Every college student should have a job, it’s that simple. There are tons of fantastic benefits to being employed that you just can’t get from being a student alone. I've been working for as long as I can remember, doing everything from landscaping to waiting tables. Yes, it sucks to wake up early on a Saturday morning after a fun filled Friday night, and no, working usually isn't the most fun thing to do; but looking back on it now and seeing how much all those hours benefited me, I wouldn't trade a single moment for anything. So, here are my top five reasons for working as much as you can: 

A ton of responsibility comes with having a job. Often, positions in the workplace are reliant on one another. Everyone is expected to do their part to make sure the business is successful. I've found that I work best when I know that I’m part of a team who is relying on me to pull my weight. The constant desire to do a job promptly and thoroughly will also help to build a great work ethic. Developing these traits will benefit you in a multitude of ways; studying, doing homework, volunteering and even your job become easier the more you develop your work ethic and ability to be an effective part of a team.    

Fun money
This one is pretty obvious, if you work, you’ll get paid. A portion of that hard earned cash can be directly invested in something truly important, yourself! Payday makes all those hours of strenuous work worth it. Once you get that hard earned paycheck make sure to treat yourself, you've earned it! Go see a movie, buy a six pack of your favorite beer or maybe take that special someone out for a nice date. No matter what you do with your spending money, I guarantee that it will feel even better knowing that you worked hard to earn it.  

Building a Savings
This is probably the most important reason to get as many hours as you can. Saving money is something that everyone should be doing throughout their whole life, beginning as early as possible. Immediately put a portion of each paycheck into a savings account, 401k or stock portfolio and leave it there! It may not be fun to say goodbye to some of your money right when you get it, but that money will grow and later on in life you’ll be glad you did. 

Building a Resume
Having a strong job history is important when it comes to applications. Whether you’re applying for grad school or trying to get started with your dream career, having a job is a great resume booster. It shows that you are able to handle responsibility, work hard, and be an effective team player.      

Get Involved
My fraternity encourages its members to get involved outside the chapter, both on and off campus. Having a job is a great way to be an integral part of your community, and the people you meet in the workplace may turn out to be some of your best friends! You can never have too many networking opportunities, and a job is a great way to create more of these invaluable connections.  

So, as you can see, a job not only benefits you financially; but also develops and strengthens a variety of traits that are key to a successful future.