how can student get a part time job essay

Should Students Have Part-Time Jobs? Essay

Introduction.

The supreme desire of every parent to take their children to school is for them to get the best education and excel at their studies. Despite this fact, there comes a point in time when the student needs to supplement the income from their parents or rather source funds to even cater for their education (Sloman, 652).

As a result, most students end up engaging in part-time jobs. It can be due to the necessity or desire to have some extra money to spend. The decision to engage in part-time jobs is entirely the student’s choice. Some get support from their parents, tutors, and friends, while others don’t.

But should students have part-time jobs? This essay tries to answer this question.

Before any decision to engage in part-time jobs is reached, three things have to be critically considered. These are the students themselves, their financial situation, and, finally, the type of work. The listed factors will allow a person to make decisions that they will not live to regret.

Therefore, this part-time job essay is an in-depth analysis of the advantages of students having jobs and a little discussion on the disadvantages.

Advantages of Part-Time Jobs for Students

Part-time jobs are of great essentiality since students are able to earn while at the same time studying. Most part-time jobs require that one works for about three to four hours a day, something that is manageable by almost every student, given the fact that lessons don’t take the entire day. Some of the benefits associated with part-time jobs for students include the following;

Relief of financial burden

Students who engage in part-time jobs get paid for the services offered; hence the earnings obtained can be used to partly relieve the students’ financial burden they could have.

This is because the cost of education has in the recent past sky-rated, making students from poor families not able to afford yet the banking systems have also failed to loan such students; therefore, engaging in part-time jobs makes such students meet their education expenses (Somoski 1). In addition, part-time jobs give students pocket money that they can spend on their own without nagging their parents with money.

Promotion of education

Students who undertake part-time jobs are able to upgrade their studies, making them understand whatever they learn in school even better. For instance, an accounting student who gets a part-time job in an accounting firm will be able to experience the theory learned in school practically hence having a better understanding of the course. The same applies to medicine, engineering, law, and biology students, among others (Pickett 1).

Accumulation of work experience

Engaging in part-time jobs enables the students to gain experience in their field of work hence boosting their resumes. This is important when it comes to job hunting after completion of studies.

Research has shown that students that have undertaken part-time jobs and gained relevant experience have the upper hand when it comes to getting jobs, unlike those that are just fresh from school. On the other hand, working part-time for recognized organizations increases one’s chances of landing a better job.

Time Management Skills

Having a part-time job helps students to acquire time management skills in the sense that they treasure every time they get and use it efficiently. This happens because their study time is now preoccupied with the job, thus having to restructure their schedule to fit in the study time, work time, leisure time, etc.

Learn the value of money

Most parents have complained that their children who are students do not know the value of money until they get jobs. Therefore, students who take part in part-time jobs while in school are in a position to understand the value of money, thus using it well in the future (Pickett 1). For instance, they are now able to refrain from impulse buying and resulting in smart shopping hence making their money last longer than before. This, as a result, makes them responsible adults even in the future.

Other benefits associated with part-time jobs are that the students get new ideas while in the workplace (Somoski 1). This happens mostly for challenging courses that need great minds, such as web design, whereby the students learn new technologies as soon as they are generated. Last but not least is the improvement in communication skills since the student interacts with different people at the workplace.

Disadvantages of Part-Time Jobs for Students

As mentioned above, the decision to engage in part-time jobs is wholly dependent on the student. This is because there are disadvantages that come in handy with a student engaging in part-time jobs.

Among them is the effect it has on students’ performance, given the less time allocated for study (Anti Essays 1). Other students may be overwhelmed by their greed for money and end up forgoing their studies to indulge in full-time jobs hence affecting their education.

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the pros of part-time jobs for students outweigh the cons. From the discussion above, the benefits that a student gets on deciding to engage in part-time jobs are endless. The good thing is that the disadvantages attached to part-time jobs for students are manageable depending on the mind and focus of the students in their education and life.

Works Cited

Anti Essays. Benefits of Part-Time Jobs . 2011. Web.

Pickett, Theresa. What are the Benefits of Part-Time Jobs for Students? 1999-2011. Web.

Sloman, John. Economics . 2004- Penguin.

Somoski, Nick. Should students work part-time during the school year ? 2010-2011. Web.

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Student Opinion

Should All High School Students Have Part-Time Jobs?

