7 answers
Danica
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
7
Questions
Asked
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Did you have a job during College?
How many credits were you taking while working?
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7 answers
Taylor Lemieux, MBA
Consultant
6
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Danica! During my undergraduate program, I worked part time in continuation of a summer internship. I only worked 2 days per work (8 hour shifts). Luckily, the employer understood I was a student and was flexible. At the end, academics should be the focus so roles that are flexible are always a bonus, or where you can work on your own time (e.g, a few hours here and there, remote work).
During my graduate program, I worked in on-campus jobs, specifically admissions offices. Such roles are built for students so they are flexible with time. I would recommend these types of roles. They also provide an opportunity to get more familiar with the school and meet other members of the academic community! Depending on your school, they will probably have some from on student employment portal or job posting board for you to utilize as a student.
During my graduate program, I worked in on-campus jobs, specifically admissions offices. Such roles are built for students so they are flexible with time. I would recommend these types of roles. They also provide an opportunity to get more familiar with the school and meet other members of the academic community! Depending on your school, they will probably have some from on student employment portal or job posting board for you to utilize as a student.
Joya Bryant-Gibson
Manager, Services Presales
1
Answer
Anderson, South Carolina
Updated
Joya’s Answer
Hi Danica,
You ask a good question. Working while a student is really individual. You have to be self aware enough to know what you can handle. I worked while in high school and worked during my time in college. A good way for me to test how I do on my time management for studying and working was getting a work study job my Freshman year. There are boundaries around how many hours a student can work. If you can manage your time well and maintain the grades you want, then you know that you can handle some kind of work for income while going to school. It is a good opportunity to look for paid summer internships in the field you want to study. My company has paid internship programs. This way you can work in the summer to save up so that you don't have to work during your school quarters or semesters.
I started out working 20 hours per week Freshman year at 12 to 15 credit hours. By the time of my senior year, I had 3 jobs and carrying 25 credit hours to finish two degrees at the same time. This is NOT recommended. Pace yourself and plan. Be realistic. I came from a single parent household so there was not a 529 college savings plan. I did have to work my way through college with jobs, grants and loans.
You ask a good question. Working while a student is really individual. You have to be self aware enough to know what you can handle. I worked while in high school and worked during my time in college. A good way for me to test how I do on my time management for studying and working was getting a work study job my Freshman year. There are boundaries around how many hours a student can work. If you can manage your time well and maintain the grades you want, then you know that you can handle some kind of work for income while going to school. It is a good opportunity to look for paid summer internships in the field you want to study. My company has paid internship programs. This way you can work in the summer to save up so that you don't have to work during your school quarters or semesters.
I started out working 20 hours per week Freshman year at 12 to 15 credit hours. By the time of my senior year, I had 3 jobs and carrying 25 credit hours to finish two degrees at the same time. This is NOT recommended. Pace yourself and plan. Be realistic. I came from a single parent household so there was not a 529 college savings plan. I did have to work my way through college with jobs, grants and loans.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3907
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Danica!
Indeed, I tutored high school students in STEM subjects. Back in 1975, I was earning ten dollars per hour for my services.
May you be abundantly blessed,
James.
Indeed, I tutored high school students in STEM subjects. Back in 1975, I was earning ten dollars per hour for my services.
May you be abundantly blessed,
James.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Danica - this is a great question. I didn't work during my first semester, but did work about 10-12 hours per week every semester after that. My university measured workload by courses and I took four or five, which was considered normal, per semester.
I encouraged my children to do the same, and this is why. My parents were already paying a lot for college, so I wanted to earn my own money for extras. Working in the student center provided a nice contrast to the heavy brainwork I was doing in my studies. The extra structure helped me plan my days and focus during my study times. Finally, I learned some homespun wisdom from my full-time co-workers and appreciated their looking out for me.
I infer that you are asking about balancing work and academics, which sometimes was tricky to balance. My general rule (and my children's, too) was not to commit to a shift unless I was confident I could follow through. When my academics demanded it - such as around finals - I arranged for fewer hours. Bear in mind that some jobs, such as in the libraries, allowed students to study while there.
Good luck!
I encouraged my children to do the same, and this is why. My parents were already paying a lot for college, so I wanted to earn my own money for extras. Working in the student center provided a nice contrast to the heavy brainwork I was doing in my studies. The extra structure helped me plan my days and focus during my study times. Finally, I learned some homespun wisdom from my full-time co-workers and appreciated their looking out for me.
