September 12, 2024, by mzyey2
Balancing books and bucks: Part-time jobs at university
By Eve Yellop, medicine student
Image from Pixabay
The broke student life is a bit of a societal joke – but it really can be hard to balance the new ‘adult’ expenses of rent, bills and food shops with all the social demands of university. Whether you need the extra cash, are after some CV-building work experience or just want something to do, this blog is for you.
My experience
From my first paper round at 13, I’ve always had part-time jobs. I love the financial freedom, gaining masses of experience and being comfortable with money at university – something I definitely would not have had the privilege of having not worked. While at university I’ve had three types of jobs, all of which had their pros and cons.
Cafes, shops and restaurants
The first type of job, which I have had since I was 16, is to work in a café or shop. A massive pro of this is it can actually be enjoyable. Ok not enjoyable (because realistically who enjoys work) but something that doesn’t take too much energy or brain power. It’s reassuring to know the biggest mistake you can make day-to-day is to put the wrong syrup in someone’s coffee. This kind of job is great when you have days off uni or free time at the weekend, but now working a 9am to 5pm placement I have absolutely no time and it’s not really a sustainable job for me anymore.
Nightclub and bars
A job I adopted in my second year is working for a nightclub (or similarly a bar). I find this job has some amazing social perks as a student, the shifts are usually really fun and there’s no chance of clashing with a seminar. However, I probably wouldn’t speak so positively about the job if you asked me at a 9am lecture after a couple hours of sleep.
University jobs
The final, and perhaps lesser-known, way to make easy money is to look for job opportunities at the uni – like being a subject ambassador or helping out with a faculty’s social media account. The university’s Unitemps service, part of the Careers and Employability Service, offers part-time jobs on and off campus.
The pros and cons of these jobs are essentially the same thing. The hours are often in small amounts and not in any sort of routine. This is great to fit in around studies but if you need guaranteed money, it’s not ideal. In terms of building a portfolio, helping to represent the university is fabulous and can gain you some really powerful references.
My top tips
My number one tip for finding a job alongside studying is finding something with flexibility. As a student, your availability fluctuates so much throughout the year, and the last thing you want is to be tied into contracted hours during exam season. For as much bad press as zero-hour contracts get, they can be great for students who want to pick up odd hours around studies.
Secondly, make sure you have perspective. It can be really easy to feel like you are committed to a part-time job but it’s not worth sacrificing your academic studies or even mental health for. Make sure you know when to step back and how to set boundaries with demanding bosses.
Ask for help
I want to end this blog by stressing the importance of being able to ask for help. As humans, we don’t like to admit we need help, especially when it comes to money, but there is a reason that support is available. Don’t sacrifice your mental health and wellbeing when there are literally people employed to help you out. If you want to learn more about financial help at the university have a read of the funding and financial support page.
If you’re looking for a part-time job, check out our webpage for sources of vacancies including Unitemps.
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