Each year when students graduate high school and prepare to make their way to college, they have to analyze where they want to get involved, where they want to spend their extra time, and how they want to use opportunities outside of the academic realm to grow and pave the way for their future. Universities all across the nation offer chances to join clubs, gain membership to student led organizations, and get involved in ways that can grow networks, gain experience, and help solidify what their future career could possibly be. These things can truly lead to a myriad of opportunities, whether during their years in college or for future gain, and are beneficial way for students to spend their time outside of the classroom and library. Many times however, these clubs, teams, and organizations take reign and immediately students who aren’t in financial need stop there; students all too often overlook the numerous benefits that come from working part time in college, an outlet that has grown and shaped my current successes and future opportunities more than I could have ever hoped for.

When you talk to college students who are not in a position where they have to provide some sort of financial assistance themselves, they normally say that their reason for not working while taking classes is because, well, they simply do not need to. On the surface of this conversation, not much more can be said; why would someone spend time making money they do not necessarily need when they could be doing somethings more clearly and directly beneficial with their time? The fact of the matter is, working part time is college goes substantially beyond the minimal paycheck that comes every few weeks.

I came to college somewhere in the middle of the financial realm, as I was not in dire need for money, but I knew I would have to get a job to pay for a specific number of things that were not cheap, and I had to find work relatively quick. After landing a job delivering calzones to the hungry students of Florida State at three in the morning, then going on to work at the gym on campus for a few semesters, I was blessed to finally land the part-time job I currently hold at a Tallahassee law firm. When I received this job I knew I was able to finally let out my stress-induced sigh of relief, knowing I finally had a solid college job. I also knew, however, that this job was so much more than a paycheck. I began my first day at the firm looking like a deer in the headlights, with more information being thrown at me that I could retain and many sub-jobs I had to remember how to do; looking back now, a year later, I have to laugh when I understand that the stress and anxiety the first day brought me so quickly turned to determination, elevated business and professional skills, and a much clearer insight of where I want my future to go. I have been in many situations where, due to the nature of the law field, I had no choice but to act on my feet in areas where I was not comfortable in order to not ruin the flow of the office’s daily tasks. I remember the day extremely well, for example, when I was talking to my first potential client about her issues, real-world, life impacting issues, that induced her to seek an attorney. I look back on that conversation, where I have never had so much doubt in myself and anxiety pumping through my entire body, with pride because it made me mature greatly in how I handle stressful situations, and how I put other’s needs before anything else. Slowly these calls became easier, my responses were clearer, and I became confident in how these skills will help me as they are now part of who I am as a person.

I realize with full understanding that not every college job will be working in a law firm, (I delivered calzones in a car that broke down every other delivery for crying out loud…) but this is by no means is reason to not find a job. Having a part-time job in college not only strengthens your weekly schedule in that you must get up earlier, go to sleep later, or find time in between other daily duties, but it also forms a base of how you will handle tight schedules in the real world. Aside from how the job will grow you and teach you, it is also an amazing way to network for your future, many times even more so than clubs or campus organizations. The hands I have shaken, phone numbers and connections I have found, and other students I have met in my same financial position is incredibly high, and I have not only my law office job to thank for that, but also the delivery job and my time at the gym as well. Part time jobs are different than other time consuming activities because they truly give back what you put in, as you learn skills for the present and future, and make connections and build resources to compliment the skills you have learned.

We all love knowing we are financially comfortable, whether it is through family support, government support, or on your own through a job, but the benefits go exceptionally far beyond that when it is actually yourself working through college. I have been immensely blessed to find myself in the working situation I am in, and the only way I got there was by telling myself that no matter what, I will work part-time in college; although I do not have the option to not be working, I am still extremely thankful to not just be a student for these four years, but a young professional who is growing, learning, and building for my future.