Should I Work During College?

[Owen]

I figured I'd ask here since this place has the most college graduates at once. I'm going to Bryant University this fall, and I'm wondering if you think I should keep my job at Staples and work part time? Some people have said it's a bad idea, but others recommended it. What's your experience with working and going to college full time?

[tallen]

Back in the day, I had a job in college as part of my financial aid package. I worked for the audio-visual services department of the university for all four years of my undergraduate degree, variable and flexible hours, but basically as many as I wanted up to the limit imposed by the work-study program rules (so, up to 20 hours per week). Thinking back on it, it was a great job that really was a big part of my education, exposing me to lots of different aspects of the university -- I got to be the slide projectionist for art history classes, do audio recordings of seminars with visiting famous people (I remember one with John Lithgow in particular), run the sound system at events all across campus, do copy-stand photography for some of the latest research efforts, etc., etc... I actually spent the summer after my sophomore year working for the department full time, helping them do an inventory of virtually every single room on campus (and this was a big university!) -- what sorts of A/V facilities existed in that room, where the electrical outlets were located, and so on -- we produced something we called "The Room Book."

The money was important, I needed the money.

I think the thing that made it work, for me, was the flexibility that I had. I largely got to pick and choose which events I wanted to work, so had control over my schedule and the amount of time I was putting in.

In my case, my A/V job really had nothing to do with my major. Also, FWIW, I was a varsity athlete as well. Time-management was critical. I tended to go to bed, and get up, a lot earlier than many of my fellow students....

I spent the summer after my junior year doing research (with a small stipend funded by a grant through my advisor, IIRC) ultimately leading to a senior thesis in my major area and graduating with honors.

[Fulcrum]

Simple answer - yes.

University needs to be paid for by someone. Whether it's you, your parents, a school scholarship, or a government (government can also be called the tax payer) scholarship, someone is footing the bill.

For those who say it's a bad idea, did they give you a reason why?

[nealrm]

Yes, Yes, Yes.

Working while in college has many short term and long term benefits. In the short term, you will have money to help pay for college, and for living and social expenses. For the long term you will learn time managements skills, work experience, and have less debt.

[shrinkme]

I agree. Working while in college is a good idea, at least to provide you a little spending money.

[Bobjob]

You must be focused on graduating. You must make sacrifices to graduate. You can work and graduate.

The only downside might be if you had a job that paid very well. Then the lure of money can influence your focus on graduation.

[Harold Mansfield]

Most people work in college because they need the money to eat, pay bills and help pay for supplies and even tuition. If you need money for those things, then yes you should work.

[Zharlene]

I'll have to agree with Bobjob. If you don't need the money for now, then NO don't work. Get involved in school activities and events, do volunteering and keep your grades up. You will have plenty of time to work and earn money after you graduate. If you have a part-time job, it may affect your studies. You may get sidetracked. Everyone wants to pay their own way, but if you don't NEED to get a part-time job then don't do it.

[Allrise]

Work experience is just as valuable as the education you will be receiving. I took a part-time job as an assistant for an advertising firm as a freshman in college, working only 15 hours a week to start. Eventually as I got into a routine with my studies and class schedule, as well as more familiarity with my role at my part-time job, I increased my hours. By the time I was in my final year of college, I was working nearly full-time. So when I graduated, I walked away with a degree in marketing and 4 years experience in a related field. I ended up being offered a full-time salaried job with the firm I had been working part-time with through college and worked there over 10 years. It has led to a very lucrative and successful career that I felt I would not have had, had I chose not to work while in college. So short story, long. Yes. Find a balance in your time management of work, school and social life and you'll set yourself up nicely. Good luck in school! - Jon

[jacquse20]

Hello, it has been my experience that working and going to school at the same time can prove to be quite the juggling act. In my minds eye's the job market is looking for both well educated and experienced individuals, so it would come down to making sure the filed that your in will not shun you for just finishing school and worrying about the experience later. But way waist time, fight to get an internship in your filed and make the most out of you time. Easier said then done, probably, but possible. Anything worth having doesn't come easy.

