3 Tips for Finding a Part-Time Job

Working a part-time job while attending college classes has its advantages: making money, getting work experience, and building up your resume. For many students, working part time is a necessity. Here are a few tips to help you in your hunt for a part-time job on or near your campus.

1. Look into jobs on campus.

There are a number of student jobs available at your college or university. Start by inquiring about work-study programs in your department of study. Ask your department head and professors about teaching and research assistantships, and find out about summer jobs and paid internships in your field.

To find part-time work outside your department of study, check for openings all over campus. Many schools have online job boards through their student employment or financial aid offices. Students are often hired to work for:

• Financial aid or career centers
• Campus bookstores
• Libraries
• Computer labs
• Gyms or swimming pools
• Campus radio stations
• Campus newspapers
• Athletic association offices



Choose a few places you would like to work, and if no positions are posted for them, ask the manager or supervisor directly about a job. Check back regularly for openings.

2. Land an off-campus job.

Finding a part-time job away from campus may take a bit more time and energy, but it may offer more hours and better pay, too. To find a part-time job away from campus:

• Apply at nearby businesses. Restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores near campus often hire students for part-time and seasonal work.
• Visit job placement centers in your city or county.
• Contact local companies and organizations specializing in your field of study and ask about part-time positions and paid internships.



Before accepting a part-time job off campus, remember to consider your commuting costs to and from the work site; a job with a long commute may not be worth your while.

3. Make school a priority.

While part-time work can provide you with some much-needed cash, your college coursework should be your top priority. Remember that a college education will give you the best long-term payoff in terms of career opportunities and income, so honor your class commitments.

Look for part-time work with flexible schedules and short shifts to allow you plenty of study time; weekend shifts may be a good option for you, too. Be sure your part-time job fits into your class schedule, and remember to save a portion of every paycheck.