By Tanvi Hathiramani
Being a college student and maintaining a job may seem grueling, but it’s a transforming experience. And that’s coming from someone who’s managed to do it for the past three semesters while still keeping up in Greek life, a social life and family.
I grew up constantly being called spoilt, and told I had “only child syndrome.” So when I got to college and joined a sorority I made it a point to get a job, or make ends meet somehow, so I wouldn’t constantly ask my parents for money. And little by little, I became obsessed with the idea of having my own money.
In high school I was never allowed to have a job, and when fall semester came around, my parents and I agreed that I’d only take a job if it taught me something, or benefited my major. Four weeks later I was working at a smoothie shop, as a journalism major.
At the beginning I hated my schedule. I refused to accept that new employees have to take what they can get, and my nasty attitude ruined my experience. I was dealing with people who made me question if people even had brains anymore. But in the end it was all a learning experience, it taught me what I needed to know about how to balance work and school, and how to pick the right job for me.
And now I’m here to do the same for you:
- Find a job relating to your major: If you want to make quick cash or need to support yourself immediately, then be my guest. If you’re like me then don’t settle for the first job you get. Don’t waste your time doing something that will have absolutely no benefit towards your career or schoolwork.
- Find a job close to home: If you’re trying to save up, DO NOT take a job that’s going to cost you your paycheck in gas. I live close to Doral and I almost took a job that required me to be in Kendall at 9 am twice a week. And after a screaming match with my parents I realized how irrational I was being in taking the job. Don’t be me.
- If you notice your employer taking advantage of you– QUIT: After I quit my job, I worked little odd jobs. One common thing I noticed amongst my employers was that they all knew which college students they could take advantage of. I was one of them. Whether it was delaying my paycheck (knowing I couldn’t fight them) or telling me I’d make a commission and then NEVER paying me, I learned that if you don’t speak up, they’ll continue to use and abuse their power.
- Use your planner: At one point work was taking over, and I was losing touch of what I actually was– a college student. Instead of studying for my tests, I was coming in early to gossip with my coworkers. I never knew the right days to ask off, and by the time I figured it out, I had already been scheduled to close the night before an exam.
- Pack your lunch from home: I need to practice what I preach but seriously, I pay close to $9 a day on lunch at FIU, and just because I’m too lazy to pack my lunch the night before or make a sandwich in the morning. I’m spending $45 a week which could go into something more useful, like my non existent gas money.
- Make sure to be social with your co-workers but not too social to the point where you’re overstepping: You always want to make sure you’re building relationships with the people you’re working with. And when I say relationships I don’t just mean connections for the future. Work can get pretty boring if you’re just sitting at your desk for 8 hours without a single word to anyone besides your boss.
Through trial and error I landed the perfect job for me, and I couldn’t be more content. And I truly hope that if you’re reading this, you find the perfect job that’ll make you happy.
Photo retrieved by Flickr.
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