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Having a Job in College

It isn't rare that a college student might find themselves scrounging around for a few extra bucks. After all, with doing laundry, going to the dollar theater and running out of meal points, we've got a lot on our plates.

A great way to reverse the "poor college student" stereotype is to GET A JOB! Now you may be saying, "I don't have time to have a job!" or "I just want to focus on my education!" While those are good reasons to be void of a job and for those of you who can relate to those reasons, you are excused and may or may not continue to read this article. For the rest of you, listen up.

There are many positives to having a job while in college. First off, you get money. Let me repeat myself ... YOU GET MONEY! Seriously, when it comes to being a college students, money is a great thing. Unless of course you let it take control of your life. That's never a good thing. In addition to money, having a job helps fill that time where you'd most likely be sitting at your desk surfing the net not being productive. It's a great way to keep yourself responsible and on top of things. It'll help you schedule out your time more wisely. Depending on what your job is, it's a great place to make new friends and learn to work alongside different people.

Of course, if there are positives, there must be negatives. Right? Right. So, yeah, the money thing is great, but what about when you want to go to that concert or go to the football game, but you can't because you couldn't get anyone to switch shifts with you last minute? Definitely a negative. Or what about when all of your friends decide to go out to eat after class but you can't because you have to high tail it to work? Also a negative. (Although, without a job, you wouldn't have the money to go to the concert or out to eat with your friends. Think about that.)

Overall, having a job while you're in college is a great thing, whether it's serving up coffee at the local Starbucks or stocking shelves at Walmart. Find a job that fits with your life, schedule and interests and it'll almost be like your not even working!

- Jake Ford