CHAPTER 18: The Balancing Act: Work and College
Depending on your situation, you might be trying to hold down a job while you are a student. Some students will choose to work part time to have some extra spending money. Some will take on a part-time job because they need the extra money to pay for their living expenses. Other students might have to work full time to support themselves while they are in school. Whatever your situation, there are some things to know before you decide to take a job while you are a student. Plus, if you do not have any choice in the matter, this chapter might at least help you juggle your school, work, and social life without losing your mind.
If getting a job is something you are considering, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of working while a student. Your time will already be overtaxed with class, studying, and trying to maintain a social life. If you are trying to earn some extra cash to go out more, you might want to consider that having a job might give you the extra money, but it will be taking away the time you once had to go out. So, you might just find yourself in a catch-22 situation where if you do not work, you have the time but not the money to go out more, and if you do work, you will have the money but not the time. Try to at least make it through your first semester of school before you decide if you want to get a part-time job. After you have made it through one semester, you should have a more realistic idea of how much time you have, if any, to take on a job.
If you decide getting a part-time job is what you want to do or have to do to finance your college career, consider all your options for work. Some part-time jobs will be easier to juggle with school. Some jobs might help you decide on a major or career path. Some jobs will earn you more money with less time spent on the job. Weigh all your options carefully, and look into several possibilities before you commit to an employer. Try to avoid jumping from one job to another after only a few months. As a college student, you might change jobs frequently, but try to lessen job hopping as much as possible. Future employers might be wary of hiring you if you never keep a job more than a month or two.
Work-study Programs and On-Campus Jobs
Your college will likely offer work-study programs. These programs allow students to work on campus. Find out from your financial aid office if you are eligible for a work-study job, and find out what jobs are available. These jobs are frequently on campus. Some of these opportunities, such as working a desk or receptionist-type job, will allow you to study during work. Most programs limit the number of hours a week you can work so that you will not end up spending too many hours working to study.
Other jobs on campus might relate to your major. If you are majoring in journalism or communications, you might be able to work at your school’s newspaper or radio station. These jobs will help you gain experience that will be helpful after school and give you some extra money while you are in college. Ask your school counselor about job opportunities on campus that relate to your major. Library assistants, resident assistants, teaching assistants, and computer lab assistants are all excellent opportunities for students to earn extra money on campus. You might not be eligible for some of these positions as a freshman, but if the opportunities interest you, start looking into them early. Some of these positions are highly sought after and can be competitive to land.
Off-Campus Jobs
Many college students will look off campus for job opportunities. Look in the local area for places that offer part-time employment. Some popular jobs for college students include working at a restaurant, working at a bank, working as a receptionist or office assistant at a local business, and telemarketing. Check your school’s Web site, newspaper, and radio station to find out opportunities in your area. If you want to try to study while you work, ask potential employers if you will be able to do so. If you are working a desk job or answering phone calls, you might be able to catch up on some reading while you work. Restaurant jobs can offer more money in less time. Ask older students what places they recommend in your local area for students seeking part-time work.
Think creatively when it comes to earning extra money in college. You might be able to use your current skills or hobbies to earn extra cash. Babysitting might be an option for students who like children. You might even be able to babysit for some of your professors or other staff at your college. If you are interested in this option, see if you can list a babysitter-available posting in your college’s newspaper. You can also post notes on your college’s bulletin boards around campus to try to drum up some business. If you are computer savvy, you might be able to work tech support for a company or offer your own private tech support business. You can market your services to other students and even campus staff. If writing is your forte, you might offer editing services to other students. Try to use your skills to find a job that best suits you.
Internships
Internships offer college students valuable experience that helps students get a job after college. Some internships pay fairly well, and others pay little or no money. Check into internship opportunities in your chosen field. If gaining experience is most important to you, you might find it useful to take on an internship, even if it is unpaid. Ask your college counselor about these opportunities. If you know a company that you would like to work for after college, contact it directly about internship programs it offers. Internships will give you an advantage after you graduate college over students who have no experience. If you know your major and already know the field you want to work in when you graduate, an internship can be a solid addition to your résumé. You might even find a full-time job waiting for you after you graduate at the same place where you interned.
The Juggling Act
If you do take on a job while you are in school, you face an added challenge as compared with students who do not work. Not only will you be juggling your school and social life, you will also be trying to fit in your work schedule. Be sure to establish priorities when it comes to school, your job, and social activities. Of course, school should come first. Make sure your work schedule allows plenty of time for studying and class time. Talk to your employer about your schedule during the interview process. Tell the interviewer the number of hours you are willing to work, and be sure the job will not schedule you for more than what you request. If you find that your work schedule is taking too much time away from studying, talk to your employer about cutting back your hours.