What can teenagers learn from working?

By Shannon Doyne

Have you ever had a part-time job? If so, where did you work and what did you do? If not, do you want to have this experience by the time you graduate from high school? Why or why not?

What do you think teenagers can learn from working?

In the Opinion essay “ The Best Extracurricular May Be an After-School Job ,” Pamela Paul, a columnist who worked multiple jobs in high school during the late 1980s, presents an argument for why students today should work:

Lots of American teenagers need to work after school to help support their families. But there’s a case to be made that those who don’t need to work should get a job anyway. Conditions couldn’t be more optimal. Unemployment, close to a 50-year low , has made the kinds of jobs well suited to kids — no prior experience, minimum wage, part-time — more widely available. Yet fewer teenagers work nowadays than a generation ago. The share of teenagers in the work force has risen from a low of roughly a quarter in 2010 to about a third of older teenagers holding down a job of one kind or another since the pandemic. But when I was in high school in the late 1980s, around half of 16- to 19-year-olds held jobs. Gen X parents who grew up working after-school shifts at the local drugstore often lament the fact that their own children haven’t always had the same opportunities. Many instead favor an array of extracurricular activities that burnish their college applications, like student government and peer tutoring. This may be a mistake even for those parents and kids more concerned about college admissions than about what happens after that. Consider that having an afternoon job cultivates skills like time management and instills a sense of independence and personal responsibility — attributes that many college administrators say some students today lack . But after-school jobs teach more concrete lessons as well. Personally, I learned more from working outside school — starting with three afternoons a week when I was 14 and ending with three jobs juggled, seven days a week, my senior year of high school — than I did in the classroom.

Students, read the entire essay, and then tell us:

Are you convinced by the argument that teenagers should get an after-school job, whether they need one or not? What do you think are the author’s most persuasive points? Is there anything you think she overlooked — either in support of or against teenagers working?

Ms. Paul lists what she sees as 10 valuable things she learned from the part-time jobs she held as a teenager. Which do you think are the most important? If you have had a job, what would you put on your own list of lessons from working?

Would you have time for a part-time job if you needed or wanted one? Would it be worth giving up extracurricular activities, studying time or your free time to get a job instead? Why or why not?

Based on what you know about college admissions, do you think admissions committees value work experience enough? Do you think they should value it more than they do? Would you be more likely to get a job if they did?

Ms. Paul says that she learned more at work than she did in the classroom. Have you ever felt that way about an experience you had outside of school? What did you learn about yourself, others or life in general?

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classrooms.

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The Best Part Time Jobs for Teens

Jamie Kingham / Getty Images

• Part-Time Jobs
• Pros and Cons
• Signs of Readiness

Although an after-school job seems like a time-honored tradition, the number of teens who work has actually fallen in recent years. This decline may be due to the difficulty many teens have finding work. Other teens may be opting out of working because their schedules are already overflowing with after-school activities and long hours studying.

While there are some potential perks to working while in high school, research shows there are some drawbacks as well. For instance, teens who work longer hours may have lower grades and are at greater risk for problem behaviors such as drinking and smoking.

Clearly, an after-school job isn't going to work for all teens. If you're thinking of letting your teen enter the workforce, you should consider the potential risks as well as the benefits.

Good Part-Time Jobs for Teens

Consider what your teen's goals are. Do they want to gain experience for or try out a future career path, do something they enjoy, or simply make money for future college expenses?

With their goal or goals in mind, your teen can look for part-time employment that will help them reach those goals. You also should consider your specific state's labor laws. This will help you determine age limits as well as the number of hours your teen can expect to work per week.

It's also important to consider the requirements or experience needed for the position as well as the location and schedule. Aside from typical part-time jobs like working as a barista, delivering pizzas, serving in a restaurant, or working for a fast-food chain, here are some other part-time job ideas for teens.

