With the stress often accompanying post-secondary education, the last thing on students’ minds is getting a job. Haven’t they got enough to worry about? Well, as daunting as it may seem to pick up a part-time job, there are pros and cons to working in your very own school.

Benefits of a Job on Campus

First thing’s first, you’re on campus! You no longer need to worry about arriving late or getting lost on your way there. (Well, you may need to worry about tardiness, but that’s a whole other can of worms.) A job on campus also helps you know your way around, especially if you’re still relatively new. Not to mention, you also save on gas or bus money since you can probably walk straight there.

One of the best things about working on campus is the opportunity for networking. Just like with off-campus jobs, you never know who you’ll stumble into. A professor, faculty member, or even involved student can stumble into your workplace one day where you can build rapport for down the line.

Also, and this should be obvious; you get to make money. Yes, it’s far more important for some students to focus on their grades than a paycheque. But, some students don’t mind balancing the two if it means they can earn a little something extra. Sometimes, it isn’t even considered “extra”, however. Sometimes, students must work in order to pay their way through school because they do not have the same support financially, as others- it is becoming more and more common these days.

That said, why not kill two birds with one stone? Some campus jobs offer you the chance to work with professors or in communities that look great on resumes. You get to pick up experience, become better acquainted with staff and faculty, and better your chances of the job you want once you graduate. Plus, depending on where you work and for how long, you may be eligible for awards and bursaries rewarding your campus involvement.

Disadvantages of a Job on Campus

An important factor when deciding whether to pick up an on-campus job is the money. Sure, you’ll make it, but it’s probably going to be less than what you’d make outside of your school. Unless you work as a research assistant or something similar, jobs in pubs or stores probably won’t pay as much as you’d expect.

Another factor is that you may not have a lot of options. Chances are, people already have the position you want and it’s not like a ton of opportunity pops up during the school year. Especially not as frequently as the outside world. So, you may be stuck with a less than savoury gig until you find something better.

The Bottom Line

It really all depends on your time, schedule, and personality in the end. Are you interested in networking with those on campus? Would you rather spend the gas money for a job that’ll ultimately pay better? Are you too slammed with homework to even think about a job?

Consider these questions before making the leap. Once you’ve weighed your options, it’ll be easier to make the final decision.