College is expensive. Between tuition, housing, food, books, tech, and tickets, it can be tough to cover all of your expenses. BUT THERE'S HOPE! Many jobs are very accommodating of college students; you just have to look for the right ones!
Part 1: University Jobs
University jobs are FANTASTIC because they actually understand you're a student! They'll work with your schedule and give you the hours YOU want. A few may even be understanding if you have a major exam!
1A) Student Non-Academic Jobs
Suppose you want a job that has nothing to do with what you're studying. That's cool. You probably already get enough of that in class. Luckily, most universities have a variety of jobs that pay well and aren't too stressful.
Some examples:
1B) Student Academic Jobs
It's actually a VERY good idea to consider getting a job that has to do with your field. You'll get some incredible experience, plus it will look AWESOME on a resume. Research shows students who had an academic job with their university have a better chance at securing a job after graduation! Plus, your employer may use you on their website...
University jobs are FANTASTIC because they actually understand you're a student! They'll work with your schedule and give you the hours YOU want. A few may even be understanding if you have a major exam!
1A) Student Non-Academic Jobs
Suppose you want a job that has nothing to do with what you're studying. That's cool. You probably already get enough of that in class. Luckily, most universities have a variety of jobs that pay well and aren't too stressful.
Some examples:
- Athletics (work at the rec center or work for a sports team)
- Housing (work as a RA, or residential assistant)
- Food (work at the many food places available on campus)
- Libraries
- Many more!
1B) Student Academic Jobs
It's actually a VERY good idea to consider getting a job that has to do with your field. You'll get some incredible experience, plus it will look AWESOME on a resume. Research shows students who had an academic job with their university have a better chance at securing a job after graduation! Plus, your employer may use you on their website...
Some of these jobs can be tough to get, but good grades and getting to know your professors will be a massive advantage. The majority of students check with their major's department to see if there's jobs available.
Some examples in the College of Natural Sciences at UT:
- Undergraduate Research
- Learning Assistants (did very well in a particularly tough course? Maybe you can be a learning assistant for that course!)
- UGTA (or Undergraduate Teaching Assistant; you pretty much help the professor teach the course, grade, and help students. These are rare, though.)
- Educational Outreach (teach cool science lessons to kids!)
- Lab Assistant
- Internships
- And much, much more!
Learn more about getting a job at UT here.
Part 2: Non-Univeristy Internships
Whether or not it's with the univeristy, GET AN INTERNSHIP! I can't emphasize this enough! You'll get to try out your field to see if you really like it, plus you'll gain an incredible experience. Who knows? The company you intern with may even offer you a full-time position after you graduate! Plus, many universities may offer college credit.
Here's just a few places where UT students interned AND got college credit:
The do's and don'ts of internships:
DO go to job fairs offered every semester at most universities. Take your resume with you and dress professionally. They may interview you on the spot!
DO check with your major's department to look for internships available (they may have a special link on their website for that).
DO be prepared to work hard. These places aren't easy! Work above and beyond what is required, and they will notice that.
DO network with other students, professors, advisers, and organizations. They may know of good internships that others don't know about!
DO read the fine print on any contract you have to sign for your internship. Some places may give you a laptop, but the contract states that whatever you do on it belongs to the company.
DO start looking a semester ahead of time. Some may fill up fast.
DO check with your department to see if it will count for college credit. Check at least a semester beforehand.
DO NOT wait until the last minute to look. I can't emphasize that enough!
DO go to job fairs offered every semester at most universities. Take your resume with you and dress professionally. They may interview you on the spot!
DO check with your major's department to look for internships available (they may have a special link on their website for that).
DO be prepared to work hard. These places aren't easy! Work above and beyond what is required, and they will notice that.
DO network with other students, professors, advisers, and organizations. They may know of good internships that others don't know about!
DO read the fine print on any contract you have to sign for your internship. Some places may give you a laptop, but the contract states that whatever you do on it belongs to the company.
DO start looking a semester ahead of time. Some may fill up fast.
DO check with your department to see if it will count for college credit. Check at least a semester beforehand.
DO NOT wait until the last minute to look. I can't emphasize that enough!
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