Featured Student: Jobs

As a student, it can often be hard to find time for a job. This year, I had to make the tough decision to set aside having the extra income that a job brings for the sake of my school work….and my sanity. In previous years, I had been able to work a job on campus for a few hours per week in between some of my classes. With my class load and cross country practice schedule this year though, it just wouldn’t work without driving me crazy. In an attempt to make up for this lack of work, I made sure I got some good work in during the summer to save up for tuition, bills, groceries, and other expenses that need to be covered during the school year. Saving money on other little things really adds up and can help in times when you can’t find a job that works with your schedule. For example, packing meals and snacks to take with you on campus or when you’re on the road saves a ton of money. Looking for sales at the grocery store, cooking meals at home, going in with your roommates to buy food and prepare a meal to share, preparing or buying food in bulk and saving leftovers, biking or walking instead of driving can save money on gas and parking passes/tickets, and more!

If you do have time for a job though, it can be a great opportunity to get experience. I know I’m always looking for job opportunities that revolve around food, nutrition, or dietetics, but any job is going to provide great experience for the future. Sometimes it’s easy to get frustrated if you can’t find a part-time job related to your field of interest, but any job would teach leadership, teamwork, responsibility, punctuality, and organizational skills that will be beneficial in future careers.

So, there are many things to weigh when considering the job possibilities. Often, on-campus jobs are more flexible with class schedules and are easy to get to between classes, so this is a great place to start looking. Part-time jobs are great for providing extra income and experience, but it’s good to consider your stress level and time for friends, family, and school work as well!

Are you a Dietetics Student who also works outside of classes?  Share your experiences!