4 answers
1
Question
Asked
476 views
What types of part time jobs should I take as a undergrad in college?
Is it better to try to focus on career part time jobs like internships or more of school jobs for work study, ect.
Login to comment
4 answers
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jason,
What type of job you chose as an undergraduate depends on several factors:
(1) How much time can you spend working without compromising your studies?
Having a job while in school can be great. If you have to pay for your studies yourself, it might be a plain necessity. If your parents or scholarships pay for (most of) your schooling it can give you a bit of financial freedom and "fun money". Getting work experience will also develop your soft skills and boost future job applications. But don't forget about your main "job" during undergrad: studying (and that should include projects and research and being involved in your department).
(2) How urgently do you need to make money?
If you need a job to pay for your studies and survive, you need to prioritize the pay over experiences and connections. If you can find a job that has both, excellent! But make sure you can survive.
(3) What jobs are available?
Check what kinds of jobs are even available to you at your location and for your education level. During the first 2 years of your studies, you might not yet have the knowledge to be eligible for internships or TA/RA jobs in your department.
(4) What skills can you gain from the job?
The best student jobs in terms of career development are those that count as work experience in your chosen career and give you hands-on skills and experiences. That can be jobs in your department as part of work/study, TA/RA jobs for a professor, internships or summer jobs that add to your resume. Jobs on campus have the additional advantage that they are usually flexible and you don't need to spend extra time commuting.
(4) Does the job provide useful networking opportunities?
This is similar to (3) but with a focus on the connections you can make instead of the skills you develop. If you plan to work in industry, it's important to get a foot in via internships or summer jobs and build a network of people who might hire you later or at least give you a good reference when you apply for other jobs. If you plan to get advanced degrees and/or work in academia, making contacts in academia and getting research experience as well as experience publishing and presenting are important.
How you balance those factors depends on your circumstances and preferences.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
What type of job you chose as an undergraduate depends on several factors:
(1) How much time can you spend working without compromising your studies?
Having a job while in school can be great. If you have to pay for your studies yourself, it might be a plain necessity. If your parents or scholarships pay for (most of) your schooling it can give you a bit of financial freedom and "fun money". Getting work experience will also develop your soft skills and boost future job applications. But don't forget about your main "job" during undergrad: studying (and that should include projects and research and being involved in your department).
(2) How urgently do you need to make money?
If you need a job to pay for your studies and survive, you need to prioritize the pay over experiences and connections. If you can find a job that has both, excellent! But make sure you can survive.
(3) What jobs are available?
Check what kinds of jobs are even available to you at your location and for your education level. During the first 2 years of your studies, you might not yet have the knowledge to be eligible for internships or TA/RA jobs in your department.
(4) What skills can you gain from the job?
The best student jobs in terms of career development are those that count as work experience in your chosen career and give you hands-on skills and experiences. That can be jobs in your department as part of work/study, TA/RA jobs for a professor, internships or summer jobs that add to your resume. Jobs on campus have the additional advantage that they are usually flexible and you don't need to spend extra time commuting.
(4) Does the job provide useful networking opportunities?
This is similar to (3) but with a focus on the connections you can make instead of the skills you develop. If you plan to work in industry, it's important to get a foot in via internships or summer jobs and build a network of people who might hire you later or at least give you a good reference when you apply for other jobs. If you plan to get advanced degrees and/or work in academia, making contacts in academia and getting research experience as well as experience publishing and presenting are important.
How you balance those factors depends on your circumstances and preferences.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
Deciding how to spend your limited time outside of the classroom is a big decision, and it is completely understandable to feel torn between building your resume and finding the convenience that on-campus work provides. The best choice usually depends on where you are in your college journey, as on-campus jobs and work-study positions are fantastic for underclassmen because they offer incredible flexibility around your class schedule and help you build a community right where you live. As you move into your later years, shifting your focus toward internships or part-time roles related to your major can give you a significant head start by letting you test out different career paths and build a professional network before you even graduate. A great middle ground is to look for student assistant roles within your specific academic department, which allows you to earn money while staying close to the faculty and research in your field. Ultimately, any job that teaches you time management, communication, and reliability is a win, so try to pick the option that lowers your stress while helping you feel more connected to your goals. You are asking the right questions early on, which shows just how much you care about your future success. You are going to make a great decision that fits your life perfectly right now and I wish you the best of luck.
