Should college students do part-time jobs?
By aquacan
@aquacan (216)
China
October 20, 2011 5:16am CST
Nowadays in China, it's more and more popular for college students to get a part-time job. The reason is quite simple. Most of them want to find a part-time job because they want to relieve the burden of tuition fee and daily expense. But spending too much time on your job could be a problem too.
If we pay too much attention on jobs instead of going to classes, our academic career would be affected. What I want to say is that we came to school to get new knowledge so as to support our future career. Is is worthwhile that some students save so much time to do part-time jobs?
4 people like this
29 responses
@madalinuta (91)
• Romania
20 Oct 11
Somehow I've managed to do both: going to classes and having a part time job. Now, it depends on what do you want.
Is money all that you need? Then any part time job can be good for you. But you should think about those times when you will need more time for you and you have to skip classes to solve an important issue if you can't miss one day at work.
Do you want to learn something related to your college? And of course, do you want so some experience for the future? If your answer is yes then you should try an internship or a job related to your future career.
@madalinuta (91)
• Romania
20 Oct 11
Then why don't you try both? Getting now a job that will bring you money and some experience which will be very helpful lately. I know that any job is good, but if you want a career in marketing, for example, you shouldn't spend time doing dishes or other stuff that is not related. I have friends that didn't get a job while they were students and now, at 26-27 years old they are working on a low salary because they don't have all the experience necessary for something better.
@aquacan (216)
• China
20 Oct 11
It would be great if there is a job that is related to my major and can bring me money. But I realize it's hard to find such an "ideal job". That is why I started my first job on Mylot. As this job is comparatively simple for me. At the same time, I can get some really nice suggestions from someone like you. But I would also try both if there is a chance. I really enjoy talking with you ^_^
@aquacan (216)
• China
20 Oct 11
So I think I have to make clear what I really want. Actually, the reason why I want a part time job is that I want to be financially independent,though I don't have to worry about the tuition fee and life expenses. Meanwhile, doing part time job prompts me to get active in knowing the outside world and gaining experience^_^
@aquacan (216)
• China
29 Oct 11
Good day. To quite a lot of students, doing a part-time job could support their daily life and help relieve the financial burden. Sometimes they have no choice but go out to work. But there are also many students who take the job to gain experience. Even if the salary is not satisfying, still we would find it interesting and worthwhile just like you do.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
21 Oct 11
I think it should come down to what would be a balance. As far as working goes, I did that while working online but also doing school work. It was more because of finding a balance and if I needed to focus on a specific class, I did so. It depends and my take would be only if it can be balanced out properly. For everybody, it is different.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
22 Oct 11
I agree completely with that. I don't think there's anything else I could add to that. Everybody is different and just has a different mindset.
@aquacan (216)
• China
22 Oct 11
Thank you for your response. From my point of view, no matter what are doing, one principle that always counts is to strike a balance. This is no different when it comes to part-time jobs. Some are against it while some for. They all have their all reasons so I don't want to have a debate. So long as they can find a balance, just as you mentioned,getting a part-time job can bring them benefits.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
11 Nov 11
My job has alot of college students working part time. I don't see any harm in it if they need the money and their courses don't suffer. Situations vary by person. For me I went to school full time and worked full time! Yes my grades did suffer but I did not have a choice I was the only one working in my household at the time. So if I didn't work we didn't eat, we didn't have anywhere to live nothing...
@aquacan (216)
• China
12 Nov 11
Nice day, friend. People have their own ideas and I think we should respect their choice. And doing a part time job could bring students benefits too, not only the salary, but the precious experience. But at the same time, I think they should also learn to manage their time well and keep the balance between work and study.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
20 Oct 11
Good day Aquacan,
With reference to your main topic discussion, as for me, college students can do part time jobs as this is a good training for them in the near future. That, at an early stage, they will be exercise how to do and act in an office atmosphere. As in their exposure will develop at this stage.
On the other, you have a point on what you have said, that, instead of attending to their academic needs, they will be disturbed by their extra activities - which is - their part time jobs. At this point, they should be reminded, that, no matter how busy they are at their part-time jobs, they should give priority to their studies as this is one of the weapon that they will going to use in order to build a better future.
@aquacan (216)
• China
20 Oct 11
It's beyond my expectation that so many of you answered my topic. As I am in my second year of college and many of my mates are getting a part time job. I get a little confused whether or not I should follow their example. After reading about your ideas and suggestions, I feel much more released and it's really a nice experience to talk to you^_^
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
20 Oct 11
A pleasant day Aquacan,
It is my pleasure answering your topic. It is really a great topic to discussed with. Just follow your heart and lift every bits of your life to God. And soon, you will end up with the right and proper decision.
