Blog 9: Work It, Work It!

Weekends are overrated.

At least that’s what I tell myself most Saturdays and Sundays as I sit in my office, shredding, typing and paper-clipping to my heart’s (dis)content. But no worries! As soon as I get off work, I get to party … with the rough draft of my research paper, that is.

Photo courtesy of Reader's Digest

Striking a healthy (or at least manageable) balance between work and school can be incredibly difficult, at times overwhelming. However, increasing budget cuts to public education compounded with a fledgling economy has thrown many college students into this balancing act.

Katie Sandvig, a fourth-year student at California State University Northridge, has been working 30-40 hours a week for the past three years while attending school full time. When her parents told her they would be unable to assist her in financing her education, Sandvig found employment to cover expenses and help assuage her school loan debt. She recognizes the academic and social payoff of working in school.

“I do not prefer to work while going to school. It would be nice to just go to school and have all that extra time to relax and hang out with friends,” Sandvig said.

Holding down a job while attending college deprives students of more than just precious time. A schedule packed with classes and work shifts must also accommodate the time needed to study and complete homework assignments. All this time-budgeting leaves students with a deficit. Very little time is left for social activities, a crucial component of college life that working students are often forced to neglect. However, coordinating work and school schedules gives students the opportunity to develop valuable time management habits and techniques.

“Since I started working more hours, it has actually helped my academics. Having less free time has forced me to manage time better and not put off homework,” Sandvig said.

In addition to learning time management skills, a working student boasts many advantages that their unemployed classmates often cannot. Below are further benefits to working while attending school.

1. College students who have worked through their studies graduate with two valuable things: a degree and a resume. In a tight job market, having both gives graduates a competitive edge. Even retail or waiting jobs can beef up your resume by showing that you can interact with people, take direction and function as a part of a team, qualities that every employer finds appealing.

2. Any job offers the opportunity to expand your professional network. Connections with former co-workers or managers may help you find a job in the future and, if nothing else, can provide you with references.

3. Depending on your job and the amount of hours you work, you may be eligible for benefits like health or dental insurance that students often have difficulty obtaining.

4. Making money, of course! Whether used for tuition, books, rent or just fun, what student couldn’t use some extra cash? Earning your own money also gives you a sense of responsibility, as well as pride.

“I like having my own money and the independence that comes with that,” Sandvig said.


Although it takes a considerable amount of hard work and sacrifice, working while going to school is an incredible opportunity to build a powerful skill set and develop habits that will help you in school, work and life in general. So next time you’re flipping burgers, sending faxes or ringing someone up at the register, do your best to remember: Your hard work will pay off in the end!