• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Career / 10 Ways to Find and Love Your College Job

10 Ways to Find and Love Your College Job

January 29, 2015 //  by Matt Howard

Shares10FacebookTweet

You’ve squared away your loans and paid off your textbooks. Everything seems to be going smoothly until you realize that you’re broke. Feeling low on cash during the school year can leave you bored, sick of dining hall meatloaf and scavenging for early birthday gifts from your family. It’s no secret that securing a job that fits your class schedule isn’t easy. But if you’re hungry for that extra moola, here’s how to make it work.

1. Jump on it ASAP

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

All it takes is one bed and a Netflix account to slow down the application process. Whenever you feel tempted by the comfort of infinite television, remember Ohio University senior Malcolm Pullom’s view: “Plan ahead,” he said. “By the time you get back to school and start, the positions will already have been filled.” Don’t fret too much if you can’t get back to school early to job hunt; most franchises will let you apply online and even interview over the phone.

2. Dress up

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

Remember that going to an interview overdressed can be a stepping-stone toward a job. When Malcolm Pullom interviewed at UniversiTees, a clothing store on the Ohio University campus, he felt confident. “Going to my interview prepared professionally and showing that it is something I really want to do set me apart from everybody else,” said Pullom.

3. Keep your friends and family close

wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org

“My sister was the manager at a market and knew the person in charge of hiring, so she asked him if I could have a job. I interviewed with him, and he asked if I wanted the job and I said yes so they hired me on the spot pretty much,” said Ohio University junior Teddy Thieken. He knew which move to take when he took his sister’s help. It’s possible to snag a job by resume and interview alone, but knowing someone that’s on the inside will give you a leg up on the competition.

4. Stay stress-free

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

College jobs are there to give you a little spending money while not adding to stress from classes. Ohio University junior Schuyler Fastenau works in Nelson Dining Hall on campus and the environment there is far more relaxing than any job he has ever held at home. He especially loves the accessibility–say goodbye to that commute! “I don’t have to worry about somebody coming in for me or waiting for me in a car outside of my job in a college environment.”

5. Stick with on-campus business owners

wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org

College life is filled to the brim with people who are more laid-back than those in the “real” world. Jessica Shelton, a sophomore at Wright State University, works off-campus at an Outback Steakhouse. “Because of my schedule I can only work a couple of days a week,” Shelton said, “and my managers don’t really understand that because no other college kids work there.” Unlike off-campus business owners, those on-campus understand the hectic life of a student.

6. Enjoy your coworkers

flickr.com
flickr.com

It may seem far-fetched at first glance, but figuring out who you will be working with can make or break a job. “An element most people don’t consider is when they blindly apply,” said Alex Charavell, a recent Ohio University graduate. “It doesn’t hurt to scope out the people working there to see if you will fit in there.” Remember that a healthy and fun work environment can lead to useful job experience and fantastic professional connections. “Don’t waste your time working somewhere you hate,” said Rebekah Burke, a sophomore at Housatonic Community College.

7. Learn about yourself

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

Working while in school can lead to fantastic benefits (besides the paycheck). Alexandria Breck, a student at Arizona State University, not only learned how hard a worker she is but also that treating yourself is a vital step in the cluttered process of higher education. “When you do something successfully over a long period of time that practice becomes excellence,” she said. “It’s good to observe what you are doing right every once in a while and not be too focused on what’s next.”

8. Don’t lose faith

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

Finding a job can feel daunting, but there is no need to overload worry onto the matter. Don’t pout away from every employer that turns you down. Taylor Camp, a sophomore at the University of Arizona, keeps it professional: “If and when I apply for jobs but do not get them, I try to always e-mail the employer to thank them for their time,” she said. “It’s nice to gain a sense of closure after job interviews.” The employer will appreciate your positive attitude. Who knows, you may decide to apply again in the future when you’re a better fit for the position.

9. Don’t overdo it

versique.com
versique.com

There is nothing worse than knowing that you are behind in classes because of your job. “Only get one job if you don’t think you can handle more than your school work,” said Elise Odougherty, a sophomore at Ohio University. The same can be said when dealing with free time. “In undergrad, I worked three jobs,” said Olivia Stapp, a San Francisco State graduate. “Honestly I worked so much during undergrad and post-grad that everything was stressful.” Remember that there is nothing wrong with working a little less while in school; only take what you can handle.

10. Get paid

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

You are an adult and deserve to be treated as such. “Value your labor,” Stapp said. “Don’t let people get away with not paying you for something you should get paid for. Don’t let employers walk all over you.”

Happy job hunting and let us know what you learned along the way in the comments.

Shares10FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Career Jobs & Internships

About Matt Howard

Matt Howard is a junior at Ohio University studying Advertising while specializing in English and Creative Writing. He strives to become the Doctor's next companion while writing about the topics that deserve recognition.

You May Also Like

Painting strokes image

CM Creates: How to Become a Professional Painter

5 Tips for Getting Your Social Media Ready for the Professional World

resume styles

College Magazine’s Guide to Resume Styles for Landing the Job

Community College Professor walks through the halls

Higher Education: Why Teaching Community College Makes the Ideal Career

College Magazine’s Guide to the Engineering Major

Writer

How to Use Your Creative Writing Degree: 10 Tips and Tricks

corporate

7 Insider Tips on How to Climb the Corporate Ladder

career development

How Your College Career Center Can Land You a Job During COVID-19

how to become a software engineer

College Magazine’s Guide to Becoming a Software Engineer

CM Guide Health Science

College Magazine’s Guide to the Health Science Major

Overview of three people at a desk working

Work in the Way? 10 Guilt-Free Reasons To Leave Your Job

10 Office Ethics Commandments That Apply to Daily Life

What Is a Good Credit Score and How Do I Get One of Those?

10 Invaluable Skills You Get from Learning and Working Virtually

future teacher

CM’s Ultimate Guide to the English Education Major

Finance Managers

Become the Next Warren Buffett: CM’s Guide to Portfolio Management

cover letter

The Cover Letter: Your Secret Weapon into the Professional World

peace corps

Top 10 Well-Kept Secrets to Succeeding in the Peace Corps

online portfolio

10 Steps to Building an Impressive Online Portfolio in 2020

woman on the phone

Bridge the Gap: CM’s Guide to the Interpreting Profession

internships

How To Make Your Internship Work For You

professionals working together

CM’s Guide to the Public Relations Major

doctors medical school good majors for medical school

10 Good Majors For Med School that Aren’t Biology

woman working a remote job

Remote Job Offers: 10 Tips to Help You Make Up Your Mind

Previous Post: « 10 Ways to Optimize your Last Semester of College
Next Post: Freshman Year: Finally Free to Come out of the Closet »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

CampusLife_sm
53

CM’s Top 10 Schools Doing Residential Life Right

coffee w heart
14

A Barista’s Guide to Making Delicious Coffee Drinks at Home

7

5 Tips for Getting Your Social Media Ready for the Professional World

tv
5

10 Popular Anime Shows You Need to Binge ASAP

Featured Chapter: UCLA

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.