@anusha2128 (886)
• India
20 Oct 11
Part time in the word says that will be a part in a day...I think doing part time jobs will help college students to know about the world and get ready for full time jobs after their colleges.. In this point of view i will encourage doing part time jobs. Yes as you said part time jobs now a days disturbing the studies of students who are going their to earn money..
@aquacan (216)
• China
20 Oct 11
It's really a hard question to answer. But I totally agree with you that part time jobs help us know about the outside world. I think the main task for college students now is to focus on their studies. If they have some spare time, getting a part time job is not a bad choice.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I would say that it is better to work while in college. Here in the US, many people work through school, and they are better people because of it.
Your ability to be a good worker, and a good employee, many times is more important than your degree.
If you know a bunch of stuff, but you are a lousy employee, you won't make it far, no matter how much you know.
@aquacan (216)
• China
9 Nov 11
Good point, friend. Actually we learn through working too. What we can get from a job is not only the salary, but the experience. Sometimes, it's even more important than the knowledge we learn from the books. Through working, we communicate with different people and would know how to deal with all kinds of problems in life. If we can manage time well, it's a good idea to get a job. Thanks for your response.
@UmiNoor (4483)
• Malaysia
11 Nov 11
If the part-time work has any relation to the course that the student is taking, it would be advantageous to him/her in the future and can be cited on the resume as experience as many employers look for those who possess experience when filling new positions.
So if you're studying business management, it would be beneficial if you work in a fast food restaurant part time because you will learn first hand about customer service and time management and so on. So doing part time work mustn't only be about the money that you can earn. Look at it as experience you can cite in your resume when you look for a "real" job once you've graduated.
Even if you don't do part time work, I would encourage college students to volunteer their expertise to non-profit organizations as this can also be cited as experience in your resume.
@aquacan (216)
• China
12 Nov 11
Good day. I agree with you that doing a part-time job could be precious experience for students because that can help them get ready for their future career. In that case, that will definitely does good to students. But I also know that quite a lot of students choose to work because of the heavy tuition fees and life expenses. Some of them work so many hours a day that they don't have time for study. For those students, they should really learn to manage time well and maintain the balance between work and study.
@jdex_143 (1093)
• Philippines
29 Oct 11
Hi, there!
Going to school while having a part time job is a very difficult situation. I am proud to those who does this. This is rampant too in our country, Philippines. Since our economy is going down here, most students find a part time job just to cope up with the tuition fees and their other expenses. I think, the secret to the success of this, like having a good grade while being a good employee is time management. If one knows how to manage his/her time, he/she can do well in everything. I believe that having a part time job cannot affect the academic career of a person if he/she will not allow it to happen. He/she must know how to balance everything if he/she hopes for a good life. 
Happy mylotting.
Happy mylotting.@aquacan (216)
• China
30 Oct 11
Good day, friend. I agree with you that time management is the key to maintaining the balance between job and study. I think right now many students forget their purpose of going to college. So they spend too much time working on jobs. Of course they could get enough money but at the same time, it does harm to study. So I think for these students, time management would be quite important.
@vasumathi (436)
• India
30 Oct 11
I encourage students who do their part time jobs by managing their studies as well. By doing so, they can manage their expenses as well.At the same time they can help their families with the small amount they have earned. By doing any part time jobs it build self confidence among the students.
@truthisgod (106)
• India
22 Oct 11
Doing part time jobs for students is not something new. It has been in practice for several decades. Most often, students need to support themselves that they do through part time job. Also, several studies show that those students that do part time jobs do not perform worse than the other students. Part of the reason, I think is usually these students are highly motivated. However, it is critical for these students to judge how much time they can really afford out of their studies for part time jobs so that their academics does not suffer.
@aquacan (216)
• China
23 Oct 11
A pleasant day truthisgod^_^ Just as you mentioned, we can find so many people around us that handle the conflict between job and study well. So they earn money and get high marks at the same time. I really appreciate and admire those people.
But there are also quite a lot people who can't maintain the balance between the two. They do earn enough money but it's a pity that they suffer a lot from that job. Even worse, they can't even graduate on time. So I truly agree with you that one has to make good judgement and keep good balance.
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
23 Oct 11
I worked 3 part-time jobs in college, because I had to support myself, but it definitely took a toll on my academics. I believe that a small part-time job (maybe
@aquacan (216)
• China
29 Oct 11
A pleasant day, pretteyruby. I can always find someone who works too many extra hours a day. I can never figure out why they devote so much time to job even if I know that they don't have a stable financial situation. Right now, the main task for students would be study. Otherwise, we are not able to make good preparation for our future career.
