2 answers
Kathryn
Student
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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How realistic is having a job during graduate school?
I am about to start my first year as a graduate student studying textile conservation and it’s also my first big move away from home. I’m paying for everything on my own and would like to have a job if possible. What I’ve heard from others who don’t have personal experience with graduate school is that it’s unrealistic to expect to have time to work even a part time job when in graduate school full time. How true is this?
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Abby Lupi
CareerVillage.org TeamData Analyst at CareerVillage.org
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Rochester, New York
Updated
Abby’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hey Kathryn! I have a ton of friends who went to grad school and said the workload can be intense, but having a part-time job could be totally doable depending on your situation.
Since my insights mainly come from physics and engineering students, not everything will apply. However, it's super common for grad school to involve more than doing research and taking classes. You might have to take on a role as a teaching assistant or participate in department activities like speaking events, attending conferences, or mentoring for your research group. The specific duties will vary based on your program, department culture, and advisor. (For my field, it's not uncommon to work around 50 hours a week 😬) But you might have a bit more free time during your first semester!
I definitely recommend reaching out to another grad student in your program to hear about their experience. They'll give you the most accurate picture. You can find some people by searching your school on LinkedIn or finding mutual connections.
Congratulations on your acceptance, and best of luck with your degree! You got this!!
Since my insights mainly come from physics and engineering students, not everything will apply. However, it's super common for grad school to involve more than doing research and taking classes. You might have to take on a role as a teaching assistant or participate in department activities like speaking events, attending conferences, or mentoring for your research group. The specific duties will vary based on your program, department culture, and advisor. (For my field, it's not uncommon to work around 50 hours a week 😬) But you might have a bit more free time during your first semester!
I definitely recommend reaching out to another grad student in your program to hear about their experience. They'll give you the most accurate picture. You can find some people by searching your school on LinkedIn or finding mutual connections.
Congratulations on your acceptance, and best of luck with your degree! You got this!!
yoonji KIM
CareerVillage.org TeamDirector of Operations at CareerVillage.org
38
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
yoonji’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hey Kathryn! I went to grad school in DC for International Affairs, and I had a part-time paid internship the entire time I was in grad school. Most of my classmates had a job or internship. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It's hard. You'll be very busy. But it's so worth it!
As a grad school student, you have a special opportunity to maximize your time as a student. Employers are willing to take you on and give you really practical hands-on learning and work experience. You’re more likely to get informational interviews because you’re a student. Everyone wants to help you because you’re in school. Take advantage of that! It’s a really tough job market out there. Internship and job experience relevant to your major will be extremely valuable as you get close to the end of your grad school experience. You’re going to make a ton of new connections at your internship/job, and these connections will help spread the word about a new opening and their network, give you tips on your resume and interview prep, and be mentors/advisors to you.
While I was in grad school, I was interning part-time, and I still had time to be the president of a grad school club on campus and plenty of time to socialize with my classmates, club members, and workplace colleagues. You’ll just have to be hyperorganized, driven, and self-managed, which are all great skills that you will have to have in the workplace anyway. So good luck! You can do this - you got this!
As a grad school student, you have a special opportunity to maximize your time as a student. Employers are willing to take you on and give you really practical hands-on learning and work experience. You’re more likely to get informational interviews because you’re a student. Everyone wants to help you because you’re in school. Take advantage of that! It’s a really tough job market out there. Internship and job experience relevant to your major will be extremely valuable as you get close to the end of your grad school experience. You’re going to make a ton of new connections at your internship/job, and these connections will help spread the word about a new opening and their network, give you tips on your resume and interview prep, and be mentors/advisors to you.
While I was in grad school, I was interning part-time, and I still had time to be the president of a grad school club on campus and plenty of time to socialize with my classmates, club members, and workplace colleagues. You’ll just have to be hyperorganized, driven, and self-managed, which are all great skills that you will have to have in the workplace anyway. So good luck! You can do this - you got this!