It's no secret that college students could all use a little more cash. Working a job while earning your degree sounds like a great way to get some more money and earn a resume entry at the same time. Balancing work and school can be tricky, however, and without the proper planning, a job can take away from the quality of your school work. If you are considering getting a job in college or are trying to navigate the demands of one now, here are 12 questions to ask yourself.
1. How good are you at managing time?
Organization and time management is key when it comes to working during school. Unlike your regular class schedule, job hours might vary from week to week. If you don't already write your schedule in a planner or keep one on your phone or laptop, this is a great time to start. Know when you have to be at work, at school, and don't forget to allow time for homework.
2. Is the location convenient?
Traveling long distances between school and work can be a pain, and limit the hours you can work. An on-campus job is great because you don't have to go anywhere different. Even if you work off-campus, look for someplace you can easily reach in a hurry. When planning your schedule, factor in traffic and situations such as late buses.
3. How badly do you need the money right now?
If you will truly be living paycheck to paycheck, if all your hard-earned money will be going straight to rent, tuition and food, then it may be time to stop and reconsider. We all need money, but it is better to have a little wiggle room in case you have to quit or are fired. If the money situation is dire, it may be wise to take some time off school and work full time until you have secured enough funds to not worry as much.
4. What is the dress code like?
Young adults generally want to be free to express themselves and fashion their own personal style, but some jobs limit how you can present yourself. While dress code will not be a huge issue for most people, it is worth considering especially if you have visible tattoos, piercings or noticeably colored hair. Even smaller issues such as nail color, jewelry wear, or hair length can be an issue for some. Look into companies and ask around to make sure you are signing on to a company whose standards coincide with your personal preferences.
5. Is your boss understanding?
Some bosses seem to have forgotten what it was like to be a student. In college, you may have to decrease your hours to keep up academically, change your schedule to accommodate finals week, or any number of other situations. School is probably your priority, so it is important your boss understands this and is willing to work with you. At the interview, get a feel for the kind of relationship you will have with your boss and work towards open, honest communication right away.
6. What kind of an environment do you prefer?
The options are limited when searching for part-time jobs not requiring a college degree, but that shouldn't stop you from considering your work preferences. Think about issues such as whether you like a fast-paced environment or something slower, if you like people or prefer working alone, or what kind of materials you are comfortable handling. Take your time and try to find a job that will be the best fit instead of taking the first offer you get.
7. Is the job secure?
Make sure you understand what kind of a contract you are signing. Temporary or seasonal work can be great, but chances are you need something more reliable. Make sure this is a job you can depend on as long as you need it. Job hunting is exhausting and is arguably more difficult than working a job itself. Maintaining one steady job without fear of losing it will make your life much easier.
8. Do you like the people you work with?
Coworkers can make all the difference in the world. Let's face it, at this point you're unlikely to be working a particularly glamorous job, but even menial tasks in good company can be fun. Try to get a sense of the atmosphere during the interview. Do your best to be friendly and open with your coworkers. And if you truly hate the people you work with, it may be time to consider looking elsewhere.
9. Will the job further your future career prospects?
For many students, the answer may be "no." It can be hard to find a job in your chosen career until you have a degree. But if you can find something related, even tangentially so, it's a win-win for you. If you want to be a teacher, for instance, consider tutoring or working in the library. If you're going into law enforcement, look into campus police work or parking enforcement. If you are an artist, look for an artsy shop, museum or gallery. Again, this can be very difficult depending on your major, so don't stress if you're job has nothing to do with your future career. Just keep that in mind and jump on any opportunities that could start you down your career path.
10. How much stress is the job adding to your life?
Your job may not be perfect, but if you hate every minute there and dread clocking in, there may be a problem. Remember, the key is working a job that won't detract from your school work. If the job is adding mountains of stress to your already busy life, and especially if it is affecting your grades, it may very well be time to rethink your situation. You don't have to love your job, but it should not stress you out anymore than school.
11. Is the job providing you with useful contacts and/or references?
It is always useful to consider the professional connections you can make through a job. Even if your job has nothing to do with your future career plans, getting even one reference from your job will help open doors to future opportunities. For this reason especially, treat your boss and supervisors professionally and try to build connections that could help you down the road.
12. Are you willing to say "no"?
Here's the thing: part-time minimum wage jobs are a dime a dozen. If you quit one, you can always find another, or maybe something even better. Don't feel tied down to one such job if it is not working out for you. If you have considered all the factors listed above and decide this really is not the job for you, then just walk away. It's OK. You will find another job if you want it, or maybe you should just focus on school. Either way, make sure you are looking out for your own needs and happiness.
