The Benefits Of Having A Part-Time Job In College

By Elana Goodwin on August 27, 2016

Keeping up with schoolwork, taking advantage of the many campus events and available opportunities, and having a social life make college a busy time.

But having a part-time job during school actually has tremendous benefits, both immediately and for the future, even if you find your time may be spread a little thinner. Here are some reasons why you should consider and pursue a part-time job in college.

Photo Credit: Pexels.com

Time Management. When you have a part-time job in college, it forces you to learn time management. Since you have less free time than other students, you’ll have to be wiser in how you spend the time you do have. You’ll end up being better at scheduling your time and disciplining yourself in order to get done everything you have to get done in the lesser free time you have while still being able to have time to hang with friends and just chill.

By having a part-time job, you’ll learn to weigh priorities and not put things off and procrastinate until the night before. You will have to juggle not only meeting deadlines at work, but staying on top of deadlines for school, making you that much more responsible and better at multi-tasking.

In fact, though it may seem counter-intuitive, students with part-time jobs will often see grades improve as you’re forced to manage your time better and be more productive and efficient.

Work Experience. Future employers will be that much more impressed with your resume if you have what to put on your resume — and I don’t just mean high school accomplishments. Having a part-time job in college will enable you to start networking and gaining valuable contacts, mentors, and recommendations that will be useful later. You’ll learn valuable skills, such as how to be part of a team, how to juggle duties, and more, and be more mature and responsible for the work experience.

Additionally, working at a company during college may pave the way for you to have a summer internship or full-time summer job at the business or even lead to a job offer after graduation, especially if it’s at an organization in your field that will put your degree to good use. So not only does having a part-time job in school show potential employers that you’re able to handle having a lot on your plate, but it may actually put you ahead of other applicants in the future as you have office skills and past work experience.

Extra Money. Of course, one of the most obvious benefits of having a part-time job during college is the money. With part-time employment, you’ll be earning an income, which is sure to come in handy. Even if your parents are helping pay or paying for all of your school or you are covered by scholarships, grants, and/or loans, having some extra cash and learning responsibility never hurt anyone.

If you’re paying much or all of your own way at school or contributing to the coverage of costs, having a part-time job will allow you to help pay rent and tuition, buy textbooks, food, and other supplies — or even start paying back your student loans early.

Plus, if you’re making your own money, you’ll be free to indulge every once in a while and pay for other non-crucial expenses at your leisure. Basically, having a part-time job in school will give you some wiggle room around living out the “broke college student” lifestyle.

Money Management. Since you’re making your own money, you’re more likely to be careful in how you spend it, so having a part-time job will also teach you money management skills and how to budget. You’ll start learning how to manage your money and what’s a necessity or worth splurging on, and what’s not worth forking over your hard-earned cash for.

You’ll be less likely to indulge in frivolous things and instead indulge in worthwhile activities or items. Knowing how to budget will definitely help you in the future, but it may also be useful at school when you’re grocery shopping, looking at buying textbooks, or figuring out spring break plans.

Other Skills. There are a lot of other less clear skills you’ll get out of having a part-time job in school. For example, you’ll learn commitment, teamwork, leadership, independence, and organization from pretty much any position you might hold as your part-time job.

Additionally, depending on where you’re employed and the type of role you’ll play, you may pick up computer skills, customer service experience, administrative abilities, and more, which will be beneficial.

All in all, there are numerous benefits to having a part-time job in college — so when you first arrive or return back to college, consider looking into what kind of part-time employment is available near your school, and start adding to your resume.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format