a few hours each week so they don’t have to rely solely on student loans or mom and dad’s bank account. Working part-time allows you to: Hone the time-management skills necessary for academic success, reduce your need for student loans and resulting debt, and gain career-related experience as you clarify goals, gain skills, and confidence in yourself, and build a network of contacts. There has been some debate about how many students should work, but there seems to be a general consensus that on-campus jobs of 20 hours a week or less seem like a good idea. Studies show that students who work up to 30 hours a week perform as well or even better academically than those who don’t. Working only 12-15 hours a week (as most students do) shouldn’t affect your grades.

US News wrote an interesting article showing the other benefits of working while in school. Chief among the listed benefits is the professional experience you could gain.

working on campus

One of the best ways to pay for school is by working for the school. Studies show that students who work on campus are more likely to stick with their studies. Through your work, you will become better acquainted with faculty, staff, and other students. There are hundreds of jobs available to students at most universities, and many of these jobs will open doors for you and your future career. Look for jobs in laboratories or other areas that give you experience in your chosen career path. You should also try to find a job that gives you time with a potential mentor, preferably a professor in your area of ​​study. The more time you can spend with those who are working in your field, the better: they can help guide you in making important decisions about your education and career. If you can’t get your “dream job” right away, don’t be discouraged. Get another job and start networking… things always seem to open up if you look hard enough.

Summer job

I don’t understand why so many students go home for the summer, but they do. You may want to consider staying…do the impossible to get jobs on campus and you can be there to snatch them. Summer school is also a great way to get ahead, and scholarships and other financial aid are often easier to get for the summer term. Use the summer months to work hard and opportunities to climb major ladders are bound to appear. Take advantage of all the resources that are available to you: teachers and other mentors, labs, clubs, etc. During the summer it is much easier to take advantage of people and places as the traffic and demand for these things is significantly lower.

Internships

Another really smart thing to do over the summer is take advantage of an internship. These will get you out into the community and provide you with invaluable work experience. Get an early start looking for these opportunities – talk to faculty advisors, counselors, and check the web for potential opportunities.

Regardless of what you decide to do, try to pay for as much education as possible now. Student loans seem to suck the lifeblood out of many, and extreme debt is an easy trap to fall into. With all the benefits of working, even if it’s just a few hours a week, it makes a lot more sense to get a job and work your way up.

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