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Jason. As an undergraduate in college, choosing the right part-time job is important for both earning money and preparing for your future career. There are two main types of jobs you can consider: career-related jobs (like internships) and school-related jobs (like work-study positions).
Career-related jobs, such as internships or part-time positions in your field of study, are valuable because they give you hands-on experience that can help you after graduation. For example, if you're studying business, getting a part-time job as a marketing assistant or data analyst will give you experience and look great on your resume. Internships often provide the chance to make connections in the industry and sometimes even lead to full-time job offers after college. These jobs are especially important if you want to gain real-world skills in your chosen career.
However, internships or career-related jobs can sometimes take up a lot of your time, which may make it harder to keep up with your studies. If you find it difficult to balance school and work, a school-related job might be a better choice. On-campus jobs, especially those part of a work-study program, are usually more flexible and fit around your class schedule. While these jobs might not give you career-specific experience, they can still help you develop important skills like communication, time management, and teamwork. For example, working in the library or as a teaching assistant is a good way to earn money while staying connected to campus life.
Another important factor is the financial side of things. If you need a steady income to support yourself, work-study jobs or other on-campus positions can provide a reliable paycheck without interfering with your classwork. These jobs are usually less demanding than internships and give you more flexibility when it comes to studying for exams or completing assignments.
All the best to you.
Career-related jobs, such as internships or part-time positions in your field of study, are valuable because they give you hands-on experience that can help you after graduation. For example, if you're studying business, getting a part-time job as a marketing assistant or data analyst will give you experience and look great on your resume. Internships often provide the chance to make connections in the industry and sometimes even lead to full-time job offers after college. These jobs are especially important if you want to gain real-world skills in your chosen career.
However, internships or career-related jobs can sometimes take up a lot of your time, which may make it harder to keep up with your studies. If you find it difficult to balance school and work, a school-related job might be a better choice. On-campus jobs, especially those part of a work-study program, are usually more flexible and fit around your class schedule. While these jobs might not give you career-specific experience, they can still help you develop important skills like communication, time management, and teamwork. For example, working in the library or as a teaching assistant is a good way to earn money while staying connected to campus life.
Another important factor is the financial side of things. If you need a steady income to support yourself, work-study jobs or other on-campus positions can provide a reliable paycheck without interfering with your classwork. These jobs are usually less demanding than internships and give you more flexibility when it comes to studying for exams or completing assignments.
All the best to you.
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi! Work study is usually something you need to qualify for and can be a great option since work study jobs are located on campus and the college / university understands that the priority is your studies.
Part-time jobs are a great option if you don't qualify for, are aren't able to get a work study position. Be sure to clearly communicate your availability to ensure your work schedule and course schedule don't conflict (be sure to take into account travel time). Depending on what career field interests you, this could also be a good way to get some entry level work experience or prepare you for entry level positions.
Internships are an amazing opportunity for career experience and are generally offered during strategic times during the year, especially summers. Some internships require applicants to be entering their Junior Year, so if you're looking for immediate opportunities this may not be the best fit. They're also full-time hours (40 hours a week). When applying, be aware that many summer internships have fall application deadlines.
Part-time jobs are a great option if you don't qualify for, are aren't able to get a work study position. Be sure to clearly communicate your availability to ensure your work schedule and course schedule don't conflict (be sure to take into account travel time). Depending on what career field interests you, this could also be a good way to get some entry level work experience or prepare you for entry level positions.
Internships are an amazing opportunity for career experience and are generally offered during strategic times during the year, especially summers. Some internships require applicants to be entering their Junior Year, so if you're looking for immediate opportunities this may not be the best fit. They're also full-time hours (40 hours a week). When applying, be aware that many summer internships have fall application deadlines.