Work, work, work, work, work…
So you’re probably thinking you’re going to be non-stop at uni. You may think you'll be working on so many different assignments and projects that you won’t have time for extra work.
Don’t worry, if you speak to most people who went to university, you’ll find a lot of them had a part-time job (sometimes more than one) and still managed to go on nights out, attend lectures and graduate.
Many employees when hiring students understand that you may need time off to revise for exams and will try to fit your working hours around you. Or if you have a part-time job with regular hours, you can learn how to manage your studies around your work hours.
And if you’re wondering where you’re going to find the time to find and apply for jobs, don’t worry. Many universities have whole teams dedicated to helping you find work. Here at Solent, we have the super helpful Solent Futures. They have advisers to help you find employment during and after university! You can find out more about the support offered here.
Is it worth it, let me work it
Working while you study will be of great benefit to you. You will learn so many skills that future employers will want and you’ll also have something to add to that ever-so important CV.
Every bit of work you do alongside your studies will set you apart from other applicants, so if you can, try to get some relevant work experience alongside your studies too. It’s not just about making extra cash.
There will also be loads of opportunities for volunteering. Check out Do IT where you can find volunteering options in the area you live; some of them can be relevant to your chosen career and sometimes it's just nice to help out in your community. We also cover volunteering at university in week 39, so make sure you check back there too.
We can work from home
Well, not quite home. But campus. Many universities will have jobs on campus, meaning there's going to be a very minimal commute from your lectures to your job!
Check out if your university has an ambassador scheme. University ambassadors are current students who will work at a variety of events to promote the university - you'll be able to help out on open days, school visits and sometimes even some admin work. And you’ll get paid for it all too.
Students’ unions are a great place to get work too. Many students’ unions have bars, shops, admin and events jobs available. Pretty much every university has a students’ union so it’s definitely worth checking out what they have on offer.
Working on campus is also great as you’ll be employed by a university or students’ union who ultimately want you to succeed in your degree, so they will be flexible with hours!
Work hard, play hard
So it’s not only experience you’ll get from working. If the job isn’t voluntary you’ll be making some extra side cash to help fund living costs, or for the fun things in life!
According to The Independent one in ten students will blow £2,700 of their loan in the first fortnight. So, if you’re one of those ten, chances are you’ll want a part-time job so you can get some more money.
The salary from your part-time job can help fund all the little extras you want in life, from gym memberships to maybe a cheeky takeaway, to make your time at university just that little bit more fun!
The working world is also a great chance to expand your social circle. You’ll make some really great friends at work who will sympathise with your little work annoyances and you’ll get to celebrate Christmas, birthdays and leavings with your colleagues too!
Tasks for this week
- Get your CV ready for university.
- Start researching the job opportunities available wherever your chosen university is.
- See if your university has a jobs site or an employability team and do a bit of research.