Find your perfect college degree
A strong resumé highlights your work experience on top of your extracurriculars in college.
You might think that earning a degree and gaining job experience at the same time is overwhelming. You might think investing in both activities can be time-consuming and can later lead to problems like underachievement and stress.
The truth is, so many students have busted these myths! If you have set a clear goal and you have proper time management skills, it won’t be a struggle to integrate both your studies and work into your schedule.
Why Work While You Study
Working while going to school is a good idea for numerous reasons. Here are some of the most common ones.
With experience, securing a job after college becomes easier.
Having relevant job experience will immensely be to your advantage, especially when you start to look for jobs after graduation. Most employers will look for enthusiasm, dedication, and a record of your experience in the field. The more relevant experience and achievements you add to your resumé, the more likely you will get the attention of employers and become a potential candidate for a position.
Practice will make you perfect and add to your academic skills and knowledge.
To stand out in your chosen profession, you must be actively involved in it. Gaining relevant work experience during college will help you apply the things you learned in class to specific situations on the job.
You get to decide whether or not you will love working in a particular field.
Getting a job will help you evaluate if the career path you chose will satisfy you and meet your expectations. If you end up disappointed, you can try to change your study plan and adjust new goals before it becomes too late and you will end up getting stuck in a job you don’t love in the first place.
Your grades might improve when you have work.
Some students say working during college can help hone your time management skills. This helps you to easily keep up with your class, your homework, and your job. There is also very little room to party or procrastinate, which will significantly help you focus on what’s important- studying.
This will only work for students working 20 hours a week or less. Students working full-time tend to have lower grades and poorer performance than their peers.
How to Gain Relevant Experience as a College Student
Many students assume at first assume that finding a job during college is next to impossible. Yes, it seems tough because you need to juggle between your classes and work schedules, but it is totally doable!
Most of the time, students become disappointed when thinking about what they will put on their resumé because they have not done anything other than taking classes in college. Here are 5 of the best ways students will gain relevant work experience while in school.
Internship
An internship is a short-term opportunity for college students to gain entry-level work experience. Internships are often a requirement in college courses and are considered professional training breaks for significant career-related experience.
Internships are generally structured and well-supervised with a defined goal. They can either be part-time or full-time. Part-time placements take place within a school year, while full-time internships during summer.
What are the advantages of an internship?
- Practical, hands-on experience
- A plus for graduate program applicants
- The right exposure for networking purposes
- Potential career opportunity and long-term success
On-Campus Employment
Working on-campus is a great option for college students who need to improve their time management skills. Balancing between school and work is challenging enough, but when you start to fit a regular commute into your regular schedule, it can be so overwhelming. Getting a job near your school is a perfect way to deal with the issue.
What are the advantages of on-campus employment?
- Gain experience and earn within a familiar, comfortable environment
- Support from professors, mentors, and fellow students
- Opportunities to establish a strong professional network in the academe
If you demonstrate financial need, you can apply for Work-Study options that often include on-campus jobs.
Part-Time Jobs
Part-time work is popular among college students! They allow you to have a steady income and fixed hours while sticking to your class schedules. To find the perfect part-time work, use popular search tools and resources such as job sites and social media platforms.
What are the advantages of getting part-time jobs?
- Hands-on experience in actual companies and organizations
- Networking possibilities
- Cultivates time management skills
Undergraduate Research
Mostly applicable to Science majors, undergraduate research involves assisting your professor or a research group with research work. Most active research groups obtain discretionary funds through research grants.
As this type of opportunity for work and experience isn’t posted on the job vacancy board, you should ask the college department for such a need. It is a demanding type of job and involves a lot of paperwork. If you are engaged, interested, and intelligent, you might just get an opportunity!
What are the advantages of doing undergraduate research work?
- The work is on campus.
- Offers opportunities to become part of a research team
- Time management and research skills are put to the test
Independent Study or Volunteer Opportunities
If you can’t secure an appropriate paid position, try independent study or volunteer opportunities that will count toward your work experience. For example, if you live in a small town with limited employment opportunities, find ways that will demonstrate the qualities most employers seek—organizational skills, punctuality, commitment, honesty, and more.
Find regular volunteer opportunities that follow a steady schedule, ideally in a field relevant to your college major. Following a consistent schedule will show your future employers that you are trustworthy.
Your supervisor may also use this to evaluate you for an extended period, which will eventually lead to positive letters of recommendation.
What are the advantages of independent study or volunteer work?
- Hands-on experience relevant to your field
- Networking opportunities