2008 Woodie Awards
Part-time jobs offer more than paychecks
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Editorial
College students who work a part-time job on top of a full class schedule will likely see the fruits of their labor now and beyond their college career.
In 2007, two-thirds of students surveyed said they held a job in addition to their classes, according to a report by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Many students must work to pay for their schooling. Others choose to work in order to have a little extra cash. Either way, working while in college provides students with more than just money in their pockets.
There are several benefits of working a part-time job. Students learn to have financial responsibility, make contacts in the job market, gain experience, manage their time and discover more about themselves.
Often the choices students make are influenced by financial considerations. An expensive activity is less appealing than a cheap one, especially if students have to spend money they worked hard to earn.
Most importantly, working part-time while in college allows students to have a glimpse into their futures. Easing into the working world, with a few hours a week, will make life after college somewhat familiar.
Knowing what to expect, as opposed to earning a degree and having no experience in the workforce, can prevent confusion and intimidation after graduation.
Staying with one job assures that the student will learn the tricks of that particular trade, but working several different jobs throughout college is beneficial as well.
Trying a variety of jobs gives students a chance to discover what they like to do and, maybe more importantly, what they do not like to do.
Though there are advantages to working a few hours a week while in college, working too much can be a burden on students.
According to the article "Learning and Earning: Working in College" by Jonathan M. Orszag, Peter R. Orszag and Diane M. Whitmore, many students who work full-time in college reported they have less of a choice of what classes they can take, when they can take them and how many they can fit into their schedule.
In addition, the article states, "Students who work full-time are also more likely to drop out of school."
School is tough enough without a 40-hour work week, but the same article reports that "students who work fewer than 10 hours per week have slightly higher GPAs than other similar students."
Likewise, The University of Denver released a study during which researchers found that students at their university who worked part-time while in school had a higher Grade Point Average and dedicated more time to studying than non-working students at their university.
Along with classes, homework and extra-curricular activities, working part-time during college is difficult, but a few hours a week really pay off.
In 2007, two-thirds of students surveyed said they held a job in addition to their classes, according to a report by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Many students must work to pay for their schooling. Others choose to work in order to have a little extra cash. Either way, working while in college provides students with more than just money in their pockets.
There are several benefits of working a part-time job. Students learn to have financial responsibility, make contacts in the job market, gain experience, manage their time and discover more about themselves.
Often the choices students make are influenced by financial considerations. An expensive activity is less appealing than a cheap one, especially if students have to spend money they worked hard to earn.
Most importantly, working part-time while in college allows students to have a glimpse into their futures. Easing into the working world, with a few hours a week, will make life after college somewhat familiar.
Knowing what to expect, as opposed to earning a degree and having no experience in the workforce, can prevent confusion and intimidation after graduation.
Staying with one job assures that the student will learn the tricks of that particular trade, but working several different jobs throughout college is beneficial as well.
Trying a variety of jobs gives students a chance to discover what they like to do and, maybe more importantly, what they do not like to do.
Though there are advantages to working a few hours a week while in college, working too much can be a burden on students.
According to the article "Learning and Earning: Working in College" by Jonathan M. Orszag, Peter R. Orszag and Diane M. Whitmore, many students who work full-time in college reported they have less of a choice of what classes they can take, when they can take them and how many they can fit into their schedule.
In addition, the article states, "Students who work full-time are also more likely to drop out of school."
School is tough enough without a 40-hour work week, but the same article reports that "students who work fewer than 10 hours per week have slightly higher GPAs than other similar students."
Likewise, The University of Denver released a study during which researchers found that students at their university who worked part-time while in school had a higher Grade Point Average and dedicated more time to studying than non-working students at their university.
Along with classes, homework and extra-curricular activities, working part-time during college is difficult, but a few hours a week really pay off.
