When I started my freshman year of college, about one week in I wanted to get a job. It's always nice to have some cash just for an emergency case, or even if you just run out of toilet paper. I ran into little problems and items I needed for the first time because I was finally on my own. This responsibility was stressful so I wanted to get a job as soon as possible.
My first job in college was on campus, which was because it was so convenient while living in a dorm. The reality of it, it wasn't the ultimate job. I loved working on campus especially who I met, but in all honesty, it just wasn't right for me. Some problems I had was it was only part-time meaning they were really strict on over time, so you could never go over. Although it was really easy to call off and get shifts covered I would get cut hours so some weeks I would only get one shift that was 4 hours long meaning my paychecks weren't that great.
Along with paycheck cuts, the college campus job did not pay well because they do not have to pay minimum wage. Why college campuses do not pay at least the minimum wage is beyond me, but I do know all the money I make from my job goes directly back to the school. This problem added to the minimal hours I received from my on-campus job, and paycheck deductions. I stayed with the job for a full year and interviewed to move up to a management position. Because I was finishing up my freshman year, and considered young I was unable to promote and get more hours, and higher pay rate.
Unfortunately, I left the job I had so much fun doing because of the high demands in my life. I was close to all my co-workers, and It made my college feel smaller which I absolutely loved because I came from a smaller high-school and the adaptation to a big college was a little hard on me. The people, events, and experiences I had with working on-campus were irreplaceable, but with that, it was also just not for me.
The school year came to an end, and I left for a job off-campus during summer. I stayed with the job when school started, and even though it's only a couple weeks in, I think it is well worth it already. I am learning to study and work full time, and it's not as bad as most say it is. I guess when the end of this first semester comes along we will see how well I am doing. I am currently working full time, but if I need to change that for my schooling I will not hesitate. I will still make a steady paycheck full or part-time, and I have full confidence whatever route I go, I will make things work.
My new job, I have already met so many new people and I am working in a field that is what I want to do later on. It's even giving me the motivation to work harder in school so I can get where I want to for a career. My journey is always changing and everything happens for a reason. I believe my school on-campus job was a learning lesson, but my new job is more of something I believe is right for me, especially at this moment in time. Everything works differently for a variety of people, and this is my input on college jobs.