When it comes to the priority list, your social life is on the bottom. You may have to sacrifice a night out with friends because you need to study or you are scheduled to work. Try to create a schedule you are comfortable with so that you do not feel like you are missing out. Allow one night a week or one night every couple of weeks to hang out with friends. Do not start skipping class to work or skipping study time to hang out with your friends. Your grades will suffer if your priorities are not in line. Do not take on more hours at work than you must. Bear in mind that your whole adult life after graduation will be filled with work. There is no point in overloading your work hours while you are still in school.
Other Options
Look into other options for money if you are working because you need the money for school but cannot seem to manage the schedule or you feel as if you do not have a life when you are working and going to school. There are many scholarships out there for students who are willing to look for them. Ask your financial aid office about resources to find scholarships and grants. This money will not have to be repaid, so you will not be adding to your student loans if you can find scholarships or grants available. Loans are always an option as well. You might need to look into getting loans to help out with your expenses while you are in college. Be careful not to think of this money as free money. You might be charged interest on borrowed money while you are in school, and even if your interest is waived while you are a student, the more loans you have, the more money you will owe when you graduate.
If you are interested in joining the military after you have graduated, check into your school’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. These programs might offer money while you are in school. The military might also offer a deal where if you commit a certain number of years of service after you graduate, the military will agree to pay off some or all of your student loans.
Case Study: Juggling School, Work, and Social Life
Alan Acosta, Residence Coordinator
University Housing, Florida State University
Juggling work, school, and a social life can be difficult for students, Alan Acosta said. The important thing is to not forget priorities. Freshmen must not forget that they are in school to get an education and must stay focused on that. Freshmen should keep their academic responsibilities in mind when they choose the job that they get and decide what kind of social life to have.
There are going to be many opportunities in college, so freshmen must choose the ones they are most interested in and feel will benefit them the most and then set their schedule accordingly.
When it comes to time management, Acosta said students should write things down. Some people live and die by their planner, and others simply fly by the seat of their pants. If freshmen write things down, they can see what they are committed to and it will help them organize their time appropriately. If they need to, freshmen should block out time to eat and study. Budgeting their time this exactly will help them be realistic about how much free time they have.
Students concerned about balancing these things should get a job on campus so they might be able to study or complete academic requirements while they work.
As for their social life, Acosta said freshmen must be sure that they are engaging in healthy socialized events. It can be incredibly easy for students to develop bad party habits. A healthy balance is necessary for students, because not engaging in a healthy social release will cause mental and emotional strain, and partying too much will almost certainly have a serious impact on grades.
Eric Booth, M.A., Director of Residence Life
Reinhardt College
Eric Booth’s advice for juggling school, work, and a social life is to set priorities and remember education should be number one. If students prepare early, they will have more time to work and be social, Booth said.
Ashley Chittum, Sophomore
Tennessee Wesleyan College
Being in a sorority, working part time, being a full-time student, playing volleyball, and trying to maintain a social life made Ashley Chittum’s life busy for sure. She said she keeps track of her schedule in her head but knows that keeping an organizer helps many students juggle such busy lives.
Carolynn S. Nath, Area Coordinator
University of Central Florida
Finding balance is an extremely personal thing for students, according to Carolynn Nath. She said campus offices and possibly classes can help students learn what will work for them. These may include the career center, academic advisors, academic success center, or a first-year seminar course. These classes/program sessions can help students learn different study techniques and how to study, manage time, and create a working schedule that they can tailor to their life style.
Matthew Gramling, Sophomore
Oglethorpe College
Matthew Gramling held a work-study position at his school’s bookstore. He earned enough money to have spending cash for the month, had his hours of work limited by the school, and was able to complete some homework while working. He suggested that students trying to juggle school, work, and a social life not forget that school should always come first.
Frederica Anderson, Sophomore
Savannah College of Art and Design
Frederica Anderson said she knows this juggling act is possible, because she has done it. Her advice to freshmen is to limit their hours of work, give themselves a deadline for when school assignments must be done, and plan to hang out with friends only on the weekends.
James Johns, Professional Student
Georgia Highlands College
James Johns said a student’s freshman year is spent mostly on prioritizing life. Students must decide if they want to party all night and skip class, if they want to work hard, or drop out to work for a company.
Ryan Thompson, 2008 Graduate
Southern Polytechnic State University
There is no special formula, plan, or schedule to be able to juggle work, school, and a social life, Ryan Thompson said. He recommended that students try to have a healthy balance of all three to maintain sanity.
Graduation
Although this book focuses on your freshman year of college, college is four years long, at least. Depending on how many classes you schedule per semester and what your major is (and how many times your change it), college might last five years just to complete your undergraduate degree. But college is a marathon, not a sprint. Do not try to accomplish everything you want to do in college in your first year, let alone your first week. Take your time and plan ahead. Most important, stay focused on your goal: graduation.