Working while you’re in college can help you financially and offer you valuable job experience. Regardless of the type of jobs you pursue or what your college specialization is, getting one or multiple jobs before earning your degree can be a highly positive career move. Professional experience is a valuable trait, but it requires planning and determination. In this article, we discuss the main reasons why you should work while going to college and provide tips on how to work two jobs during college.
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Reasons to work while going to college
There are several reasons why working while being in college can be beneficial. Some of the most important are:
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It gives you a steady source of income. Getting one or multiple jobs while studying to earn your degree can give you financial stability. If you need to take out a student loan to pay for college, having one or more jobs can help you repay a significant part of that loan before graduation, allowing you to start your post-college career with little or no outstanding debt. Even if you don’t need a student loan, having a regular source of income can give you peace of mind and provide the funds for any potential investments.
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You can gain valuable job skills. Aside from the financial benefit of having one or more jobs, another major benefit is that any job can help you develop the soft skills you are likely to need later in your career. Even if the jobs you perform during college are not directly related to your major or to your future career, it can probably teach you the basic elements of any line of work, like arriving to work on time every day, following the company’s policies and procedures, delivering consistent results and other similar desirable professional traits.
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It can offer you a professional mindset. Working is usually a completely different experience than attending college classes. Students who attend college and don’t have one or more jobs tend to have more spare time and are likely to have some difficulties adjusting to a post-college working career. Students with jobs already know all the mental rigors of having and holding a job and are generally more prepared for the transition.
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You can see the practical applications of what you learn in class. If one or more of your college jobs are in any way related to what you study in class, you have the opportunity to see the practical aspect of your chosen field.
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You can take advantage of various employee benefits. Being employed can come with various benefits, with some of the most valuable being health insurance and your employer contributing to your 401(k) retirement fund. Although retirement is not usually an imminent concern for a college student, starting off early can produce significant long-term benefits.
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You are likely to have more freedom in choosing a post-college career. Students who don’t work during their college years are typically more likely to accumulate larger amounts of post-college student debt. This factor, along with their lack of professional experience, can make them choose careers they aren’t personally interested in, but which they have to pursue because they need to pay off their debt and have limited options.
8 working two jobs in college tips
Consider these tips for managing working multiple jobs while in college:
1. Micromanage your time
Working two jobs while also needing to study and attend college classes can quickly get overwhelming if you don’t schedule your time accordingly. Not only does carefully managing your time and prioritizing all your tasks help you avoid schedule conflicts, but it can also help you make time for tasks and activities that are unrelated to work or college. You should plan out all your activities, but keep your schedule flexible enough to adjust later on, if you feel it needs improvement.
2. Take care of your physical well-being
Some people with busy schedules tend to sacrifice sleep in order to be able to accomplish their goals. However, over the long term, this can have undesired consequences, not only on your health but also on your job success and college grades. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and having a nutritious and well-balanced diet can give you the physical and mental energy you need to work two jobs while attending college.
3. Use the money you earn to achieve your long-term plans
Although using the money you earn for immediate satisfaction may be tempting, using it for higher long-term goals is typically a more efficient way to spend it. The long-term goal can be related to paying off your college loan, using your earnings for a down payment on real estate or any other goal that has the potential to produce long-term benefits.
4. Reduce your workload if necessary
Successfully working two jobs while attending college is usually very difficult to do consistently, especially during midterms and final exams. It is important to always remember your priorities and to realize that you may need to take time off from one of the jobs and use it to rest or study.
5. Have a designated study workspace
When your time for studying is limited, it is usually a good idea to make sure that you make the most out of it. Having a designated space in your home or college dorm that is exclusively reserved for studying can help put you in the right mindset, which can help you study more efficiently. The most appropriate workspace, especially if you need to write, usually consists of a desk and an office chair.
6. Plan your day depending on your natural rhythm
While some aspects of your time, such as your classes and work shifts, can’t usually be rescheduled in any way, other parts can take place whenever you want them to. If you are more energetic and productive in the morning, you should use that time for studying. If, however, you have trouble waking up early, scheduling evening study sessions may make more sense for your situation.
7. Communicate with everyone involved in creating your schedule
When you’re attending college and working one or multiple jobs, a significant part of your schedule is dictated by professors and work supervisors. Constantly communicating with them, as well as with your friends and family, can help them realize the scheduling challenges that you face. This can make them more likely to want to help you balance your school, work, and personal tasks.
8. Allow yourself to recreate
Not allowing yourself to have a break can significantly affect both your results and well-being, so when you are creating your schedule and making priorities, you should always leave enough time for recreation. Ideally, you should have at least one day every week without any college work and job shifts. Aside from physically resting, you should use that time to pursue your hobbies and passions and let your mind relax.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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