Working On Campus: The Hows, Whats, and Whys
If you’ve ever been to campus and met any of the current students, you know that we all have a problem (a good one, but a problem nonetheless): we do too much. Most students on campus manage classes, research, clubs, leadership roles, and campus jobs all at the same time (which I find amazing)! And if you also have this problem, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m going to unload all the information I have about working on campus as a student onto you, so brace yourself!
Why should you work?
Honestly, we all are going to have very different reasons for working, be it for financial stability, pocket money, a case of I’m-bored-and-need-something-to-do, or just for fun! I fall into a blend of all the above, as I love all of my jobs, being independent, and being busy.
How can you find a job?
The main way to look for an on-campus job is through JobLink, which you can access through Blackboard, under the Service tab. Here, most campus departments and offices list the job openings for their specific workplace, along with the pay and hours. You can search through the multiple pages of job listings, and apply to them online through JobLink! Depending on the level of work, you might need a resume and cover letter, but for most entry-level jobs, you typically don’t.You can also directly approach employers at job fairs or email them! People usually don’t mind answering questions in person or via email, and it’s always good to make a connection.
What kind of jobs are there?
If I’m talking about my specific job history, I’ve had ten different jobs in total till now, and currently still have five of them. In the past, I’ve worked as a barista, a tour guide, a blogger (i.e., this job), an international interviewer, an office assistant, a math TA, and a research assistant, and I can honestly say that they have been some of the best work experiences I could get in college.But these are only some of the jobs you can get, so don’t worry if they don’t seem as exciting to you! I’ve had friends who have worked at the library, the mail center, Starbucks, ECM (Event and Classroom Management), etc., so you could too!
How can working impact your academics?
So the biggest thing about working that is always a deal breaker for most people is the time commitment. If you’re struggling to keep up with classes and have a very full plate of time commitments, it might be best if you don’t add another job to the list. Take it from someone who has struggled with deciding what number of commitments are too many, you don’t want to negatively impact your health, academics or social life.
If during the semester is too much, you can always apply to work during the summer or winter breaks! The pros of working during breaks are that you can focus on one thing, and also work full-time (40 hours).
The main lesson you should grab from this blog post is that if you want to work, you should work! It is all dependent on you (like what kind of job, how many hours, when you want to start working, etc.), so go ahead and explore!
