Working While Studying: 6 Reasons You Should Do It Too
Stop sleeping on the benefits of working while studying!
Many students think that having a job in their college years is distracting. However, the benefits you will gain must not be ignored. Besides making money, working while studying abroad will contribute to your future career which makes your life better in the long run.
Don’t believe us? Here are some reasons why you should do it too.
Working while studying abroad builds the best portfolio, period.
While exploring new places during semester breaks makes studying abroad fun, you should spend some time gaining skills outside your university. The best way to do so is by freelancing or taking on a part-time job. It is worth including your work experience in your portfolio or resume, no matter how basic it is. That could serve as a good starting point that companies are looking for in a fresh graduate!
For example, companies may prefer hiring someone with a background in video and image editing software. Your part-time gig as a creative artist may serve as a long-term investment that can guarantee a position in your dream company. This gives you an advantage over your peers who might not be as driven to search for opportunities to build their skills.
Like it or not, your certificate may not be enough to impress employers. Now more than ever, they want individuals who are already equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to the company’s performance.
Image source: Pexels
If you’re already sure about your career path, we suggest taking up a job that is closely related to your field of course. Your effort of working while studying will pay off, as your work experience boosts your learning and career advancement as you add new skills to your belt.
Travelling and buying what you want with your hard-earned money surely hits different.
Working while studying abroad gives you the opportunity to earn sufficient money to fund your daily necessities, travel plans, and lifestyle. Imagine the excitement of earning and saving enough money to cross out things from your bucket list!
Image source: Pexels
The money you earn also pays off your student debt. If you’re diligent enough, you might even be debt-free by the time you graduate. All the money that you earn from then on will fully be yours!
Have you heard of time wastage?
It is a common phenomenon in college, where there are plenty of distractions that keep students from focusing on their tasks. Here’s an example: You spend most of your time chatting away with your friends while the supposed purpose of the meet-up was to complete your group assignment. That is wasting your precious time!
Time management is an essential skill, especially in the workplace. What’s better than to learn it in your youth, where you learn to juggle between college activities and your part-time job? Working while studying gives you a clearer view of your priorities. Hence, you eventually adjust to the real world once you begin your career after graduation.
Working while studying abroad helps you to mature as a professional and as an individual. Unfortunately, many college graduates feel overwhelmed by the challenges in the real world due to lack of exposure. In fact, 4 out of 10 American college students feel unprepared for their careers. Real-life experience from your job provides the best lessons as you learn to adapt to the situation around you.
Here’s an example from my personal experience: I offered to help a mute and deaf customer at a retail outlet I was working in. After 30 minutes of Q&A on paper, she finally left with two pairs of jeans, with a smile on her face. I was humbled by the experience and learned that we shouldn’t discriminate our customers.
The experience that you will gain while working as a college student will boost your confidence and maturity. Your future employer will also find it easier to entrust bigger responsibilities to you.
You are bound to gain a global network while working in an international environment. You can use this to your advantage when you’re looking for a job, because some companies prefer hiring candidates with an international social network.
Image source: Pexels
Working while studying abroad also helps you to gain knowledge about local culture that is beyond what you will learn in college. Besides, you can overcome the language barrier as you mingle with your colleagues. That’s a new addition in your resume that will impress your employer!
Each country has its own rules when it comes to granting international students a working while studying permit. However, you will also find certain countries that are quite lenient with it. Here are some countries that will make it easier for you to earn some cash while you study:
Here are common jobs that international students can pursue:
You’re bound to meet a few Karens every now and then, but nothing beats the experience and social network you gain while waiting tables at local restaurants. This is also an opportunity for you to brush up your communication and language skills.
If you’re an English speaker studying in a non-English speaking country, you can offer tutoring services to the local community. The best way to look for a tutoring job is through your local friends and lecturers. They’ll be happy to help!
The fastest way to score an internship is through your professors. They will usually connect you with people from the industry who can offer you a position in their company.
Are you excited to start a double adventure? Eduloco can help you pursue that dream. As a study abroad agency, we have multiple partnerships with international universities that offer the best of higher education.
BONUS: We can assist you with your university and Visa application too!
Contact us at +60 11-2069 9087 or schedule a FREE Virtual Consultation with us today.
Jocelyn Cheng (JC) is an INFP writer seeking to spread inspiration and spark connections through her words. Her dedication to writing has gifted her with an ability to write for multiple platforms (e.g., website, social media, newspaper, magazine, etc) in different fields, namely Education, Travel, and Healthcare. JC personalizes her works by adding a touch of her own experience into the mix whenever she can to relate to her readers. A self-proclaimed poet and currently a freelance writer, she's working on an untitled poetry book at home while juggling between writing for Eduloco, dancing, and keeping her only plant alive.
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