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The what, where, and how on student finance
The average UK student completing undergraduate studies will owe £12000 upon graduation. Similarly high figures are said to haunt graduates of top universities in the US. So what is the answer to the longstanding question of how to manage student finance, pay off those debts and finally put to use that education you’ve worked so hard for? That’s up to you, but one of the most popular methods is part-time employment.
What kind of job?
This will depend on your skills and interests, and whether or not you want your part-time work to be related to your field of study. Do you want a mindless job that brings in extra cash or a job which adds intellectual or physical capacity to your current skills set? This isn’t a test question! If you are an international student make sure to check your visa for any restrictions or limitations on where and when you are allowed to work.
Service jobs
Waitressing, working the check-out counter at your local supermarket, bar-tending, taking on receptionist duties at the campus information center, stocking shelves at a bookshop – the choices of service jobs available to undergraduate students really are endless.
To succeed in a service position you will likely be outgoing and comfortable dealing with the public. For many service jobs, like waitressing or bar-tending, you will be required to be energetic and happy to be on your feet for many hours at a time. Other types of service jobs like those dealing mainly with telephone inquiries will require you to be friendly, organized and comfortable speaking to complete strangers.
Where to look – Your university careers centre is a good first port of call. They can help you find jobs both on and off campus that can fit with your interests and your time. Many positions can also be found online, www.snagajob.com is great for finding positions in the US, and in the UK, www.hotrecruit.co.uk is worth a look. Local and university newspapers, and student bulletin boards all advertise local jobs available to students and are often more area specific than jobs advertised online.
Pay – Service jobs don’t usually pay very high (minimum wage is often to be expected) but if you are a waiter or bartender, for example, you may earn good tips. Make sure your employer puts you on the correct tax code, often as a student you pay much lower rates of tax or in some cases none at all, this can all add up pretty quickly if not checked!
Skilled positions
You guessed it! Such positions depend on your skills. Are you a trained lifeguard, techie, or piano player? Can you speak a foreign language fluently? Tutoring is generally a well paid and rewarding form of employment and can often utilize the skills you are learning while you study for your degree. Skilled positions pay more than service jobs but may be harder to come by. These positions can often be beneficial after you have finished your undergraduate degree. Finding a skilled job that relates to your eventual area of work can show potential employers that you not only have an academic knowledge of your field, but also some practical experience of working within your desired industry. Internships carried out during vacation periods often pay well and can give your CV added value when it comes to applying for positions after you have completed your university degree.
Where to look – Post ads on sites like www.craigslist.com or www.gumtree.com advertising your services. Make ads and flyers to post in public spaces around your campus, most campuses have designated boards on which to advertise. Again your university careers service can help; they will have information of local job related initiatives and may recommend useful places to contact where employers require specifically skilled employees.
Pay – Skilled positions pay the highest wages, and often it is up to you how much you want to charge. Private language lessons may go for US$30/hour but do some research online to find out what the ‘going rate’ is for your services in your neighborhood. Obviously, wages for jobs like lifeguarding will not be open to negotiation.
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