• Babysitter : Many teens like to make extra money babysitting . In most cases, they can control when they work and parents often pay well, especially if your teen has a first-aid and CPR certification. Additionally, this type of part-time job helps teens who plan to go into education learn how to work with children, especially if they are helping with homework and planning activities.
• Catering staff : Teens with an interest in the culinary arts may want to look into working for a catering company. Although they will likely help with set up, serving, and clean-up and not much cooking, they will get a feel for what the industry is like.
• Dietary aide : Some nursing homes will hire teens to work in their kitchens serving food or washing dishes, while other facilities will have teens do minor housekeeping duties. If your teen is interested in becoming a nurse or a doctor, positions in these facilities can be great learning experiences.
• Grocery store stocker or cashier : Grocery stores very often hire teens to stock shelves as well as check out or carry out groceries. Some stores even hire teens as young as 14 years old.
• Lawn care or landscaping assistant : Cutting lawns is a time-honored teen job. If your teen doesn't want to try to drum up business in your neighborhood, they also can look into working for lawn care and landscaping companies where they will do everything from weed and put down mulch to cut grass and trim.
• Lifeguard : Many teens enjoy working as a lifeguard at their local pool or beach . Although they must go through a special training program to be certified, many teens find this position rewarding, especially if they enjoy being outdoors (of course, indoor pools also hire lifeguards, if your teen is looking for work beyond the outdoor swimming season).
• Receptionist or customer service representative : Teens looking for consistent employment in an office setting may want to search for receptionist or customer service representative positions. Rates vary depending on the employer, but most teens can expect to make at least minimum wage.
• Referee : For kids who love sports, they may want to look into becoming a referee. For instance, in Ohio the Ohio High School Athletic Association allows teens to become licensed referees. They can officiate for recreational sports leagues as well as at middle school contests and can expect to be paid about $11 to $25 per hour.
• Retail sales associate : Many kids enjoy working in retail, especially if they have an interest in marketing, retail planning, or fashion design. Although they may start out at minimum wage, they often get an employee discount, which can add up if they tend to shop in the store a lot.
• Tutor : If your teen is particularly gifted in math or science and taking advanced courses, they may want to start a tutoring business. Parents of younger children, and even some high school parents, like to hire students to tutor their children because it's not as expensive as hiring a teacher or a professional tutor. As with lawn care, if your child doesn't want to be their own boss, they can apply to work at a tutoring center.
• Veterinary assistant : For teens who love animals, they may want to check with local veterinarians to see if they hire teens. Often, these doctors will hire teens to clean kennels or walk dogs. They may also ask teens to assist them by calming pets while they evaluate them.

Statistics on Teen Employment

Each year, teen and young adult employment increases between April and July as teens and recent graduates begin looking for employment. However, the number of 16- to 24-year-olds employed in July 2020 was down 56.2% compared to July 2019, reflecting heightened unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were fewer teens employed in July 2020 (peak teen working season) than in February 2020 before the pandemic officially began to take its toll in the United States. Employment rates were lower across the board for different races, with Whites experiencing 49.5% lower rates, Hispanics at 42.6%, Blacks at 39.2%, and Asians at 32.0%.

As the economy improved in 2021, however, more teens were able to find jobs. One study found that 32.4%, or 5.3 million, 16- to 19-year-olds were employed in May 2021. This number reflected an encouraging drop in the unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds. Whereas 30.7% teens in this age range were out of work in May 2020, only 9.5% were unemployed in May 2021.

It seems likely that the downward trend of teen summer employment will continue, though: while the nation had more teens of working age in May 2021 (16.4 million) than in May 2020 (15.9 million), fewer of them held a job. Researchers suggest that fewer entry-level jobs, more teens doing volunteer service, and more summer classes are among the possible reasons for this trend.

In July 2020, 24% of employed teens worked in the leisure and hospitality industry, which also includes food services. However, employment in this industry was down 21% or 1.1 million when compared to July 2019. Teens also were employed in the retail industry (20%) and in educational and health services (11%).

Pros and Cons of Part-Time Jobs for Teens

When determining whether or not a part-time job is right for your teen, it can help to weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision. You also should consider your teen's temperament as well as their existing time commitments.

Learn to manage money

Gain experience

Have less time for risk-taking

Build life skills

Acquire work skills

Have less time for studying

View workplace negatively

Interfere with activities

Might create stress

May lead to substance abuse

Pros of Part-Time Jobs

An after-school job can be good for young people. Here are some of the biggest benefits your teen might gain:

• Financial skills : With support from you, a paycheck can be an opportunity for your teen to learn how to effectively manage finances . Teach your teen to establish a budget so they can practice saving for big-ticket items. 
• Insight into a future job : A good job can give your teen valuable insight into what they may want to do after high school. They may discover they enjoy working with people or they might decide that they want to own a business. If nothing else, a part-time job gives your teen valuable work experience that they can list on future job applications.
• Less time to get into trouble : If your teen heads straight from school to a job, it shortens the amount of free time they have to engage in risky behaviors. They'll be less likely to be bored when a job keeps them busy.
• Life skills : A job could  instill confidence and independence in your teen. If they work with customers, it can teach them how to handle difficult situations and improve their communication skills. 
• Work skills : An after-school job will help your teenager gain work skills—such as how to complete a job application, how to do well in an interview, and how to work for a supervisor.