[SumpinSpecial]

I think you should keep in mind that most people here are entrepeneurs, so they may not have recent knowledge of the general job market. If you're planning to get a job with a company (as opposed to starting your own company) after graduation, odds are you'll need to have some work experience already. Even though I'm over 50, it's a peeve of mine that entry level professional jobs are now requiring 3 - 5 years of experience. In my opinion, that's NOT entry level. (But nobody listens to me.) I feel bad for young people these days!

[SumpinSpecial]

Oh, just noticed you're asking for experience of what it's like to work and do school at the same time. I did that and my experience was that it damaged my grades and made it take longer to graduate. In elementary and high school I was a solid B average student, but in college I had trouble keeping up with homework so my average dropped to a mediocre C. I also couldn't take a "full time" class load so it took me 7 years to get a 4 year degree. However, I've heard that's more common now than it was when I was in college.

On the other hand, I worked so much (nearly full time) that I managed to not have to take any college loans. Graduating debt-free was wonderful.

[billbenson]

Even if it takes 5 years instead of 4 to graduate, I think you should work. Ideally the job will be beneficial to your career or education. Doing construction work for example, can be beneficial because you can learn how to fix stuff or look for problems with a house you are interested in buying. It also could be a fallback position if you fall on hard times during you working careers. Stuff happens and you need an income...

I did security for Sears. Back in those days there were no cameras. Over the 3 years I did that I caught over 300 shop lifters, not to mention internal theft. I learned a lot about human behavior which helped me a lot about human nature and reading people which helped me in my sales career. People that stole could be anything from drug addicts to local political figures or bored housewives.

If you get something that helps you in your life or career I'd go for it.

[MariDari]

I think that part-time is not only about having your own pocket money, but also about gaining the work experience and enrich your resume. You can also try to work as an assistant for a professor

[Harold Mansfield]

Don't know if I mentioned this but when I was in college I was in the Army Reserves ( 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer) and then later I started working in bars and restaurants waiting tables and tending bar. Unfortunately ( or fortunately) the money was so good for so long that it ended up being my career for 20 years.

I never actually went into the field for which I studied.

[Dwayne]

Hey, if you need money or experience than you should work. I worked and it was good for self-development and stuff

[SkyWriting]

I figured I'd ask here since this place has the most college graduates at once. I'm going to Bryant University this fall, and I'm wondering if you think I should keep my job at Staples and work part time? Some people have said it's a bad idea, but others recommended it. What's your experience with working and going to college full time?

Buy a 4 unit apartment and make money as you study. Mow the lawn...etc....and grow toward Financial Independence.

[Rebecca T-Marie]

I think working during school is a great idea, so long as you keep your work hours limited to what you can handle.

I agree that having a job has many benefits as you build skills and social connections. You also earn some spending money which provides some independence and freedom. If you have many assignments it's probably best to keep your work schedule limited to 20 hours or less.

If you are in school and don't work you will be dependent on others when you need things. If you work you have more control of the resources you can access.

I am in school part time and work part time. In my situation the classes are all online so I can learn almost anytime anywhere.

Overall I support the idea of having a job in college and believe it's the best route to take.

[LisaMcdowell8]

When I was at university, I went to work and this greatly affected my academic performance. I was in the first year, then everything was new. But in the second year, everything became better. I am used to a permanent job.

[streamplicity]

I used to find TVs on the side of the road and refurb/sell them for spending money in college!

Think about something flexible like that, or selling things online. I highly recommend doing in-home tech support for seniors, since there is a huge demand for it. My company teaches people how to become in-home techs, so I'm sorta partial to that, but yes, anything that allows you to work around your class schedule!

[chrismarklee]

You should work in a job that gives you experience in the career you want.

[journalist55]

I would continue to work part time at Staples and see how it works with your school schedule and responsibilities. If you don't have enough time for your school work, etc. just quit. I think it's good to at least try to keep to continue making some extra pocket money so your income does not stop completely. After college you will have more saved for your future.

I personally did not work during college but I was involved with a lot of extracurricular activities at my university which took up the rest of my free time. I wish I worked part time just to keep at least some kind of income coming in.