3 answers
mazzy
Student
Mount Morris, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
1274 views
What is the best type of job to have when you enter college?
I'd like to know what the best job is to have as someone who will be a freshman in college.
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3 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi mazzy,
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
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi Mazzy - may I assume that you mean the best part-time job as a freshman in college? It would be a lot to try to be a full-time student and full-time employee so I would not recommend it. If you have to work full-time, I would recommend being a part-time student taking only one or two courses at a time.
Assuming part-time work, I don't have a specific job to recommend but suggest that you keep the following in mind:
- Work no more than 10-15 hours a week and tend toward the lower amount during freshman year while you are adjusting
- Work on-campus so you are not using valuable time and money to commute (there may be an exception in later years if there is an opportunity off-campus in your chosen field)
- See if there are jobs where you could study/read assignments in slow times, such as at a library
- If money is an issue, see if you work in food service in exchange for meals (that is what I did)
- If you have any control over your schedule (you may need some seniority for that), try to work fewer hours around exams or due dates for papers or projects
- If working is creating stress for you, reconsider what you are doing or whether you should work at all
Wishing you good luck!
US News - https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/weighing-the-pros-and-cons-of-working-while-in-college
Assuming part-time work, I don't have a specific job to recommend but suggest that you keep the following in mind:
- Work no more than 10-15 hours a week and tend toward the lower amount during freshman year while you are adjusting
- Work on-campus so you are not using valuable time and money to commute (there may be an exception in later years if there is an opportunity off-campus in your chosen field)
- See if there are jobs where you could study/read assignments in slow times, such as at a library
- If money is an issue, see if you work in food service in exchange for meals (that is what I did)
- If you have any control over your schedule (you may need some seniority for that), try to work fewer hours around exams or due dates for papers or projects
- If working is creating stress for you, reconsider what you are doing or whether you should work at all
Wishing you good luck!
Martha D. recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2397
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore any job opportunities in the college, eg library, administration, etc.
2. Check with your neighbours whether they need any help, eg baby sitting, gardening, etc.
3. Explore any working opportunities in the neighborhood, eg groceries, education centre,etc
4. Chain stores, eg supermarket, fast food shops, etc.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore any job opportunities in the college, eg library, administration, etc.
2. Check with your neighbours whether they need any help, eg baby sitting, gardening, etc.
3. Explore any working opportunities in the neighborhood, eg groceries, education centre,etc
4. Chain stores, eg supermarket, fast food shops, etc.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!