Ah, the balancing act that is being a working student. It’s an experience, isn’t it? I’m sure most of us know the joys of submitting an assignment on your lunch break or using up your vacation days to survive finals week, if your job even offers vacation days.
Working your way through college can be exhausting, but it’s a necessary evil. If you’re going into a field full of starter jobs and internships, you may wonder if a job in your field would be right for you.
As someone who’s spent a few years hopping majors and working a tiny bit in every field that I could, I’m here to help. Here are the biggest benefits I’ve found to working in your field while in college, as well as the biggest hurdles:
PRO: You Get to Have a Test Drive.
You wouldn’t buy a car if you’ve never seen how it runs. Buying a dud car is a waste of thousands of dollars! Your degree costs thousands of dollars too, and takes years of hard work and dedication. If you’re putting in all those resources, you want to be sure that you’re headed down a path you truly love. You have to work anyway; you might as well get a part time job in your field and test drive your career.
CON: You’re Always Doing the Same Thing. Times Two.
Are you the type to get burnt out on a show if you binge watch the whole season? Do you get bored doing the same thing more than once in the same day? If so, that might be something to take into consideration before jumping into your field pre-degree. Ready yourself for working on a project in school, and then working on almost the exact same project later that day, with some content changes.
PRO: Networking Opportunities are Everywhere.
Are you looking to meet more people in your field? Great! Talk to your coworkers. It might sound like an obvious thing, but if you work in your field, you’ll have an easier time connecting with people who have more experience than you do. You can find peers with new perspectives, as well as mentors with insight into what your future could look like.
CON: It’s a Major Balancing Act.
Did you turn that assignment in on time? Are you sure you submitted your hours? When was your final project due again? Work and school can already be hard to balance, but when you work in the same field that you’re earning a degree in it can intensify that struggle big time. It’s important to keep your professors and your supervisors informed on the things you can do and the support you may need.
PRO: Your Resume Will Thank You.
Picture this: You’re fresh out of college with a shiny new diploma. You’re entering the job force as a degree holding professional, and the competition is steep, but you’re playing this game with a cheat code. You don’t just have a degree. You have a degree plus experience. It may not guarantee you a job, but it will certainly make the post-college job search that much easier.
CON: The Pressure is On.
Working in your field has so many benefits! It can look good to future employers, it can boost your chances of getting into grad school, plus the obvious benefit of a job providing income. That said, when working in your desired field it can be easier to feel like you have to do things well on the first try. It can be easy to push too hard and burn yourself out because of some need to make a good impression or to prove yourself. Remember, even if you love the job, your wellbeing should always come first.
PRO: You’ll Have a Head Start.
One of the biggest benefits I’ve found for working in your field is that it introduces you to concepts that you’ll be covering in class later on. You’re basically getting paid for hands-on study sessions! I’ve found myself tutoring other students on classes I haven’t even taken yet, just because I already know the concepts from my professional experience!
CON: Self-Doubt Galore.
When you’re starting off your career, doubt can start to creep in. You get told off by your boss or score lower on a test, and your confidence takes a hit. Maybe it’s because you’re tired, maybe it’s because you’re still just starting out on your career path, but sometimes even the smallest stumbles can feel like huge mistakes. It’s important to remember that you’re still a student. There are going to be some things which you still need to learn.
PRO: Your Peers Get it.
Chances are, if you need a degree for your career, the people you’re encountering for work have also had to get the same or similar degrees to get where they are. This often means that they’re more understanding if you need to change your schedule around to accommodate your education. They’ve been stressed out college students before too, and as long as you’re respectful of your job duties and what your coworkers need from you, they’ll often be cool with making small adjustments so you can continue your studies.
CON: Be Prepared to Change Your Mind.
Remember what we said at the beginning about test drives? Sometimes you’ll take a career out for a spin, and you’ll learn that it really isn’t for you. That’s okay! Better to find out now than later, right? If you find that the field you’ve chosen isn’t everything you wanted, that just means it’s time to embark on a new adventure.
In the end, this is your career. Nobody but you can decide what you do with it. Having a job in your field as soon as possible is a huge advantage, but you should be proud of yourself wherever you are! You’re putting forth the steps that work for you, and that will build a future that works for you too. Good luck on this new semester and keep working hard!
Rain Braddam
Student Writer - Summer '23
Rain Braddam is a digital media student in their early 20s with a passion for music, trees, and talking too much. They spend their free time on their family tree farm, usually reading or baking. Upon earning their bachelor’s degree from Gulf Coast State College, Rain hopes to one day move on to grad school and obtain a master’s degree.
