Balancing Working While in College

A common question from parents is, “Should my child work while in college?” Based on financial need, this may be less of a question and more of a necessity. Regardless, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to balancing work and being a college student.

BENEFITS

} Money Of course, a major benefit of working while in college is the ability for students to earn money. For some students, this money is used for “extras” like going to the movies with friends or buying a new video game.

For others, this is an opportunity to learn some financial independence and some students are asked to pay for certain bills such as car insurance or tuition. An added benefit of earning an income during college is the opportunity for students to gain budgeting experience.

} Professional Experience There are many skills to be gained from working during college. Managing the time it takes to add work to a busy schedule, professional skills such as customer service and work ethic, and effective communication are often learned on the job. Similarly, students often meet people they work with who become future professional references or mentors.

CHALLENGES

} Balance Sometimes students who work during college stretch themselves too thin. They often realize too late that they do not have enough time to balance everything they have on their plates – academics, work, campus involvement, and downtime with friends makes for a busy week. It’s really all about prioritizing what is most important, and sometimes students need a little help putting this into perspective.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many hours per week should my student work? Certainly, this is unique to each student and depends on how many classes they are taking and the other things they have on their plate. Generally speaking, students should not plan to work more than 10 – 15 hours per week.

Can my student work on campus? Yes. FGCU does offer some student employment opportunities. These range from working at a campus restaurant, for a particular office or department, or even serving as a lifeguard for Campus Recreation. Working on campus can have several added benefits, such as flexible scheduling, working with other FGCU students, and even getting paid for leadership positions such as being a Resident Assistant, Tutor, or Orientation Leader. Encourage your student to check out campus employment opportunities at fgcu-csm.symplicity.com

What are some signs my student may be working too much?

} If your student holds an irregular work schedule or works late at night and isn’t getting enough sleep or often complains about being tired. } If he/she shares that they didn’t do as well on a test or assignment as they hoped, it’s a good idea to ask questions like, “Were you able to spend enough time working on it?”

If not, this may be because they are prioritizing work over academics. } If you notice your student choosing work over other opportunities consistently. For example, are they missing out on involvement opportunities or even having a hard time making new friends because they are always choosing work over those things?