3 Ways to Ensure That a College Job Won't Cost You
It may sound counterintuitive, but working in college could end up costing you more in student loans.
Students who let the pursuit of a paycheck overshadow their academics run the risk of taking longer to graduate, which can inflate student debt as they pay for extra semesters, absorb tuition increases each year and enter the workforce later.
But for many students, work is not optional. Some use it to pay for tuition, rent or books. Others have it included as part of their federal work-study or graduate fellowship. Holding down a job in college is a Catch-22 for many students, says Anthony Carnevale, director and research professor of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Don't work: You can't afford college. Do work: You're less likely to graduate.
[Consider college savings advice for students planning to work.]
Take these steps to cash in on the benefits of working through school while making sure that your part-time job doesn't drive you deeper into debt.
-- Limit hours: Working too many hours can have a negative impact on academics, experts say. "We know that if you work more than 15 to 20 hours per week, it reduces your chance of graduation and increases your likelihood of graduating late," says Carnevale.
Don't just grab any job that you can, says Brandon Buzbee, senior director of outreach and employer relations for the University of California--San Diego career services center. Look for an employer who understands your need to work part time and knows that school comes first.
Alexis Gomez, a rising senior at Portland State University, has worked at a range of jobs, from child care provider to orientation leader, once working 30 hours per week. She's found that keeping her hours reasonable is key to balancing work and academics.
"If I work less than 20 hours a week, I'm definitely able to manage my time better," she says.
[Pay off student loans within five years of graduation.]
-- Stay on campus: Many students find off-campus jobs in neighborhood restaurants, retail stores or college bars. But one way to find an employer who won't demand that you put in 40 hours per week -- and might even give you a break during finals -- is to job hunt on campus, says Buzbee. You'll benefit from working at the university, even if you're just flipping burgers at the school cafeteria.
Staying in the university bubble will save you time and gas money on a commute. Plus, you can fine-tune a menial on-campus job to fit your interests, says Buzbee. For example, if you're studying business, try becoming the student manager at the cafeteria instead of a burger-flipper. If you're an aspiring journalist, aim to do office work in the communications office. If you want to become a nurse, get an internship at the university hospital.
You may even be able to convert that part-time job to a full-time one after graduation. "Universities are oftentimes the No. 1 employer of alumni," says Buzbee. "An on-campus job can become a full-time position."
[Consider the pros and cons of working in college.]
-- Find a job that supports your studies: While working as a bartender may pay more in tips, a job that complements your major will pay you back in two big ways. First, the salary can help cover the bills. And second, the opportunities to pad your resume, make professional contacts and gain experience will pay off in the long-run, says Buzbee.
The creme de la creme of college jobs is a paid internship, says Carnevale. "Ideally you get a paid internship in your field of study," he says. "If you can do that, it can help defray college costs and increase your work experience and long-term earning power."
For Gomez, working through college did more than help make ends meet. She learned that she no longer wanted to pursue a career in marketing after a few marketing internships, with the city of Portland and university athletic department.
Instead, she's enjoyed her various on-campus jobs as an orientation leader, resident adviser and office assistant in the president's office so much that she wants to keep at it after graduation. "I realized that I gravitate toward student life and I want to work for a university," she says.
Trying to fund your education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for College center.
Susannah Snider is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at ssnider@usnews.com.
