Part of being a college student means being strapped for cash, whether it’s for books, thrift store shopping or dorm parties. But even if your parents are in a position to help you out during your college years, many students choose to work part-time, especially if they have extra bills to take care of or want to get a head start on loan payments. The traditional part-time jobs you held in high school or over the summer are all viable options, from babysitting to waitressing to working in retail. Internships are extremely beneficial opportunities, too, but unless you can find a paid internship, you may want to wait until you can find a way to get class credit in exchange for your work. Another option that many students choose is work-study, an organized and federally supported program in which colleges participate to offer on-campus work to students. Under this system, work-study participants are also guaranteed at least minimum-wage pay.
Work-study programs are part-time and reserved for students instead of hiring outside employees, but they can afford you many more benefits than just a better chance at getting a job. In fact, they can make your life much easier than looking for employment off campus. Depending on whether or not you live on campus, you’ll have little to no commute time, and if you have a work schedule that compliments your class schedule, you may not have to make an extra trip even if you do live off campus. You’ll save gas money and driving time this way, and you’ll also find it easier to show up on time to your job.
Another major plus of working on campus is that your employers are all members of the college community. They understand that your primary "job" is to study hard, attend class and graduate, but that you also have many other extracurricular commitments that can be just as important. Campus employers are usually more lenient in working around your schedule, especially during exam time, whereas a restaurant manager may not care if you need to trade a shift to study.
Because work-study programs are reserved for students, your work will most likely be seasonal. You don’t have to ask off for trips home during Thanksgiving or winter break, although some arrangements may be made if you want to work during the summer. This option will be up to your school or individual department, and may not be available in all cases. Jobs can be found all over campus, too: in academic departments, publishing and press offices, communications office, alumni relations offices, admissions, career resources, and a lot more. Because work-study programs are federally supported, you will have to demonstrate that you are eligible by submitting your family’s finances. Even if you don’t qualify for work-study, however, many independent part-time positions are worth inquiring about around school, too.