In 2015, Georgetown University Center on Education released a 25-year report about students working while in college. The report indicated that over the past 25 years, 70% of students were working during their time of varsity study.
Working while studying not only earns you money, but it also allows you to gain relevant experience potentially for your future career path. After post-graduation, many employers are looking for graduates who have developed a set of professional skills while in a working environment. Even a simple task, such as offering homework help, can help in improving your social skills.
Before looking for a job while in college, you should consider looking into the pros and cons of working in a job during college time.
Pros of Having a Job While in College
1. Income Earning
Whether a student works for a few hours a week or is employed full time, having an income can help ease some of their financial burdens. They can also use the money to pay rent in their hostels, purchase essential supplies for school work, or even to save.
As for the non-traditional students, they might be working out of necessity. They have families to support and everyday bills to pay. That is why many non-traditional students opt to continue with their jobs while pursuing their degrees.
2. Less Student Debt After Graduation
Earning some income can help in paying off some of the tuition bills, thus reducing the pressure to apply for more student loans. Who would want to be struggling with a huge student loan debt years after graduating?
Most former pupils burdened by college loans regret having not worked during their college years. Some have accumulated debts worth tens of thousands of dollars plus a massive interest accumulation due to lateness in payments.
3. Mastery of Time Management
Time management is an essential soft skill in any working environment. By balancing your studies with work, you'll be mastering a critical skill replicable in any other industry you wish to work in the future.
Use the courses' syllabus and deadlines provided at the beginning of the semester to plan out your day. Remember to dedicate enough time to working on the given assignment and also reading so that you are not behind on classwork.
4. Grade Booster
Grade boosting might be hard to believe, but studies are indicating the potential positive impact a job has towards a GPA. According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, students working about 20 hours a week had higher GPAs compared to those who didn't have a job at all.
5. Expands your Professional Circle in addition to Building your Resume
While working, you get to meet new friends and other classmates who might turn to be long-time allies in your professional life. Through networking, you might meet someone who'll be a stepping stone later on in your career.
Likewise, having a job in college can appeal to a potential employer to consider hiring you due to your ability to balance a demanding schedule.
Cons of Working While in College
1. Sacrificing Study Time for Work
Having a college job can significantly impact your time for study. Whenever you dedicate your time to work, you are doing it either at the expense of sleeping or catching up with your class readings. In the end, you might have less time for relaxation as your priories clash over time.
2. Stress
Balancing between class and work can leave you burnt out at the end of the day. A tired mind can't effectively memorize materials. Adding the burden of a job to an already stressful college time can overload a student's system, which is detrimental to their overall life.
Before pursuing a job in college, carefully consider its pros and cons.
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