Cons of Part-Time Jobs

There are definitely some risks teens face when becoming employed. Weigh these drawbacks against the benefits and your teen's particular needs and other risk factors.

• Less time to study : Research shows that students who work more than 20 hours a week have lower grade point averages than students who work 10 hours or less a week. Your teen may have to stay up late to finish their homework or they might put less effort into school when they're employed. 
• Negative impression of work : Working for a disorganized employer or an untrained supervisor could give your teen a negative impression of employment. Unfortunately, studies show teens may become victims of sexual harassment when they become employed.  
• Missed opportunities : Being obligated to work a shift could take away from the high school experience. It could be difficult for your teen to participate in a sports team, drama production, or volunteer opportunity if they have a part-time job.
• More stress : Working too many hours could cause your teen to become stressed out. The purpose of a job is to give your child a little more freedom by earning their own money. If they never have time to spend that money having fun, what’s the point?
• Increased risk of substance abuse : Studies show kids who work are actually at increased risk of drinking alcohol or using drugs . The extra spending money and the added responsibilities may lead some teens to make poorer choices.

Signs a Teen Is Ready for a Job

Aside from having the time and the drive to find part-time employment, there are some additional characteristics that may indicate that your teen is ready for a job.

• Good time management skills : If your teen consistently arrives to school or after-school activities on time, budgets their time effectively, and consistently stays on top of school assignments, then they may be able to handle the added commitment of a part-time job.
• Strong communication skills : Entering the workforce requires the ability to be assertive when necessary. If your teen is confident in communicating with others, they may be ready for part-time employment.
• Sense of commitment and good follow through : Holding down a job requires that your teen be responsible and committed. If they struggle to follow through on projects or honor their commitments, they may not be ready for part-time employment.
• Willingness to be a team player : Having a job requires that your teen know how to get along with other people and complete tasks that they may not want to do at times. If your teen is able to work alongside others with minimal conflict or complaint, they may be ready for a part-time job.

A Word From Verywell

Deciding whether to let your teen get a job isn't a decision you should make lightly. Having a job while in high school is not right for every teen. You will need to determine if your child has the time, the maturity, and the responsibility to juggle a job along with their other commitments.

If you're on the fence, encourage your teen to start with a  summer job . Summer employment won’t interfere with school and it can keep your teen busy during the summer months. If a summer job goes well, your teen may be ready to work during the school year. 

Mortimer JT. The benefits and risks of adolescent employment . Prev Res . 2010;17(2):8-11. PMID:20835367

Indeed Career Guide. How much do referees get paid ?

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment and unemployment among youth .

Pew Research Center. During the pandemic, teen summer employment hits its lowest point since the Great Recession .

Singh K.  Part-time employment in high school and its effect on academic achievement . J Educ Res . 1998;91(3):131-139. doi:10.1080/00220679809597533

Boles AM. Centering the teenage "siren": Adolescent workers, sexual harassment, and the legal construction of race and gender . Mich J Gender & L. 2015;22(1).

Monahan KC, Lee JM, Steinberg L. Revisiting the impact of part‐time work on adolescent adjustment: distinguishing between selection and socialization using propensity score matching . Child Dev . 2011;82(1):96-112. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01543.x

Greene KM, Staff J. Teenage employment and career readiness . New Dir Youth Dev . 2012;2012(134):23-28. doi:10.1002/yd.20012

By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, an international bestselling author of books on mental strength and host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. She delivered one of the most popular TEDx talks of all time.

Part-time Job During High School Essay Example

There are numerous teenagers today who have part-time jobs at fast-food restaurants, grocers, or retail stores. These students have taken advantage of genuine experiences and have discovered how to excel in social environments because of the hands-on experiences that they gained from working. Every teenager should have a part-time job because they get the opportunity to earn their own money, apprehend how to be more responsible, and offer them real-life experiences.

