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Working While Studying: 6 Reasons You Should Do It Too

Posted on by Liyana

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. 

 

1) Build A Solid Portfolio 

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. 

 

2) Gain Valuable Job Experience 

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. 

Employee standing in front of colleagues. 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.

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3) Earn Income And Avoid Debts

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! 

Hand writing on notebook 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! 

 

4) Learn Time Management Skills 

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. 
 

5) Mature With Real-life Situations

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. 

  

6) Create Global Connections 

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. 

Multiracial friends walking on a street. 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! 

 

Top Countries That Offer The Opportunity 

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: 

  • Waiting Tables 

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. 

  • Tutoring 

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! 

  • Internships 

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

Jocelyn Cheng

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.

Are you interested to study in abroad?

Please fill up the form and our conselors will get back to you shortly.

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No Degree? Learn To Earn Without One

Posted on by Thalia Bondoc

No Degree? Learn To Earn Without One

You don’t need a degree to earn money. 

We can all agree that money is essential. It pays for our basic needs and helps us achieve our goals and dreams. Sufficient money leads to financial security and freedom that allow us to attain our desired goals in life: travel the world, buy a car or a house, invest in property, and fund retirement plans.  

However, money doesn’t last forever.  

Before you achieve your life goals, you should first contribute to a steady income. 

You can still earn money without a degree.
Image source: Pexels

A steady income helps us to pay off debts and adapt to the rising costs of living. Many working adults are trying to earn an extra income on top of their full-time job. This includes starting their own business or turning their hobbies into a side hustle, with many of the jobs unrelated to their majors. With the right skills and plan, you can start a career to make a living or take on an extra job to top up your current income. 


You Don’t Need A Specific Degree To Start An Online Business

Turn your hobby into a means of earning income. With e-commerce on the rise, you can jump on the bandwagon and create appealing products to sell to the general public. 

Before your start making and selling your products online, it is best to lay out a proper plan. A strategic business plan not only estimates your budget, it helps you start with a strong foundation as you set a realistic goal and action plan. Find out the factors you need to consider before starting a business here. 

Woman wearing accessories on neck and hands.
Image source: Pexels

While running a business in what you enjoy doing is joyful and therapeutic, your main focus is to create things that people want to buy. This encourages your business to flourish by having your customers purchase and recommend your products to others. Some handmade products that consumers are willing to pay include woodcraft, jewelry, painting, scented candles, and baked goods.

Have A Degree In A Different Course? Try Freelance Writing

Fortunately, you don’t need a specific degree to be a content writer. Some companies seek writers specialized in a certain field, such as entrepreneurship, technology, fashion, tourism, and oil and gas. If you have a strong understanding of a certain industry from your past working experience and you’re confident with your written English, you can offer your services as a freelance writer. Try looking for opportunities in freelancing websites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. 

Freelance writing requires you to work independently. Your strong writing skills should be backed with your ability to cope with deadlines. As an amateur freelance writer, you may start by offering some of these services to potential clients: editing, proofreading, social media marketing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and blog management.

No degree needed in content writing.
Image source: Pexels

Freelancers are typically paid per project or assignment. On your first gig, you want assurance that you will be paid. First, send a pitch to companies looking for a freelance writer. In your pitch, include your portfolio, rates, and availability. Your potential clients may want to negotiate the rates before they hire you. It is best to be clear with the client about the type of content they want and your charges for it, to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. You will receive a letter of agreement with details of the project and payment to be signed by both parties. Then, write and submit your first piece so your client can provide feedback. If everything goes smoothly, submit your invoice and wait to be paid!

Rent Your Belongings 

Share your belongings with a price. Students taking photography, film, and design courses are required to use cameras and laptops for their assignments. However, some of them may not afford to buy a new one. If you have a functioning camera or an extra laptop, you can rent them to students in need.  

Rent out some of your clothes if you don’t mind sharing them. Winter jackets and evening gowns are expensive and there are people who prefer renting them instead of getting new ones for limited use. If you have the following in your wardrobe, offer your renting services to your friends and relatives planning a winter holiday or attending a glamorous Gala night. 

To begin, you can either use your personal social media account or create a new one for the sole purpose of renting out your belongings. We recommend posting photos of your items with short and informative details. They help your customers better understand the items that you’re renting out.

Sell Pre-loved Clothing 

Selling second-hand clothes helps you clear up space in your room while you earn. Thrift-shopping or thrifting is the latest craze among fashion enthusiasts who seek a unique fashion style while being environmentally conscious. Buying second-hand clothes reduces demands for new retail clothes which decreases the environmental impact such as pollution and textile wastage. 

Hand touching clothes on rack.
Image source: Pexels

The slip dress hanging in your closet may feel outdated to you, but vintage lovers would grab it the moment you let it go. We advise selling clothes that are still in mint condition, as no one would want to pay for visibly old or damaged clothing!  

It is best to be realistic when you set the selling price to convince others to buy your clothes. To sell quickly, try pricing your second-hand clothes up to 50 percent off their original price. It is also common for interested buyers to negotiate for a lower price. Agreeing to the negotiation is a good way to build loyal customers, but make sure you’re not in a win-lose situation where you lose more than you sell. 

Video Game Testing 

Your love for video games can help you earn some cash. Employers seek detail-oriented gamers to participate in the beta testing, which is the final step of testing a game before its official release. Your salary may differ according to the scale of the project and your experience, but a full-time beta tester can earn an average salary of up to $73,000 a year.  

Guy wearing VR headset.
Image source: Pexels

Video game testers play a game repeatedly to determine its fun factor, playability, and the quality of the visual effects. They also look for glitches, programming issues, and game malfunctions and report the errors to the development team. Although a university degree is not compulsory for entry-level positions, it is advisable for you to have some technical experience to help in quality assurance testing. 

The game industry has its highs and lows depending on the game development rates. To secure a spot as a beta tester, we suggest paying attention to game and console release schedules and gaming events from Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, Blendo Games, and Mobius Digital.


Earn What You Want Without A Degree 

Not many young adults are willing to go back to college to explore a new career. Plus, it is possible to earn money without a specific degree. Start with something you enjoy doing and work your way up by determining your niche. It also helps if you focus on honing valuable skills for your new career to kickoff.  

If you wish to obtain a college degree to boost your career growth, don’t hesitate to reach out to Eduloco. We offer consultations for free!  

Contact us at +60 11-2069 9087 or [email protected] today. 

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Are you interested to study in Malaysia?

Please fill up the form and our conselors will get back to you shortly.

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