With the fall semester underway, many students seek part-time jobs. Making the decision to work while a student should involve some serious thought, including a discussion with parents/significant others.
Students should have primary goals of being productive and engaged. The number of hours that a student works should be reasonable enough to allow for study time, a social life, and campus involvement, as well as the chance to develop important skills and experience. When a student is ready to seek a part-time job, either on-campus or off-campus, a good place to begin is with the Career Services website at http://www.unl.edu/careers/job-and-internship-listing-resources. Work Study jobs will be clearly marked on this site as they are a part of Financial Aid. Good job preparation information (such as sample resumes) is listed on the Career Services site. Resume review and other strategic assistance is available through scheduled appointments and walk-in opportunities.
During the first year of college, students are encouraged to work no more than 10 – 15 hours per week. Although they may have worked two-to-three times that many hours while in high school, they should start slow and first focus on their academic success as a college student. Students also should realize that not every semester will be the same. Fifteen credit hours taken each semester may vary in time commitment due to class requirements, such as a lab, a recitation, group projects/presentations, etc. These types of class obligations impact the amount of study time needed as well as the amount of time available for a job.
Parents can also help their student understand the financial “big picture,” to know who is paying for what and the extent of unmet financial needs. It is then easier to see what the expectation for a part-time job entails. This helps a student to budget more carefully, to monitor his/her time management, and to know whether the money from a part-time job is to be spent on tuition, room/board, books, or if it is spending money for incidentals.
Balance is key. Students should have a well-rounded experience that allows them to attend class, join campus groups to meet other students or network with faculty, meet with faculty during their office hours, and stay healthy. Parents can help their student in setting priorities for a successful college experience.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/dykv