Student Job Link's Resources

Considering the way the economy is going, if you’re a student you’ll probably end up with quite a few student loans before you graduate college.  Some students have been trying to minimize that debt by taking full time jobs in addition to their schoolwork.

 

There are both pros and cons to this solution that we’ll discuss here.

First of all, the big plus:  you’ll have some money.  More than a few of us have survived a period of school with bank accounts in the single digits and low double digits.  But if you work full time, you’ll have a steady source of income as you attain your degree. 

Also, depending on the type of job that you have, you may be making valuable contacts for your future.  If you are studying architecture and have a job in an architectural office, then you will definitely have an advantage when you graduate and want to pursue bigger things in that field.

Now let’s talk about the negatives:  depending on your workload, you can get burned out very easily.  If you’re taking 3-5 classes a semester and trying to maintain a full time job, then you are not going to have much of a life outside of school and work. 

Sometimes, there’s just not enough time in the day. 

Also, working full time may mean that you have to take a lighter course load each semester.  This will postpone your graduation, and, in turn, postpone the time when you will start working on a career in your field of choice.

The bottom line is that the balance of school and work that may be right for one person may be completely wrong for somebody else.  However, make sure that you consider how working will affect your education before making a decision.

More resources:

Here’s an article about someone who has been there before: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/36133/fulltime_school_fulltime_work.html?cat=4

An article about some of the logistics involved: http://www.collegeplan.org/bcksch/btsiia1.htm