Additionally, teenagers should work part-time jobs because it will give them the chance to earn their own money. There is no need to depend on your parents or ask them for money for that new watch you wanted to buy on Amazon. By students making their own money, they will learn how precious it is and how hard it is to earn; they will come to understand that money does not grow on trees, and they have to watch what they buy because no one wants to see large withdrawals from their bank accounts. In the long-term, these part-time jobs will support teens if or when they decide to go to college or university. The extra money that they make will benefit them. If their parents are paying for school, then the extra cash made will pay for their dorm and food expenses. Also, this income would be used to put teenagers through school if their guardians are not able to afford their post-secondary education. By students receiving a well-earned paycheck after every week, teens will feel accomplished and be proud of their efforts; they will work harder. 

Moreover, teenagers should work part-time jobs because it will help them be responsible. When one has a job, they must show up on time for work and call in when sick. Teens can no longer depend on their parents to make the necessary arrangements, as they are responsible for themselves, as an employee to your employer. When someone is on the clock, they are responsible for their actions because they represent the company. This means that one must not do things or say inappropriate things that will poorly influence the business; you must not "drag the company's name into the mud". When a teenager is working part-time, they need to be responsible by packing their own lunches, in order to not starve while on break and wake up at the necessary times in the morning, afternoon, or evening to be able to attend their work; they will learn time management skills. By students working part-time jobs, they will develop into responsible adult figures instead of being dependable children.

Furthermore, teenagers should work part-time jobs because it will give them real-life experiences. Life is not always bright and lustrous, as many portray it to be. In a work environment, teens will encounter different types of personalities of customers and get a better understanding of society. In this setting, students will meet co-workers that they like and don’t. They will comprehend how to adapt to tough situations and how to deal with individuals who require more attention. An example of this is when one is working at a fast-food restaurant and a customer orders something that the kitchen has run out of. The customer complains about the fact that the store has run out of this specific item. That employee cannot leave the customer furious because it is customer service to please all, ignoring one's ego. In addition, professionalism and realistic situations are the upsides of teens working part-time because of the challenging judgments that they will encounter; they will expand their skills in problem-solving. 

To conclude, there are many benefits of having a part-time job as a student in high school. Teenagers will learn the importance of working hard for a paycheck, being responsible for themselves, and learning how society and community works by encountering different customers. Work will provide them with another unique social environment aside from school, where not everyone thinks the same, talk the same or is the same age. Overall, if a student wants to go beyond education, a part-time job is the place to start, to increase themselves in developing a student's strengths and weaknesses. For example, if they believe that their communication skills are weak, then this part-time job will help further develop their struggling skill. Working will open the eyes of many teenagers and guide them into their futures; experience is key!

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Guide to Choosing Part Time Jobs for Students

Working a part-time job while in college is very common. In fact, 70 percent of college students work part time while completing their degrees. Whether it’s to compensate for rising tuition costs or to supplement your student loan package, if you’re looking for work at the start of the semester, you won’t be the only one. But what kind of job is suitable for a college student to have? Here’s a simple guide to finding a part-time job while in college.

Visit College Career Center

Nearly all colleges have a student career center to help students look for employment and/or shape their career goals. Look for the resources that your institution offers first to see if anything is a good fit for you.

Pick a Place that Supports Your Studies

Some businesses love having students to fill in their part-time slots. And some places don’t understand that your main priority is your education. Make sure that they understand that your studies come first and that they can’t expect you to work the night shift the night before exams. Finding a place that can accommodate your class and study schedules is essential to making the work/study arrangement go smoothly.

On-campus jobs are ideal as you won’t have to waste any time going to and from your job. Whether you’re working as a library assistant or helping one of your professors with their research, on-campus jobs are the perfect option.

These days, remote work is becoming more and more popular, so you may be able to land a part-time job without even leaving your dorm room. You might find a job as an essay writer or do web design.

If you’re not able to land any on-campus jobs or remote work, make sure you choose a place that’s a reasonable distance from your school. It’s not worth it for you to endure a long commute to and from a part-time job. Look for something closer to your school or home.

Does it Pay Enough?

