Many people
work while at university. Still, it’s no easy choice to make. The time you
spend working is time you could be studying. At the same time, though, working
does have a number of benefits. Before you decide to start a job search,
consider the top reasons to seek employment while still at university to figure
out if it’s the right decision for you.
1. Have Greater Financial Freedom
The main
reason for working is, of course, to earn money. If you are struggling to stay
within your budget, you are worried about paying off your student debt, or you
just want to be able to do more, a part-time job could be ideal. You’ll owe
less when you graduate and you’ll be able to afford extras now, like eating out
or going to events.
2. Experience the World of Work
If you’ve
never had a job before, it can be difficult to know what you excel at and where
your passions lie. Trying out a job related to your field of study will show
you if you’re on the right path. You may even realize that you want to pursue a
different career.
3. Develop Contacts
In the case
you’re lucky enough to find a job you like and you decide to continue working
in the same industry after graduation, your part-time job will provide you with
your first contacts. Even if you take a completely different route, the
likelihood is that you’ll meet plenty of new people during the time you’re
working. The more you can expand your network, the more chances you have at
connecting with someone influential.
4. Graduate with Experience on Your
Resume
Graduates
with no experience often struggle to find work straight out of university. A
part-time job while studying gives you something to put on your resume and
shows employers that you possess the key skills needed in the world of work.
You will also be able to provide references from employers, rather than just
professors.
You may
decide that working part-time would be too much on top of studying (especially
if you want to have time to socialize). If your main motivation is to save
money, an alternative option is to move from University of Waterloo
housing to an
off-campus apartment. Student rentals in
Waterloo tend to
be far less expensive than on-campus rooms and they’re much more comfortable.
