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Student life-after you start

Student jobs

Looking to find student jobs over summer, over Christmas or during your studies? We’ve got some top tips to help you save and keep the money coming in.

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CONTENTS

  1. Examples of student jobs

  2. Work on campus

  3. Volunteer

  4. Your rights

So, you’ve already tried searching for ‘jobs near me’ but you’re not having much luck. Not to worry. While finding a job may initially seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be if you know where to start.  

Your university careers service 

Speak to a careers advisor at your university as most institutions will have a free careers service. Here you can find out about the latest vacancies for roles on campus and get advice for finding part-time work. 

Student job boards 

You can also refer to student job boards such as Save the Student, Student Job and e4s to see the latest part-time opportunities. 

Use the university job shop Most students' unions have a university job shop, hosting a whole range of ad hoc employment. Register online and there will probably be a regular newsletter to keep you informed of the latest vacancies. 

Get out there and meet people There's a lot to be said for dropping into local pubs, restaurants and shops to ask if there are any vacancies. It can serve as an opportunity to make a good impression and, who knows, perhaps they’ll make a vacancy for you. 

Look for Christmas jobs well in advance Naturally, the retail and hospitality sectors become much busier at Christmas and many businesses will be looking for extra staff. Make sure you apply as early as possible, at the end of summer or the start of autumn as these positions can be in high demand. 

If all else fails, look for alternative methods Take part in market research, become a ‘mystery diner’, sell your design work, try tutoring, freelance and so on. If you’re willing to put the time in to look around, there’s bound to be a way you can make a bit of extra cash. 

As a student, you have a number of job options available for you to explore, which include: 

  • Retail 

  • Hospitality 

  • Seasonal jobs 

  • Internships 

Alternatively, it may be possible to find an internship with a company that is relevant to the subject you're studying. In certain circumstances, interns who carry out work for an employer may be entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Part-time jobs 

Getting a part-time job not only provides some extra pocket money, but it’s also an opportunity to meet new people and extend your network. It can have a positive impact on your life in a number of ways. 

Money Need we say more? The extra cash from part-time work lets you comfortably cover the cost of living, sometimes even leaving a little aside for fun. 

Budgeting Students who earn their own money tend to spend it wisely. Part-time jobs are often tough, and hard-earned money can be painful to part with. In short, students are more likely to save their money for necessities such as textbooks and rent.  

Time management Students with jobs typically have less free time. This predisposes them to become more organised and better planners, learning to weigh their priorities in order to meet deadlines. Effective time management benefits both your studies and life after university. 

Boredom You'll have less time to feel this. The combination of studying and having a job means there’s little time to get bored. 

Your future Use your part-time job to get an introduction to a career or area of interest you hope to pursue after university. The experience will help you stand out from the crowd in interviews, and you can begin networking with others in your chosen field. Forming professional relationships at this early stage will help your chances of gaining employment after graduation. 

Transferable skills A part-time job can provide you with a skill set much in demand by graduate employers:  

  • Commercial awareness – a common complaint from employers is of a lack of commercial awareness in graduates. You’ll be exposed to working in a commercial environment, an experience which will help you stand out from the crowd 

  • Teamwork – you’ll likely work as part of a team, which equips you with the skills needed to work with people of varying personality. This will help you work on group projects at university, as well as being of great benefit through life in general 

  • Initiative – in the workplace things will go wrong. How will you react to the unexpected? Keep a note of problems solved and disasters averted – you can use these to your advantage when it comes to interviews 

  • All of the above, combined with the initiative you’ve shown in working whilst studying, will show employers that you’re ambitious and have an excellent work ethic 

When looking for part-time work, why not have a look on campus. During the summer, professors may be looking for research assistants, or there might be some work in a university facility such as the library. Find useful guidance for international students seeking part-time work from the National Association of Student Employment Services

Volunteering is also a way to use your spare time in between study, work and travel. There are plenty of clubs and societies on campus to join, with events often looking for a number of volunteers. 

Outside of uni, there may be volunteering opportunities to explore. You can pick an area you're passionate about, whether that be in sport, social care, education, arts or conservation. This can be a great addition for your CV too, as it shows a willingness to offer your time and services regardless of the money. 

Part-time work 

  • A student working part-time has the same rights as a full-time employee 

  • The UK has a National Minimum Wage that all employers must abide by 

  • The NMW for a student aged between 18 and 20 is £6.83 per hour; for those 21 and 22, the NMW is £9.18 per hour; for 25 and over it's £9.50 

  • Find out more about working part-time and your employment rights at gov.uk 

National Insurance number 

To work part-time while studying, a National Insurance number is required. This ensures all tax and national insurance contributions made while working are recorded correctly. Find out more about National Insurance from HM Revenue & Customs

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