With exams to study for, lectures to attend, and assignments to get through, student life can be very busy. However, by looking in the right places, you can find a job that fits comfortably around your university schedule with minimal stress.
Here’s how to find work that fits around your uni life: not the other way round.
Why Get a Part-time Job?
- Improve your CV: Whether or not your part-time work is related to your course, experience in any job is desirable to employers. It shows you’ve got work ethic, time management, and real-world experience.
- Earn money: From expensive food shops to managing finances like rent and utility bills, living away for university isn’t cheap. And then there’s your social life to fund. A part-time job can help you stay afloat and stay involved.
- Build connections: From making friends to building professional connections, working allows you to network and meet new people beyond your seminar group and flatmates.
Student Jobs to Consider
Hospitality or Retail
Most universities are found in towns or cities which are full of coffee shops, busy restaurants, and hundreds of retail shops. Lots of workplaces like these offer part-time contracts, as well as evening and weekend work, perfect for students with busy schedules. And they’re great for getting customer service experience.
Cities and towns also have great transport links, meaning that your commute to work shouldn’t be too long or complicated. Bonus: if you’re lucky, there might be staff discounts involved.
Delivery Driver
Many delivery companies give their drivers the flexibility to choose their work hours and days. If you don’t drive, you may be able to use your bike instead; cycling can be just as good (and you’ll dodge traffic, too). Depending on your company, there might also be bonuses like getting your petrol reimbursed and tips from customers.
Part-time Work Related to Your Course
If you know what line of work you want to go into, then finding a job related to your course can look amazing on your CV. Even short-term opportunities, such as internships or work experience, can teach you a lot, and there may even be the chance to stay on afterwards.
If professionals in the industry come to give a talk in lectures, ask if they have any opportunities available and hand them your CV. Build connections on LinkedIn whenever you can to increase the chances of finding work related to your course. You never know unless you try.
Freelancing
Another way to do work related to your course is to work for yourself. Freelancing allows you to be your own boss and work flexibly. Of course, freelancing doesn’t have to be related to your studies, but it can be if you enjoy your course and know what you want to do in the future. Here are some ideas:
- Tutor: Parents are always looking for tutors to help their children with their GCSEs and other exams. If you’re studying a subject like maths, science, or English, or were really good at one of them in school, it might be time to pursue tutoring.
- Dog walker: People have busy lives, and finding time to walk their dog isn’t always easy. By hiring a dog walker, they have peace of mind that their dog has had enough exercise and company for the day. By posting in local Facebook groups and word of mouth, you can find clients quicker than you might think.
- Content creator: Writing blog content and creating social media posts takes time, which is why several businesses hire someone to help them with content creation. This is an ideal freelance job for those studying subjects like film, media, journalism, English, or photography.
Where To Find Student Jobs
On Campus
Probably the first place to begin your job search is your university campus. Most universities offer on-campus work opportunities, such as serving coffee in the cafeteria, being part of the student union, or showing new students around. There may even be something related to your course that you can do, like a research assistant role or the chance to mentor students in the years below you.
Online
Indeed and LinkedIn are full of exciting local job opportunities and allow you to apply online. If you’re unsure what kind of part-time job you want to do, these sites can help you explore your options. When searching, only use reputable sites and watch out for pesky scams. Just remember: if it sounds too good to be true, e.g. “Earn £1500 a week working from home”, it probably is.
Locally
When you’re in town, keep an eye on shop windows for adverts about new job openings; it’s pretty common to see these in university cities. As well as this, job fairs and visiting a local job centre could help you find part-time roles.
Word of Mouth
Don’t underestimate the power of knowing someone. If a friend is working somewhere that you wouldn’t mind working, knowing them could be your way in. They can give you insight into what it’s like to work there and put in a good word for you. Personal referrals often mean your CV actually gets seen, instead of sinking into the job application void.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this article has given you some ideas about what kind of part-time job is best for you and how you can find it. Just be mindful, most course providers recommend that students work less than 15 hours each week to prevent burnout and stress. When looking for a part-time job, consider whether it will give you the balance you need to earn money while remaining flexible.
And if you’re thinking about the bigger picture beyond uni, check out Graduate Coach to get professional career coaching and advice to help you turn your degree into a career!
Featured image by: Yan Krukau
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