But it doesn't mean that I am against part-time jobs. Since we are adults(or going to be), it's quite important for us to get financially independent. Besides, we can also gain some experience before stepping into the society.
@Milltaridis (13)
• Greece
26 Oct 11
Well i believe the state should provide for students so they dont need to have a part time job. But since it cant , at least Greece , i have a part time job for two year now where i work as a waitress.
I think anyways that working regural hours for 2-3 days a week or part time 4-5 days doesnt really get in the way of becoming a good scientist if you are focused enough and schedule ahead . Well anyways i think you should try it out !
@aquacan (216)
• China
29 Oct 11
A pleasant day.
To some extent, students are forced to work out because some of them don't have a stable financial situation. In that case, some may work too many extra hours and thus affect their study. So I agree with you that the state should help relieve their financial burden so that students can spend more time on academic career. On the other hand, students themsevles should realize the fact that their main task now is to focus on study and make good preparations for their future career, so it's quite important to maintain the balance between job and study. As long as we can make it, why not try it out.
@youless (112108)
• Guangzhou, China
21 Oct 11
It is a good idea for a college student to do some part-time job. As they shall start to know more about the society since they will go to work after graduation. And at that time they have to apply to a job. Since they are young and have no more working experience, the bosses may not want to hire them. The bosses like to hire someone who can work for them immediately without a long time training. So if a student has some working experience, it will be an advantage when he looks for a job after graduation.
I love China
@aquacan (216)
• China
21 Oct 11
As I am a business major, I was told that I have to get enough experience so that I can find a job more easily after graduation. So for me, the meaning of getting a part-time jobs lies in that it helps me gain much experience. But for many students that live in poverty, they also need that job to support their daily life. But I think it's ok as long as they can find a balance between job and study.
@frishy (221)
• Philippines
20 Oct 11
If your time permits why not, here in philippines most of the college student has also a part time job.but if your schedule is full then you must think twice having part time job is diffucult if you have lot of things to think. Do you think do you still have time to review for your class subjects.
@aquacan (216)
• China
21 Oct 11
Finding a job is just like a two-side coin you know. Getting paid is the main reason. And some can gain much exprience from their jobs. But at the same time, if can't manage your time, that job could do harm to your study. So I think we've got to keep a balance between the two and find a best solution for ourselves.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
It really depends on your schedule at school. If you schedule permits you to have a part time job , then go for it.
The money from that part time job, can help you a lot in sustaining your schooling needs. But then, it should be that it should not get in the way of you school schedule.
@aquacan (216)
• China
22 Oct 11
Yes, indeed. And just now I learned that even some students from wealthier families,(even the UK Prince)choose to do a part job. For them, a part-time jobs helps them gain experience and learn more about daily life. At the same time, for some other students, they need a job so as to relieve the burden of life. Both of them are good.
Everyone has his own choice. If they could maintain a balance between job and study, they can benefit a lot from a part-time job.
Thank you for your response(n_n)
@lilblondiemjd (857)
• United States
21 Oct 11
This is such a big issue in all parts of the world right now. Tuition is at an all time high, and even with financial aid and a part time job, some students just can't keep up. It's just too much pressure. Many of my friends who work part time or even FULL time jobs to support their education, end up having no time to do homework by the end of the day. They're just so worn out when they come home, that the thought of homework is just too overwhelming. The nation really needs to step up when it comes to helping us college students through school. I was going to a university and it was over one thousand dollars per ONE course! How insane is that? There needs to be more options available for those who cannot get financial aid. It's very admirable that some go out and get part time jobs, but most of the friends I have doing that are struggling just as much due to the added stress and negative impact on their studies.
@aquacan (216)
• China
22 Oct 11
I have seen some really excellent students in this university. But some of them are not in a very good fiancial condition. So they have to find part-time jobs to support all the tuition fee and life expense. My roommate even gets three jobs! I feel so sorry every time she returns from her job, exhausted. And this to some extent, has influenced her study. So I think for students like her, financial aid is really not enough right now.
@aquacan (216)
• China
22 Oct 11
Good day ralphs(n_n)Nowadays many students get part-time jobs. They do this for many reasons. Some want to earn money to support daily life while some try to gain some experience from it. So long as they can maintain a balance between jobs and study, why not take a chance.
@ljsdragon (11)
• China
21 Oct 11
Part-time job is good for students.I say that because my own experience.When i studied in the university,i did some job.I donn't regret,i earned money for my tuition,i made some friends,and i know the real world.But the part-time job should be the really part time,you can do it in weekend and after-class time.