I infer that you are asking about balancing work and academics, which sometimes was tricky to balance. My general rule (and my children's, too) was not to commit to a shift unless I was confident I could follow through. When my academics demanded it - such as around finals - I arranged for fewer hours. Bear in mind that some jobs, such as in the libraries, allowed students to study while there.
Good luck!
Celeste Dyrbye-Wright
back-end software development
10
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Celeste’s Answer
Hi Danica,
I was struggling with a lot of mental health challenges in college, so I chose to take my limited free time for self care. I worked as an intern during my last year at college after a summer internship went really well, but that was it. Honestly, i would say the decision about having a job comes down to primarily three questions:
1) do you need the money? -- if you need to pay back loans or have enough money for necessities, then you don't really have a choice. try to at least get a job you don't hate. I recommend some on-campus opportunity like working in the library, because some programs allow credits to be accumulated via on-campus jobs for those who qualify.
2) do you have enough energy and bandwidth to go to class, study, and work? -- for this, I would suggest spending at least your first semester/quarter/trimester without a job and see how it goes. If you decide that adding a job would not hinder your mental health, and may possibly help it (by choosing to do something meaningful/enjoyable to you ), then you can always try it.
3) Is there a job opportunity that you find exciting / valuable (this could be tutoring, or working in a lab, or coffee shops (i love coffee), whatever you like)-- and it's in the line of work you'd like to do after college, or would be a good resume builder, I'd say go for it. My little sister works in a lab after she was given an incredible opportunity to work under a winner of a Nobel prize. She makes it work, although she is quite busy. My twin worked as a tutor and then as an EMT during college. Tutoring is a great way to solidify your own understanding of concepts, and grow your resume while training as an EMT is a good way to prepare for a medical degree of some kind.
Whatever decision you make, just remember: school is always the number 1 priority.
I was struggling with a lot of mental health challenges in college, so I chose to take my limited free time for self care. I worked as an intern during my last year at college after a summer internship went really well, but that was it. Honestly, i would say the decision about having a job comes down to primarily three questions:
1) do you need the money? -- if you need to pay back loans or have enough money for necessities, then you don't really have a choice. try to at least get a job you don't hate. I recommend some on-campus opportunity like working in the library, because some programs allow credits to be accumulated via on-campus jobs for those who qualify.
2) do you have enough energy and bandwidth to go to class, study, and work? -- for this, I would suggest spending at least your first semester/quarter/trimester without a job and see how it goes. If you decide that adding a job would not hinder your mental health, and may possibly help it (by choosing to do something meaningful/enjoyable to you ), then you can always try it.
3) Is there a job opportunity that you find exciting / valuable (this could be tutoring, or working in a lab, or coffee shops (i love coffee), whatever you like)-- and it's in the line of work you'd like to do after college, or would be a good resume builder, I'd say go for it. My little sister works in a lab after she was given an incredible opportunity to work under a winner of a Nobel prize. She makes it work, although she is quite busy. My twin worked as a tutor and then as an EMT during college. Tutoring is a great way to solidify your own understanding of concepts, and grow your resume while training as an EMT is a good way to prepare for a medical degree of some kind.
Whatever decision you make, just remember: school is always the number 1 priority.
Edgar Ramirez
Marketing
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Edgar’s Answer
Hi Danica,
When I was in college I worked as an elementary school tutor (about 10-12 hrs/week) through the work-study program provided by my school. The beauty of this program is its flexibility, designed to accommodate the hectic schedules of students. You can work in the schools library, cafeteria, admissions office, etc. If you are trying to work while in school, it is important to have a job that will be flexible with your school schedule. Remember, your primary focus should be your education, and you certainly don't want your grades to suffer due to work commitments.
When I was in college I worked as an elementary school tutor (about 10-12 hrs/week) through the work-study program provided by my school. The beauty of this program is its flexibility, designed to accommodate the hectic schedules of students. You can work in the schools library, cafeteria, admissions office, etc. If you are trying to work while in school, it is important to have a job that will be flexible with your school schedule. Remember, your primary focus should be your education, and you certainly don't want your grades to suffer due to work commitments.
Emily Pepper
Financial Analyst
4
Answers
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Yes! I was a teaching assistant for an intro class. At the time, I was taking around 15 credits. This was a great job because it just felt like another class, so that is what I treated it as. The hours were the same each week and the professor realized if I had class during something if the hours changed for a week. During office hours if no one was there, I could do my homework. It's also great because everything is on campus, so you don't have to go far. I highly recommend getting a TA position if you can!