Working in college is both rewarding and difficult. It is also an experience that some of your friends don’t understand. When you have to go home early from an outing because you have an 8 a.m. shift, when you have to stay in town and not get to go home over break because you have to work, when you have to prioritize the different expenses in your life, these are all examples of situations that are unique to students who work in college.
On the flip side, you should feel proud that you’re able to support yourself and that you’re able to make your own financial decisions. You are building up a strong resume that your peers can’t compete with and you’re gaining valuable experiences and friendships along the way.
Working as a freshman in college
Coming into college as a 17-year-old female with nothing but restaurant experience I struggled to find a job for months. Along with growing up in a struggling financial family I knew working wasn’t an option. I started to look for jobs in early August before moving in. After many applications and callbacks, I still couldn’t manage to get a job. It didn’t matter the position or experience I had for the said title, I heard, “We don’t hire freshmen,” many times. Coming to the end of the fall semester I came upon a Facebook group that may have saved me financially.
I’m involved with many things here on Michigan State’s campus. I’m a member of Her Campus, Mosaic InterVarsity, and a new member of Delta Gamma. With all of these commitments, it was hard to find time to work. After much trial and error, I found a Facebook group called Nannies of East Lansing. After making an application, I got many messages and found a good family that offered me a full-time job. With such great people and amazing kids, it’s helped me a lot.
Growing up relying on the support of your family then not is a big shock as a 17-year-old in a whole new place. In high school, I worked 1 to 2 jobs the entirety of the time. So working wasn’t the issue, it was finding the consistency of a job. Coming into the new semester this January, I will hold two part-time to full-time nannying jobs that will help me maintain financial stability.
With that being said, finding employment as a freshman is very difficult and stressful. I recommend getting ahead of it and having a solid resume. There are many factors in finding a new job in a new place, so be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Don’t be intimidated, just go for it!
Working as a senior in college
I started my college job within three to four weeks of arriving at Michigan State University (MSU). I had been working back home since I was 16 and I knew from the start that I would need to work to be able to pay my various expenses/bills as well as being able to have spending money.
I am technically a fifth year at MSU, and have worked the entire time I’ve been in college. My freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, and the start of my ‘senior’ year – I was working on campus. I took a short break during the fall of my junior year though, because I had worked a different job that summer and ended up staying longer than just the summer, before returning to campus and then returning to the same job the next summer. I did the same thing when I went back to MSU at the start of the fall, but then I decided that ultimately the other job was a better fit for my life, my interests, and financially.
And this is just one of my jobs. I started coaching cheer the summer before my junior year and have stayed with the program since.
I will say that working on campus gave me some amazing experiences. I met some of my closest friends there and it gave me the opportunity to interact with others during COVID. Working on campus, they were always flexible with my schedule and very understanding.
Now that I’m starting to work different jobs, each of them has taught me skills that you don’t learn in the classroom.
Working in college isn’t easy
It really is a privilege not having to work in college, especially at an early age, it can get extremely difficult to manage everything on your plate. Not only when illnesses start going around that are impacting your classes and grades but also your work and potentially your paycheck if you have to call in.
Whether you need to work or you want to work, you should be proud of how far you’ve come at a young age. Understand that your coworkers are in the same boat as you and use this time to shape your future for the better!