How to Manage a Job During College

How to Manage a Job During CollegeHow to Manage a Job During CollegeThe summer has winded down and the new school year is here. Questions of schedule, courses, tuition costs and so forth are bubbling to the surface.Although you probably spent the summer at a job or in career-related internship, the school year is different. There may not be enough time to juggle an internship and a heavy course load. But a part-time job can be a great way to keep money in your pocket, lighten the loan debt and build some professional skills.With that in mind, here are some tips for how to transition from a summer job to a part-time job during the school year.1. Adjust ScheduleAlthough you may be looking for a new job for the school year, theres a aussicht youre keeping a summer job. If thats the case, youll need to readjust expectations with your employer. You may have been able to dedicate 40+ hours a week to work during the summer, but when school is in session this is harder to pull off. Have an h onest conversation with your boss and tell him/her what time youll be available when classes are in session. If youre unsure, part-time is probably the best way to go. Working 3-4 days a week is completely manageable while taking the standard number of courses.Judge the intensity of your courses to determine how much time you can work. When negotiating with your employer, its best to estimate youll have less time initially. Once your semester is underway, if you discover you have more time then you first believed, tell your employer the good news. Thats a much easier conversation to have. I can work more sounds better than I need to work even less.2. Maintain PrioritiesA lot of the jobs you take as a college student are cool. Working at a record store, restaurant/bar, movie theater, radio station, etc., can be a lot of fun. It can be easy to get caught up in your job. If theres a threat of this happening, be sure to remind yourself why youre there college. A part-time job during col lege is meant to help you cover your bills and provide some financial freedom while you develop professional skills. Its not meant to be a career.Keep your ducks in a row. Make sure college is priority No. 1. If demands of the job are interfering with school, then change how youre dedicating your time. If there are optional workdays that will cause you to miss school activities, attend the school activities.3. Expand Your Job OptionsThere are tons of jobs that youll have time for while in college. First consider the traditional college jobs library assistant, campus bookstore worker, teaching assistant and grader. Each of these great opportunities will keep you on campus and have a degree of flexibility built into them. Often these jobs are filled through work-study programs. Check with your colleges career center if you are interested in on-campus work.If off-campus is an option for you, there are many fun, flexible opportunities for you. Retail jobs are great during college, with decent pay and the flexibility youll need. I myself worked at a record store through my B.A. and M.A. degrees.Seasonal retail jobs can also be great if you need a little bit of extra money but dont want to make a long commitment. Also consider working as a babysitter. Although a lot of high school students take this job, often parents will prefer the experience and age of a college student babysitter. The same goes for dog walkers and pet sitters. Working as a waiter, barista or bar back is also worth considering.4. Think Long and Short TermA part-time job during college shouldnt just be a way to keep some money in your pocket. If you approach your job correctly, you can learn time management, budgeting and other professional skills to include in a future resume. Both sets of priorities should keep you motivated and working hard. With both of these priorities in mind, you also want to stop and smell the roses. College should be, in addition to study and work, a time for fun.Dont aba ndon your social life, campus events and extra curricular activities in favor of maintaining your job. Once youre done with college youll most likely be working a full-time job. So soak up your freedom while you have it. The bit of extra cash should help.