Poor college students across campus work long hours and receive low wages to help pay for their academic experiences. Students walk a fine line balancing work and attending school full- or part-time. Whether it’s off campus or on campus, college kids are finding ways to cut back on spending and learning to save their money. Working part-time is a convenient way for students to earn a little extra.
According to a brochure from Career and Employment Services, the benefits from working part-time are numerous, including earning money for college, gaining exposure to career interests in a real world setting and expanding social and support circles. Students also get a chance to build their résumés and increase the probability of graduating.
“It’s important to me to be well-balanced,” said Dustin Lacey, a junior in business. “I like having a good social life and having a job. But I know when I should be doing homework too. I typically spend 15 hours a week working.”
Students do need to learn to manage school and work so that it doesn’t take up all their time, but with the rising cost of tuition, books and housing, it is hard to stay connected and not become overworked.
“There is a certain point when work will start to affect the amount of time spent on homework, and it will show academically if students start to overextend themselves,” said Kerri Keller, director of CES.
Using time-management skills can help students control both jobs and homework. However, having time for friends and clubs is becoming increasingly difficult, Keller said.
“Students need to prioritize their time, have a large support network of friends and family; they also need to learn to spend time wisely,” Keller said.
However, in this economy, finding a part-time job is more difficult compared to years past since the job market is not as strong as it once was. Students have begun to notice this effect.
“I have applied to a few places, and I hope to get a job soon,” said Jillian Aramowicz, a sophomore in journalism and mass communications. “It’s going to be a lot harder to find employment in this economy.”
If students have a job, it is important to limit the amount of time spent working. Being well-balanced is crucial to student success.
“New students should work only about 10 hours per week on a part-time job, and most students shouldn’t spend more than 20 hours working,” Keller said. “It is all about making the right choices for you.”
A few places to find jobs on campus are Housing and Dining Services, Bramlage Coliseum, the K-State Student Union and Hale Library, which are some of K-State’s biggest employers. Their employment opportunities include everything from clerical work to helping out at large sporting events. Off-campus employers also have a range of opportunities, with everything from retailers to food services. Keller specifically pointed out GTM as a big off-campus employer.
“They offer everything from graphic design as well as other opportunities,” she said. “Last year, we received more job listings for off-campus than on-campus. That means about twice as many off-campus employers gave us listings than we received for on-campus,” Keller said.
CES is a resource for students to find a part-time job to help them gain necessary experience. The organization helps students find job opportunities and internships and offers information on activating CES accounts and résumé building. Students are welcome to stop by CES in Holtz Hall anytime or set up an appointment with an adviser to discuss their career options. JobWeb.com, Monster.com, NationJob.com and TheRileyGuide.com are all popular sites that students should use when hunting for more information.
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