The Pros and Cons
of Working
While Studying
The Pros and Cons
of Working While Studying
Paying for college or university can be daunting, and many
students turn tofull-time or part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Others work while studying to gain experience in their fields or
simply add to their resumes. There are many reasons why
students work while studying at university, but one thing is for
certain – juggling working and studying is no easy feat. It involves
a lot of planning, organisation, and time management.
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One 2021 report shows that 66% of the UK
students surveyed had part-time jobs. If this
seems like a high number, note that this has
actually decreased because of the pandemic.
Previously, 74% of those surveyed claimed to be
working part-time. Some even have full-time or
multiple part-time jobs.
If you haven’t made the big decision and wonder
which path is the right way forward, use this
article to guide you. We will discuss the pros and
cons of working while studying at university and
whether it’s possible to hold down a job while
pursuing your education.
Pros of Working
While Studying
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In addition to helping them supplement their income, working
part-time while pursuing an education can help students gain work
experience and learn more about responsibility. Here are some of
the advantages you can gain by working while studying at
university.
Earning an Income
The most obvious advantage of working is
earning an income. Whether you work a
few hours a week or have a more intensive
job, you have a steady income to
supplement financial aid, scholarships, or
parental help. While some may use
theirhard-earned money to help with rent
or living expenses, others can save money,
travel, or avail other services.
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Gain Important
Work Skills
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In addition to experience, working while studying allows students to
gain essential skills that will be useful once they enter the labour
market. Some of these skills include balancing different
responsibilities, following directions, and working with others. These
skills are valued by future employers.
Time Management Skills
Another vital skill that working students master is
time management. No matter which industry you go
into, time management is an essential soft skill that
will help you throughout your career. Because
studying while working forces students to prioritise
both and juggle different responsibilities, it teaches
them how to manage their time effectively. By
planning ahead and being organised, these students
learn one of the most important skills out there.
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Expanding
Your Network
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One of the most important reasons students choose to work while
studying at university is to expand their network. While it’s
important to expand your social network, it’s also important to
branch out professionally. Working students have the opportunity to
do this and can start making connections and take advantage of
networking opportunities at their jobs. Whether it’s co-workers,
guests, or managers, expanding your network is an integral part of
availing new opportunities.
Earn More in the Future
In addition to gaining skills, those who work while
studying may also earn more in the future. A
Rutgers Education and Employment Research
Center paper showed that students who earned the
most when attending school also reaped the
rewards later. According to the study, this was
because of their skill acquisition, signalling (from
work experience), and the social networks they built
from acquiring references and making connections.
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Valuable Work Experience
Even if they don’t need to work while studying, many choose to because
of the valuable work experience they gain. Many students have limited
work experience and have to wait until their final year to take advantage
of work placements, if available. Students who work while studying can
build up their resumes and gain real-life experience.
This is especially important if they can gain experience in the field
they’re interested in since they can apply academic knowledge to
real-world circumstances. This practical application will be valuable in
future jobs as well. That being said, work experience is valuable even if
it’s not related to the student’s field. No matter the job, they’ll still have
real-life experience and benefit from the transferable skills
accompanying it.
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Cons of Working While Studying
Working while studying has many
advantages. However, there are some
cons associated with it. In order to
make an informed decision, you
should be aware of the downsides of
being a working student.
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Less Time for Studies
Because you’ll be devoting some of your
time to your job, you’ll have less time to
study. This can be especially tough for
students with higher workloads or
demanding degrees, who are sometimes
already stretched thin. If you don’t devote
enough time to your studies, your grades
may suffer.
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Less Recreational
Activities
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Because you’ll have to devote the time you have left to your studies,
this will affect your social and personal life as well. The time you
would have otherwise spent free will now be spent either working or
studying. Because of this, you may not be able to enjoy your hobbies,
spend as much time with your friends, or be able to participate in
extracurricular activities or student clubs.
Stress and Burnout
If there’s already too much on your plate,
and you add working while studying on top
of it, you may end up overly stressed.
Chronic stress is extremely serious and can
lead to burnout. University can already be a
very stressful experience, and adding further
stress can harm your mental health. If you do
reach a critical point, you may not be able to
work or study effectively and may even have
to quit your job.
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Conclusion
So, given all you’ve read, should you work while studying at university?
While there are many advantages and opportunities associated with
working while studying, there are some cons to it as well. If you’re able
to be organized and find a balance between education and work,
working while studying may be a fantastic idea. On the other hand, if
you can’t juggle two major responsibilities and your education will
suffer due to working, it’s better to focus on your studies.
Ultimately, whether or not you work while studying is an individual
choice that must be made with all these factors in mind. We hope this
article helped you in your decision.
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Thanks!
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