It is no secret that post-secondary education is highly demanding. From course loads, to balancing extra curricular activities, to maintaining a functional bank account, things can get pretty overwhelming and fast. Transit time can take a huge chunk out of your day and pile on added stress that you most definitely do not need. Luckily, colleges and universities both big and small provide numerous job opportunities for students. This way you can localize your work situation; by narrowing your day to one location you can compartmentalize things that need to be done and organize your life and mind accordingly.

What does your educational institution have to offer?

There are two kinds of jobs offered at universities: ones that are related to your educational field of choice or interests in some way, and ones that are run of the mill service or retail etc. When I was in university I worked on the university paper. As a Creative Writing and English major and a general written word enthusiast, this was perfect for me. It threw me into the field in a way, provided me with a bi-weekly pay-cheque and put me in close proximity to every one of my classes. Alternatively, jobs like pub server and bookstore clerk can provide an academic escape and break of sorts. Here is a breakdown of jobs available at most universities and colleges:

• Student government positions
• Student newspaper positions
• Book store clerk
• Faculty secretarial or task positions
• Teacher’s assistant positions
• Library assistant
• Equipment check-out attendee
• Work study programs and research positions
• Pub positions
• Baristas and sales associate positions
• Campus media assistants
• Cafeteria and dish-washing positions

Long-term Affects

Having university-based jobs on your resume shows that you committed in some way to your schooling at a proactive level. Those who work on-campus have more time to study and are less likely to be late for classes and meetings than if they worked off campus. Being at your university for work can also help build strong mentoring relationships with professors and build bonds with your peers. This is not to say that it is good to constantly be at your university. Everyone needs a break, but with the strain of post-education sometimes a little world building can help to organize the strains of school and money. You may be able to take on more projects with less transit time and also include a lot more downtime in your day.