Are you looking for a means to earn additional income while in school or struggling to eat healthy in school with a tight budget? If so, you can choose from the wide range of work-study programs and part-time jobs for students in college. Work-study and part-time jobs are means of supporting students through school.
However, they have a significant difference between them, and today, you get to learn how each is different, their advantages and possible drawbacks.
Why Have a Job in College?
Students choose to work while still in college for various reasons. If not to lower loan payments, it is to supplement their income or build their resume, while some work just to learn.
Some advantages of being a working student include:
Income:
College is expensive, even with scholarships and financial aids. You have to pay some fees from your pocket, and when you chip into your living stipends, you end up struggling to survive.
Instead of dealing with the stress, you can choose to find a part-time job to complement your funds and get to enjoy some fun activities while on campus.
You Build Your Resume:
having any job while juggling studies and life shows your future employer that you are hardworking and intensely organized.
Such experience is invaluable for students looking to build their repertoire and presents them with an opportunity to network with professionals.
Working Boosts Your Grades:
Believe it or not, students who work tend to have a higher GPA than their non-working colleagues. You need a great deal of discipline to achieve this.
What is Work-study?
A work-study program is government or individual-university-funded. Students take up jobs on campus, say in the library, cafeteria, or teacher’s assistant. It is a form of financial aid offered to the student by the government or university.
Usually, work-study programs are for students who still have a financial obligation, even after receiving grants and scholarships. However, how much work-study you can do has a limit. Different universities and colleges have a limit. After all, work-study is part of financial aid.
Work-study programs are easier to handle since the jobs are primarily on campus. Also, local businesses freely accept students on work-studies because the university pays part of their wages.
Examples of work-study programs include tutoring, administrative duties, campus tour guides, daycare assistants, lab assistants, event promotion staff, student unions, and marketing support staff.
Pros of Work-study
- Work-study allows you to schedule your working hours around your classes, presenting you with greater flexibility
- These jobs are conveniently located on or close to campus
- Due to these financial aids in the form of work-study, students can forego high-interest loans and do not need to pay them back in future
- Work-study is an excellent place to get a sense of direction, especially for sophomores who are still not sure what major to take
Cons of Work-study
- Work-study jobs are usually minimum wage, and only a few go slightly beyond
- They are only available in school and have a limit to the amount of money you can earn
- Since work-study is part of financial aid, it may affect the amount you receive in other financial aids and is usually lower for first-year students because the university wants them to focus on academics first.
Part-time Jobs for Your College Years
On the other hand, part-time work for college students extends beyond the bounds of the university. Colleges do not offer help in securing a job, nor are there any incentives from your employer.
Usually, looking for a part-time job takes up as much hassle as finding a real job. But since part-time jobs are not associated with your financial aid, you have the potential to earn more or work more hours.
However, most employers offering students with part-time do not pay much, just minimum or slightly above minimum wages.
Pros of Part-time Jobs
- Since your salary has nothing to do with your financial aid, there is no cap to how much you can earn and how many hours you can work
- Part-time works for campus students gives them a chance to experience the experience of hunting for a job, undergoing interviews, and writing resumes
- You have many options, especially if you are willing to go out of campus for your part-time job. There are even more positions in a wide range of industries.
Cons of Part-time Jobs
- Although you have a wide variety, you have less flexibility to accommodate your classes and exam schedules
- You also have to incur commuting costs, especially if you work far from campus
- If you earn taxable income, it may affect your financial aid eligibility
Work-study or Part-time Job?
There is no right or wrong in choosing work-study or part-time jobs for campus students. Plus, you need to consider different factors before you can settle in on one. It is because each job has different requirements from the employer, which may end up straining your study time.
For instance, while part-time work for campus students may present an opportunity to earn as much as possible, the employer may ask them to extend their shifts or take up more hours, which inevitably affects their study time.
On the other hand, while the work-study allows you more flexible hours, you limit the amount you earn and the financial aid.
Before you choose to become a working student, consider factors like:
- Your energy levels- You don’t have to work in college. So, if you feel like the part-time work will wear you out or be too stressful for you, wait until you have a freer schedule
- What sacrifice will you have to make? Sometimes, the work is not worth the sacrifice. For instance, if you have to sacrifice your grades for some money, it is not worth it.
- What do your parents think? Your parent’s opinion is essential. Listen to their opinion, and then make a decision. You may avoid a stressful situation by listening to your guardian.
- What do other working students have to say? Experience is the best teacher. Learn from other’s experiences. Listen to testimonials from students in the work-study programs and those working part-time, then make a choice.
Working on campus can be an excellent opportunity to build your resume and form connections. However, consider your capabilities before throwing yourself into the working group at the expense of your studies.
There are many options to consider, and once you find what you want to do, start small and build into it.
