Why Work?

Going to school and having a job requires being organized and developing time management skills. You’ll learn how to use the time you have to study effectively and focus on what’s in front of you. Working more than 12-15 hours per week can have the opposite effect as stress increases and work cuts into school time.

If your family gives you money for living expenses, it’s probably just enough to get by. A part-time job can supplement the cash you receive. If you need extra cash for clothes, trips, or other entertainment, you have extra money in your pocket from a part-time job. Plus, earning your own money gives you a measure of independence.

An important part of the career development process is to build experience and explore career fields. Part-time student employment provides an avenue for you to test the waters and learn about potential careers.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an accounting major working as a server or a history major working in customer service. Any job you have in college is teaching you practical job skills you’ll use after graduation. Learning how to work on a team, solve problems, be professional, and communicate effectively will take you far.

There is a saying, "it's not always what you know, but who you know". Having professional connections can open up opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise, and building a network of contacts and relationships before college is over is a huge benefit of working while in college. You never know - someone you meet could be key to getting your foot in the door of your dream job after college.

Taking responsibility for personal expenses, such as cell phone, transportation, and entertainment costs helps you learn how to manage your money. Once you move on to the “real” world, these money management skills compound so that the transition to life as a self-supporting adult comes more easily.  Having a job while in school encourages simple budgeting. Budgeting is the practice of creating a spending plan for your earnings – tracking how much you bring in versus how much you pay out and striving to keep your expenses less than your income. When you budget, you’re deciding how to spend each dollar to avoid overspending, grow your savings, and keep your personal finances in check.