Before I started university, I was worried about working a job alongside my studies. I was scared that it would limit my free time and potentially exclude me from certain aspects of the social life at university. Whilst these concerns are valid, I have found my experience of working 2 part-jobs at university very rewarding and enjoyable. Not only am I earning money, but I have also had the opportunity to meet new people through work who I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet.
My jobs
I work at a local supermarket, Tesco in Durham – I was able to secure this job as I already work at the supermarket at home, so I simply transferred to a new store whilst studying at Durham. This transition was easy, and I have enjoyed the security of having regular hours each week so I know I will be getting paid a certain amount. This has helped me budget and keep track of my spending in relation to my income.
Once I started at uni, I got a job with Durham University as part of The Durham Student team. Although I hadn’t planned to apply for this job before university, I am very glad I discovered the Durham Student team during Freshers’ Week. My experience so far has been nothing but positive, and I have particularly enjoyed the ease of collaborating with other members of the team. One great benefit of the job is its flexibility, ensuring I have enough time for socialising, working, studying and relaxing. I also love the job, as I can pursue my passion for content creation. Creating content has always been something I have done for fun, so now getting paid to do this for a university I love is such a blessing.
The benefits of working whilst studying
- Money – Of course, money is the main benefit of working. This has taken some of the pressure off me when it comes to spending at university. It has also meant I haven’t restricted myself when it comes to social plans, as I have greater freedom to be able to participate.
- The people I have met – through working, I have had the pleasure of meeting great people, and these work relationships have blossomed into friendships.
- Enhanced skills – I believe working builds crucial life skills, such as time management and teamwork. These skills are helpful not only for the future, but also during a degree. These kinds of skills are also valued by employers, so you can improve the quality of your CV and your overall employability.
- A mental break from studying – I often find that working clears my head and allows me to focus on things other than purely academics. I also find that work helps to structure my week, and it gives me time to decompress from studying.
Things to consider
- Academics should always take priority – it is important that as a student, you prioritise your studies. To help balance work and studies, time management is key. Planning your week can be a helpful way to organise work, studying and social time. Also, during more academic-heavy periods, such as exams, it may be worth stopping work temporarily or reducing your hours to relieve some of the pressure.
- Choosing the right job – for me personally, I valued flexibility and practicality when it came to a job. I like being close in distance to my workplace and essentially choosing my own hours. It may be that remote work is the best option for you, so it’s important to choose a job based on your needs.
- Legal considerations – this mainly applies to international students. For example, the student visa limits international students to a maximum of 20 hours of work per week during term times. You must be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to you before taking on a job.
Overall, working at university can be a great way to earn a bit of extra cash, develop practical knowledge and meet new people. It can help to boost your CV so that in the future, you are a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
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