Work and Study- An Overview

Work while you study is not a new concept. This concept has been a success in western countries for quite a long time but is a new concept in our country. In western countries, there are almost 60% of students who support their higher education themselves. Though it is not possible to contribute the whole amount of your higher education fees, still working while you study can help a student to contribute at least something to their education. Though it may not be a big amount for many, still the amount of pleasure and satisfaction involved is something that overpowers all the other facts. Working while you study can be in two ways:

1. Work-Study Option in College
2. Part-time Job

The first option is to opt for the work-study program. If you participate in a work-study program you can receive funds and hourly wages for your service provided on campus, which can be in any fore depending upon your capability. There are many different opportunities for work-study, so there’s a good chance for students to find something related to their major. Students may be either employed by the college or university itself, a national, state, or local public agency; a private non-profit organization; or a private for-profit organization. There are also chances that students may be asked to work for community learning programs that also give in some sort of inner satisfaction along with some earning experience.

Another option to earn while you study can be an off-campus part-time or a full-time job. Though the students enrolling for a full-time course cannot go for a full-time job, yet they can manage a part-time job that is a rage among youngsters these days. This part-time job may vary from having job-related to your major subjects or a skill related job. These days a lot of part-time jobs are available in call-centres across the country which had entered the Indian market like a revolution and gained a huge popularity in a short time. Other jobs for college students can be of taking tuition classes, online jobs etc.

Typical Work-Study Jobs

Work-study jobs are not difficult to get and perform. These include in the form a range of activities that can be easily performed in by students. Though there are not many colleges in India that are providing a work-study option to students, still the concept is getting popular in India too. If you get a work-study job on campus, then your college will usually be your employer. Typical jobs for students include working in the library or bookstore, serving other students in the dining hall, and assisting with college events. Off-campus work usually benefits the public in some way and should relate as closely as possible to your course of study. You may also look for a job of tour guides.

The student may be working alongside other fellow students not in the work-study program. In fact, in all respects, your employment will appear the same as any other job. Only the college and your employer will know you're a work-study student. The only difference between a regular part-time job and a work-study job is that part of your salary may be covered by the government, the state, your college, or some other organization. There is also an option available for the students who decide to leave their work-study job before the end of the school year, or who can't find a work-study job can convert their work-study aid into a loan. Though, this may vary from college to college.

The Pros and Cons of Working while Studying in College

For some students, working in college is a necessity; there are students from probably not so well-off families who decide to support their educational expenses while for others it is simply a desire. Some students from financially strong families also decide to work to become financially independent. Many students have to work while they are in college, simply because, if they don't, they can't afford to do the course in the first place. However, those who do have a choice are faced with a difficult decision, because there are just as many pros to working while in college as there are cons. It is, therefore, necessary to weigh up both sides of the argument before coming to a final decision. Whatever the reason, however, it's important to know the pros and cons of working while in college before agreeing to take a job, these may include the following aspects:

Advantages of Working while Studying in College

• More Money to Enjoy Life: It is a fact that almost 50% of the student enrolled in the work-study program to gain some bucks and become financially independent. Apart from needing money to fund college in the first place, a little bit of extra money is something that every student desire. There are a lot of things that everyone wants to spend on during their college life, which may include spending on treats and travelling in the holidays can make life an awful lot easier. It isn't impossible to live life on a tight budget, but it's a lot more fun with some ready cash to hand. And to spend on your own earned money gives immense pleasure.
• Professional Development: Working while you study gives you a brief idea about professional life. Any on-campus job can provide students with the opportunity to learn professional skills such as communication (verbal and written), teamwork, time management, and customer service while also providing opportunities to build a professional network. Students tend to gain some good working experience and learn professional behaviour side by side.A lot of students try to enter the job market after graduation with very little experience outside of their academic life and may sometimes face rejection due to lack of experience. Working for a living, even on a part-time basis, develops certain skills that are needed in professional life, but that can't be learned through study - simple things like how to communicate with different people and how to behave at a job interview. This makes the transition to work after graduation much easier and in an effective manner.
• Freedom form Debts: A lot of students have to opt for loans to carry on their higher education, which they have to repay on completion of their course. Most of the students who take loan usually spend years after they have graduating paying off their debts that also includes in a certain amount of interest rate. This puts an awful lot of pressure on their shoulders because it is hard to think of moving on with their lives, buying a home and starting a family until the debt has been paid off. If students opt for a work-study program, they can effectively contribute in paying away their debt during their course duration or most of the times not even need educational loans.
• Puts more Value to your Resume: Most of the companies these days prefer employees with some prior professional experience; in that case, some prior work experience during your college time makes your resume shine brightly among the others. Employers are often faced with a glut of resumes from college graduates and are always looking for someone that stands out not only in the terms of grades but experience as well. Someone with work experience as well as good grades is likely to do just that, especially if the experience is in a relevant field. It also shows commitment, which is always going to impress an employer. Most of the times candidates with some prior experienced are preferred more over some random fresher.
• Better Time Management: Balancing your study and your job gives you a practical experience of managing your time effectively and one who is successfully able to strike a balance between the two also tends to master the art of good time management which is really important for every professional.

Disadvantage of Studying While Studying in College

• Distracts from Studying: One downside to working in college, however, is the potential for students to work so much that their jobs interfere with their college goals and academic progress. You need to put in your time for both your study and job as well and sometimes students are not just able to cope well. Commitment to a job does mean that students have less available free time. This may not be a problem if they are organised and cut down on their social life to make time for studying, but many students tend to give in to peer pressure and sacrifice their study time instead. Hence need is for a better time management.
• Might be Really Tiring: There can be sometimes time clash between your two priorities. It is also possible that juggling with two priorities may sometime render a student really tired and probably not enough energy to revise well his topics. There are only 24 hours in the day for everyone and trying to hold down a job while studying can be extremely tiring, especially around exam time, when employers may be reluctant to let them have time off. In time, this may be too much for students to take and stress may cause them to burn-out.
• Hamper Growth: It is evident that most of the students come to college with a hope to get a highly paid job later on in their lives, for which they will expect to have to work hard. From that point of view, college years may be their last chance to study and have fun before beginning the daily grind of work, therefore working in college can be unnecessarily exhausting. Sometimes working in a part-time job may change their focus and few students focus much on their present job while not really looking at the bigger picture. Hence it is very important to strike a balance between the two.

Tips to Balance Work and Studies

There are a lot of students opting for work while studying. There are many who really need this, while there are some who just do it for leisure and to become self-dependent. Students who work and study seem to enjoy the best of everything. They get their education and at the same time are able to keep their jobs and get a paycheck. Work while studying has advantages of its own. However, it isn't as easy as it sounds and studying at the same time as working is probably one of the hardest things you'll ever do in life. Here are some tips to help you:

• Good time management. Strike a correct balance with two and make a good time-plan.
• Self-motivation and stay connected to friends for the required help with studies.
• Set up your priorities and work accordingly.
• Have time for fun and recreational activities too.
• Do not sideline your studies. Remember studies should be the first priority.
• Enjoy what you do.
• Reward yourself for your success which would be a motivation for yourself.