Part Time Jobs as a Student: A Logical Guide to University Earning

Trying to balance studying with earning isn’t easy, but it’s more than sensible when you apply a structured approach. Depending on your circumstances, different kinds of part time student jobs may appeal to you.

In this guide we’ll take you through the main reasons why getting a part time job makes sense, how to secure one, and some other helpful employability tips.

Why Working Part Time Makes Sense

It’s easy to think about money when considering whether to apply for a part time role at university, but it’s something you need to look past if you’re to successfully find one.

A part time job is more about building your transferable skills. These skills can then be applied to both your studies and your future hunt for a full time position. You should consider the practical experience you’ll gain, as well as the opportunity to meet new people.

According to the Office for National Statistics, almost 56% of students work part time during term time. This proves that it’s a well trodden path, but also isn’t for everyone.

Where to Start: Identifying the Right Role for You

Finding a part time job doesn’t need to be a guessing game. It requires a targeted approach to narrow down your options and discover which industries you want to work in.

1. Be Realistic About Availability

Remember that you are a full time student, and that your schedule is already busy on weekdays. Try to specify that weekend and evening work would be more suitable for you.

2. Play to Your Strengths

If you’re a particularly social person, then a job in retail would be ideal. More of an introvert? Then consider a back of house or digitally based role.

3. Consider a Job’s Location

Always factor in the time and cost of your commute. If a job is more than an hour away from your student accommodation, it might not be the one for you.

4. Align with Long Term Goals

International and mature students tend to put a focus on searching for roles with relevance for their future ambitions. Internships, research assistance, and roles in your area of study can all be beneficial experiences.

Best Places to Find Part Time Student Jobs

Here’s where logic meets action. These helpful resources constantly yield positive results:

University Careers Portal

Most UK universities offer dedicated student job boards that often feature roles around campus. You could work in the student union, or help out on open days. The best thing about these roles are that they’re designed to fit around student schedules.

Job Sites

We all dread it, but sites like Indeed can indeed find you a part time job. Try applying specific filters such as “flexible student job” to focus your search.

Old School Networking

Head to nearby cafés, bookshops, and independent shops and ask if they have part time work available. It isn’t as effective a tactic as it once was, but it’s still worth trying.

Social Media

Some university societies and community forums post informal job leads. These are ideal for people not wanting to take part in a full on job search.

Common Job Types and What to Expect

Retail Assistant

Perhaps the most obvious part time student job, being a retail assistant can be difficult but rewarding. Often involving weekend and evening shifts, working in retails gives you the chance to talk to people and develop your communication skills.

Open Day Monitor

A good temporary role for making some money without signing up to a permanent role. You’ll welcome fellow students to campus and oversee the smooth running of open day at your university.

Barista

A coffee shop can be a hectic environment, but being a barista will teach you some skills that’ll impress your family and friends. Similar to retail, you can expect long shifts on weekends and some early.

Event Staff

If you’re looking for excitement and varies experiences, working at events on a temporary basis can fulfil a need for dynamism in the workplace.

Virtual Assistant or Admin Support

Remote admin roles suit those who like task with clear structure and solid deadlines. Your responsibilities could include data entry, scheduling, or email marketing. In the digital world, the possibilities are endless.

Application Tips That Work

Tailor Your CV

It can take a little longer to create multiple versions of your CV, but it helps to have a specific version for each job you want to apply to.

Keep It Professional

Create a dedicated email for job applications and ensure any voicemails you leave are polite.

Practice Interviews

Even informal roles can have interviews, so it helps to practice your technique and some answers to common questions such as:

• “How do you plan to balance work with your studies?”
• “Tell us about a time you solved a problem”

Request Feedback

If you didn’t get the job despite a good interview, ask the employer where you went wrong. This helps you improve next time, and shows maturity.

Managing Your Time

Strong time management is an essential attribute to have both at university and in a working environment. Consider using shared calendar apps to track shifts, deadlines, social events. This helps you keep everything in order without burning yourself out.

Set yourself attainable, measurable weekly goals. This gives you a sense of achievement without being pushed to your limits.

Try your best to keep at least one day a week free for socialising, relaxing, or doing anything you like.

Earning Smart at University

Part time student jobs are about more than earning a few extra pounds. It’s a step towards financial independence, mastery of your own time, and future preparedness.

So, take a breath and be strategic. Just remember that you’re building a life as well as a CV.

Discover more helpful ways you can navigate life at university on our blog.