You’re probably looking for a job because you need some extra money to get you through to the end of the semester. Make sure that the hours and the pay are enough to meet your needs. If not, you’ll be sacrificing study time for a job that doesn’t even serve its purpose. Plan a budget beforehand to make sure you know how much you’ll need to make so you can decide which jobs are worth taking. Here are some salary negotiation tactics for college students.

Hotel/Babysitting

Some part-time jobs such as being the desk clerk at a hotel or babysitting involves a lot of free time where you can crack open the books and get some studying in while you’re on the clock. Those types of jobs are ideal for students.

Training for Your Career

It may be possible for you to work at a place that has to do with your major or future career plans. For example, if you’re studying education, you may find some part-time work at a local school. Or if you’re studying nursing, you might find some work at a health center. These jobs have the added benefit of giving you work experience before you’ve even completed your degree.

Low Pressure

It’s important that you choose a job that’s not particularly high stress, nor one that wears you out physically or emotionally. You want a job where you can clock out and walk away after your shift is done without it taking a toll on your non-working hours.

Whatever job you choose, keep in mind that your main focus right now is your education and that the job is secondary. After you graduate, you can focus on your career, but for now, your studies are your main priorities. Make sure this job isn’t taking over your study time.

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Work Experience and College Applications

Learn How Your Job Can Help You Get Into College

• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

When you need to work after school and on weekends, it can be impossible to be involved in many extracurricular activities . Being part of a sports team, marching band, or theater cast simply won't be options for you. The reality for many students is that earning money to support their family or save for college is far more necessary than joining chess club or the swim team.

Key Takeaways: Work Experience and College Admissions

• Colleges value work experience because it shows you've learned responsibility as well as skills with time management and teamwork.
• Colleges won't expect students with significant work obligations to have the same level of extracurricular involvement as students who don't work.
• On the Common Application, paid work and extracurricular activities are grouped together.

But how does holding a job affect your college applications? After all, selective colleges with holistic admissions are looking for students who have meaningful extracurricular involvement . Thus, students who have to work would seem to be at a significant disadvantage in the college admissions process.

The good news is that colleges recognize the importance of having a job. Moreover, they value the personal growth that comes along with work experience. Learn more below.

Why Colleges Like Students With Work Experience

It can be tempting to wonder how someone who works 15 hours a week at the local department store can measure up to someone who stars on the varsity soccer team or took a leading role in the school's annual theater production. Colleges do, of course, want to enroll athletes, actors, and musicians. But they also want to enroll students who have been good employees. The admissions staff wants to admit a group of students with diverse interests and backgrounds, and work experience is one piece of that equation.

Even if your work isn't in any way academic or intellectually challenging, it has a lot of value. Here's why your job looks good on your college application:

• High school students who successfully hold down a job for a significant period of time have proven that they can manage their time effectively. It's not easy to do well in school while devoting significant hours to work, and effective time management is one of the most important skills that will lead to college success.
• Students who have jobs have learned to work as part of a team. You can't be selfish as an employee, for success depends upon working well with your colleagues. These collaborative skills translate directly to college success: you'll be well prepared to negotiate issues with your roommate, work on group projects, and recognize how your own actions impact others.
• If you're working to save money for college, you'll be highly invested (literally) in your college education. The fact that your hard-earned dollars are going towards your education tells the admissions folks that you are fully committed to your education. College isn't a gift that has been handed to you; rather, it is something that you have worked hard to make happen. That kind of commitment has real value for the college in terms of retention rates, graduation rates, and overall student success.
• Even a miserable job flipping burgers or washing dishes has value on your application. You've learned to be responsible, to serve others before yourself, and to make sacrifices to meet your long-term goals. Work experience and maturity tend to go hand-in-hand.
• Finally, you have a perspective that many college applicants lack. You have experienced first-hand the type of work that millions of people do without a college degree. So unless you were lucky enough to get an intellectually challenging job as a high school student, you'll have additional motivation to succeed in college and move on to work that is more personally satisfying.

Are Some Jobs Better than Others for College Admissions?

Any job — including those at Burger King and the local grocery store — are a plus on your college application. As outlined above, your work experience says a lot about your discipline and potential for college success.

