By Nicole Ryan, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Money Sense Student Blogger
As a college student, there never seems to be enough money. Between tuition and books, rent and groceries, those late night coffee needs and adventures with your friends, checking your bank account can become painful. One of the best things you can do as a student is to find a part-time job. ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder offers thousands of on campus jobs for students. When working on campus you can be assured your job will work with your school schedule and you can often make your own hours. Having a part time job comes with tons of perks, here are just a few:
- Staying on top of college debt:ÌýLike many college students, I have student loans. Thinking about the interest my student loans are acquiring as I go through school is a pretty scary thought. One of the nice things about having a part-time job while in school is that you can start making regular interest payments. This way, when you graduate and have to begin paying off those loans, you won't have to pay the interest on top of that.
- More cash In your pocket:ÌýIt’s always nice to have spending money. Even if your parents give you money for living expenses, it’s probably just enough to get by. If you want some extra cash for clothes, trips with your friends, eating outÌýor other entertainment, you may find yourself struggling. Making your own money allows you the independence to be able to purchase those personal items without having to run to your parents to ask for money or getting yourself into even more debt with credit cards.ÌýThis is also a great way to start or add to a savings account.
- Learn how to manage money:ÌýManaging your money is an important skill to learn sooner rather than later. As an adult it’s essential to have strong money management skills in order to avoid unnecessary spending and debt. Having a part time job in college gives you an opportunity to practice these money management skills while you’re still young. This way, by the time you graduate you’ll be a pro and ready for the real world (kind of…).
- Experience in the workplace:ÌýHaving a part-time job while in college can give you valuable working experience. Often if you work on campus you can find a job working in an area that corresponds with your major. For example, as an English major, working as a student blogger has given me valuable job experience that relates directly with what I want to do when I graduate. It’s a great way to begin building a resume and a way to put yourself ahead of the competition in the workforce.
- On-campus presence:ÌýIf you have an on campus job this can be an excellent way to have a more prominent on-campus presence. You will have the opportunity to be more connected to what’s going on at school, while getting paid for it. This can be a great way to become more involved and meet new people!
- Time management:ÌýOne of the most valuable skills you can possess is time management. With poor time management skills it becomes increasingly easy to get overwhelmed. The nice thing about having a job while going to school is that you learn quickly how to balance your time between classes, schoolwork, your jobÌýand free time. This can ultimately help you be more productive in school and work, and keep you from scrambling to do piles of last minute work. In my experience, working my way through school has given me structure and the valuable tools to being more productive, which will be useful for the rest of my life.
Working while in school may not be for you, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Check either your My¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵinfo or local listings for hundreds of different job postings. Find something that looks interesting to you and go for it!ÌýLet the job hunting begin!
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