Mummy, I am going to get a part time job!

Away from getting on with university work, everybody may seem to have the perception of students wasting away their days watching daytime television and recovering from parties at the weekends. Of course it's tempting to live that life, but it won’t help you launch a career when you graduate unless you know a boss who will let you watch television while you work and take Fridays off. Part time work while studying offers many career benefits, even if they can add up to a heavy schedule around essay and exam time. Here are some tips for making the most of them.

Get a job to improve your skills, not just your bank balance
University life is not getting any cheaper so it's commonplace to give up a few evenings or a day at the weekend to ease the strain on the student loan. The benefits don’t have to end with your bank account getting healthier, if you can find a job that gives you experience other employers value it will be even more valuable.

Plan your vacations
Sure, you need some time away from studying, but vacations are prime periods to get more involved with work that can aid your CV. Internships normally run during the summer and Easter vacations, which may be a course requirement, or a great way to advertise your skills to a potential employer for when you graduate. You could also use a vacation to turn a part time job into a full time one if your workload permits, bumping up your bank balance and perhaps offering more responsibility.

Change your job to broaden your skills base
There is nothing wrong with having one part time job during your whole time at university, but don't be afraid to seek out a change of scene if you are getting bored doing the same thing or feel like a fresh challenge. This can really help strengthen your CV if you can build up a wide variety of skills or show progress. There are normally plenty of part time opportunities for students, although you might want to secure a new job before quitting your current one.

Don’t put paid work first
After all this, remember that you are at university to study. Employers might put pressure on you to work extra shifts, eating into time spent on course work or revising for exams. If this happens, make it clear it is unacceptable and consider leaving. They should understand a degree is more important than a part time job.