Choosing the Right Student Jobs in College

Unless you have a rich benefactor like Pip from Great Expectations, you're going to need a job. The trick to having a student job while you're in college is balancing your schoolwork and social life with your new job.  And one of the best ways to make getting a job - and keeping it - easier is to get an on-campus job.

Why Get An On-Campus Student Job?

On-campus jobs don't usually pay as much as you might earn working off-campus, but there are many advantages to having a job through your university.

• On-campus jobs offer more flexibility with your work hours. Employers understand that you're a student first and a worker second, so they tend to be more considerate of your study schedule and give you hours around your classes.
• Travel expenses and time are severely cut back. It is much easier to pop into work on campus directly after a class without having to get into your car and drive to work.
• If you're new at your school, getting an on-campus job will give you more opportunities to make friends with other students. There's nothing like bonding over shelving library books!

Types of On-Campus College Jobs

There are all kinds of jobs at a university. The best way to figure out which campus job is right for you is to see if there are any in your major's department. This is a great way to get to know your professors and do work applicable to your major.

If that doesn't work, try to get a job at least comparable to what you think you might want to do after you graduate. If you're a business major, see if the financial aid office is hiring student workers. You'll get to see firsthand how donations are handled at a major business. If you're a communicative person, and the thought of staring at a computer screen doesn't appeal to you, see if you can get a barista position at the campus coffee shop.

Whatever your interests are, it's best to try to get a position in the same ballpark. If you're an athlete, get a job as a proctor at the fitness center. If you're an actor, try the box office at the performing arts center. You never know how the job you get in college could affect your future job search. I have a friend who worked at the library with me, and now she's getting her Masters in Library Science.

How to Get On-Campus Jobs

• Find out if you qualify for work study. Students who do usually get first crack at campus jobs.
• Start looking early. If you're a transfer student or incoming freshman, this will be difficult because most on-campus jobs are taken the previous semester by students wanting to stay at their jobs the following term. Be sure to keep your ear to the ground!
• Network! Do you know anyone who currently holds an on-campus job? Ask them if their department is hiring. Stop into each department you are considering and introduce yourself to the office manager to inquire about open positions.
• Check with your career services department. They most likely have a list of all open on-campus jobs.