Should-students-work-part-time-while-studying?

Being a student at university isn’t cheap, but being an international student has even more costs involved. Add to this the increasing cost of living around the world, and finding part time work while studying at university may feel like your only option. You may need to work to cover daily expenses, pay tuition fees, other academic fees, or just to have some extra spending money.

Whatever your reasons, deciding to work part-time while doing your degree is a major decision and one that can benefit you in many ways (and not just by giving you more money in your pocket). There are also, however, some disadvantages which you should be aware of before sending off your cv/resume.

What are the benefits of working part-time while at university?

Here are the reasons why having a part-time job at university will benefit it you both in the short and long-term:

more money (obviously)
work experience for your cv/resume
make new friends
learn time management skills
more self-confidence
more independence
more motivated
opportunity to network
opportunity to put what you’re learning into practice
gain experience in the field you’re studying
language practice
greater understanding of work culture.

In addition you’ll be developing in-demand skills that future employers want in their graduates. These are:

teamwork
leadership
negotiating
communication
problem-solving
critical thinking
creativity
self-awareness

What are the disadvantages of working part-time?

Before deciding that part-time work is definitely for you, you need to take into account the problems involved. Here are the main areas for you to think about:

takes up study time
unsociable working hours
no time off for exams or assignments
may increase stress levels
tiredness
FOMO - missing out on social events and time with friends.

What are the best part-time jobs for university students?

You’ll ideally need to find a job that works around your lectures and study time. Most of your classes and exams will be during the day, so you’ll need to find work that fits in around your main priority which is your course and your future career.

The kinds of jobs that best fits into a university student’s life are things like:

university ambassador
cafe/restaurant/bar/ hotel work
shop assistant
cleaner
driver
tutor
teaching assistant
translator
dog walker/pet sitter
research assistant (for post-graduate students)
admin assistant
data entry

The pay for these jobs varies from country to country and city to city.

You can find information on part-time jobs from university websites and student services and also recruitment websites such as: Seek in Australia, Indeed Canada, USA and Student jobs in the UK.

Visa requirements

One of the most important things you need to take into account are student visa requirements. Some destinations allow international students to work more hours than others. It’s important that you follow the conditions of your student visa very carefully.

Here’s a quick overview:

Top study destination	How many hours does your student visa allow you to work?
Australia	Unlimited until June 2023
New Zealand	20 hours per week
UK	20 hours per week
Ireland	20 hours per week
Canada	Depends on your study visa
USA	On-campus only - depends on study visa