That said, some work experiences come with additional benefits. Consider the following:

• Jobs that provide leadership experience. Colleges want to enroll future leaders, and your job can help show your potential on this front. It often isn't possible for a part-time 18-year-old to be a manager, but some jobs such as being a lifeguard, camp counselor, or academic tutor are leadership positions by definition. In other types of jobs, you might be able to ask your supervisor for leadership opportunities. For example, you might be able to help train new employees or help the company with outreach in the community.
• Jobs that show your entrepreneurial ability. It's also impressive if you're entrepreneurial and started your own small business whether making jewelry or mowing lawns. Entrepreneurs tend to be creative and self-motivated, qualities that make for excellent college students.
• Jobs that provide field-specific experience.  If you have a strong sense of what you want to study — whether it be medicine, business, chemistry, art, English, or any other major — work experience in that field will play well with the admissions folks. As an example, a lot of students want to go into medicine because of the attractive salary, not because of any love of the sciences or the profession. An applicant who has actually worked in a hospital and gained first-hand experience will be a much more informed and compelling applicant. Similarly, a future computer science major who has worked in tech support will be able to craft a well-informed and convincing application.
• Internships. As a high school student with a thin resumé and no relevant work experience, you may find it impossible to get a job in your area of study. An internship, however, may be a an option. Many internships are unpaid, but they are nevertheless valuable. Those hours you spend working at a publishing house, law firm, or chemistry lab can open doors to future opportunities, and they give you first-hand knowledge of an academic field (something that most college applicants won't have). If unpaid work isn't an option for you, try a compromise: 10 hours a week in a paid job and 5 hours a week as an intern.

Is It Okay to Have No Extracurricular Activities?

If you're filling out the Common Application , the good news is that "work (paid)" and "internship" are both categories listed under "activities." Thus, working a job means your extracurricular activity section on the application won't be blank. For other schools, however, you may find that extracurricular activities and work experiences are entirely separate sections of the application.

The reality is that even if you have a job, you probably also have extracurricular activities. If you think about the wide range of activities that count as "extracurricular," you'll probably discover that you have several items you can list in that section of the application.

It's also important to realize that your inability to participate in after-school activities doesn't preclude you from extracurricular involvement. Many activities — band, student government, National Honor Society — take place largely during the school day. Others, such as involvement at church or summer volunteer work, can often be scheduled around work commitments.

A Final Word About Work and College Applications

Holding a job doesn't have to weaken your college application. In fact, you can leverage your work experience to strengthen your application. Experiences at work can provide excellent material for your college application essay , and if you've maintained a strong academic record , colleges will be impressed by the discipline required to balance work and school. You should still try to have other extracurricular activities, but there is nothing wrong with using your job to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded, mature, and responsible applicant.

• What Does a Strong College Applicant Look Like?
• What Are the Best Extracurricular Activities?
• Sophomore Year and College Admissions
• Short Answer Response on Working at Burger King
• What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity for College Admissions?
• What Colleges Look for in an Applicant
• The Best Summer Plans for High School Students
• Month-by-Month Senior Year College Application Deadlines
• College Preparation in 9th Grade
• How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be?
• Should You Explain a Bad Grade When Applying to College?
• Can Rubik's Cube and Other Quirky Passions Get You Into College?
• SAT Scores for Admission to Top Michigan Colleges
• College Preparation in Middle School
• Writing a College Resume: Tips and Examples
• ACT Scores for Admission to Cal State

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Paragraph Writing Sample 2 - What are the benefits of finding a part-time job for university students?

Paragraph writing sample 2:  what are the benefits of having a part-time job for university students.

 SUGGESTED IDEAS FOR THIS TOPIC:

• Earning extra money
• Improving their skills
• Gaining experience
• Expanding their social networks

    There are several reasons why working in a part-time job is beneficial for students.   Firstly, students can earn extra money when they have a part-time job. In other words, students can have some extra money in addition to their pocket money from their parents. For example, in our country, many students work in Mc Donalds in order to earn extra money. As a result of this , these students can meet their basic needs such as shoes and clothes. This makes  them happy. Secondly , students can spend their leisure time at their part-time  jobs. For example , students can go  to work rather than go to cafes with their friends. As a result of this , they don’t waste their time so they can expand their social network which they can benefit from after graduation. Finally, by working in a part-time  job, they can gain experience. This creates better opportunities in their jobs after school. All in all , having a part-time  job is beneficial for students in many aspects.

Approximately 166 words / written by Buse (Kadir Has Üniversitesi)

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