Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Balancing act
Working and studying at the same time can be tough, but managed properly, it can contribute much to your chosen career path. Ayesha Inoon has more
As we reach the end of our school lives many of us look forward to the exciting new world of freedom that awaits us – particularly the challenge of our first jobs and everything that comes with it; independence and responsibility for oneself. The days are gone when one had to wait for years to finish higher studies before looking for a job.

Today combining part-time work and study has become a way of life for the majority of students in higher education. In addition to earning money, working part-time can increase your knowledge of different careers and develop skills that employers of graduates look for, such as teamwork, communication and time management skills. A college degree is always more valuable, if it comes with the additional benefit of work experience.

Rakhitha, 22, a Trainee Software Engineer at IFS, who is reading for a BSc. in Information Technology, says that juggling work and studies is challenging, and has a lot of benefits, particularly if your job is related to what you are studying. Work experience gives you an edge over other students, he says, even when submitting assignments, since the ones submitted by those working part-time are always of a higher quality than of those who are full-time students.

He adds that when it comes to social life, he might have to make some sacrifices – he might not get to spend as much time with his friends as he would like to, but in the long run he feels it is definitely worthwhile.
While a part-time job can be a good idea, it is important not to lose sight of your priorities – the heady feeling of having your own money for the first time can make you lose sight of the long term goal of a higher qualification. Many students end up endlessly postponing examinations and dragging out the duration of their studies for an unnecessarily long period, as they are unable to cope with the extra work-load.

Mahesha, 25, who has been a Banking Assistant for the past five years, has found it quite tough to cope with her CIM as well as Banking examnations. “It depends on the type of job you are doing. When there are long and inflexible working hours, it can be hard to fit in studies,” she says. She feels that while working can give you invaluable experience and exposure, in some cases it might be better to complete your degree before you start working, as a degree will probably get you a good post and enable you to go up the ladder much faster in your career.

Still, it is a fact that many modern employers are reluctant to hire people on the basis of their paper qualifications alone. Ahmed, a General Manager of a Multinational Company says, “Today’s employer doesn’t mind if an employee is training or studying as he sees it as an advantage to the growth of his company. The employee will also be able to use his work background to prove academic theories and vice versa.” He adds that companies today are in a constant state of flux and change, and employees need to keep expanding their knowledge and keep up with new trends. Many companies are willing to sponsor an employee’s education, if they feel that it will benefit the company by improving his or her performance.

Sometimes a part-time job can be purely for earning a little extra cash, and be completely unrelated to your studies. Chris, a waiter at a popular fast food restaurant, who is also doing a course in Marketing, says that his job allows him to meet people, learn about teamwork and customer service skills, as well as earn him enough money to meet his personal needs without being a constant burden on his parents. He feels that he will have enough time to look for a full-time professional job once he finishes his studies.

Embarking on a new course of study can also be a good way to explore different career options, if you feel that you are ready for a change, or find that your current job is not as satisfying as you would like it to be. Learning a new language or taking a course in psychology may turn out to be incredibly interesting and open your mind to other opportunities.

Working part-time has many benefits – apart from the cash – it does contribute to your social life. Working with friends and colleagues in an office environment can be enjoyable and great fun. Make the most of this, but do not lose sight of the other more long-term benefits that working part-time can bring, such as personal development and learning various skills. Also, never underestimate the importance of your main goal; a degree or diploma that will make you a professional in your field.

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