Frosh Finance: Part-Time Jobs

Part-time jobs for students have many benefits beyond the obvious!. Some of the benefits are:

• Needed or extra income (obviously!)

• Opportunities to meet people and establish friendships

• Growth of career and life skills, including time management

• Professional contacts and networking opportunities

Many students find part-time jobs right away, while others take some time to make sure they have a handle on their classes and the demands of more independent living. If your student is looking for a part-time job opportunity at any point, there are a few things to think about:

• On-campus jobs are often plentiful AND they have students in mind. Schedules can be more flexible and sometimes are accommodating of school breaks. 

• Some on-campus jobs are reserved for students who qualified for work-study, and others require that students applying for the jobs have submitted the FAFSA even if they did not receive aid (which is another great reason to fill out the FAFSA!).

• Most colleges post available student jobs on the school website. Note that some have very specific application windows (such as Resident Advisor positions).

• Off-campus jobs are also good options. Local shops, restaurants, and babysitting services are all possibilities. 

• Students applying for off-campus jobs should bear in mind that schedules might not be as flexible, and might not accommodate exam schedules or breaks. It is important that your student communicate about these things during the hiring process.

• Similarly, it is important that students are clear about the maximum amount of hours they can work in a week. If the number of hours increases, students often find that it is harder to keep up with studies and classwork.

• Freelance / gig work can also be a good option for some students. Students who have particular skill sets might be able to do project work to supplement their income and grow their expertise. As with any job, it is important to manage boundaries and not let work commitments overtake school commitments.

If your student works part-time, it is important to discuss expectations ahead of time. For example, parents may want to emphasize that the priority is school work (this is particularly important when students have scholarships that have minimal grade requirements). Parents might also take this opportunity to encourage their students to save some of their earnings. Ten percent is a good goal!