Written by: Alexis Dewey
When I was younger, my parents gave me an allowance for completing my chores. I was paid on a biweekly schedule and had a salary based on my age. For example, when I was 7 years old, I got paid $7 every two weeks. And, when I turned 8, I got paid $8!
Seven or eight dollars seemed like a lot when the only place I ever shopped was the Dollar Tree. I always spent the money as soon as my mom handed it to me. I just could not stay away from those $1 Barbie dolls. Now, years later, I have a job and get paid slightly more than $8 an hour, but I am not shopping at Dollar Tree anymore.
When I was a junior in high school, I got my first job. I was working part-time in retail after classes. I loved going to work every day, but the hard part was learning how to balance working 20 hours a week and going to school.
Coming into college, I noticed that a lot of freshmen, and even some upperclassmen, struggle with time management. Figuring out how to balance your course schedule, intramurals, social life and a job, if you choose to have one, can be tricky at first.
Another stressor and a struggle for a lot of students is money management, according to Anne McDaniel, an associate director of research and data management at Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life. Let’s be honest. Southern does not always give us the best conditions for learning money management skills. If you are on a meal plan, you are creating a habit of spending $10 or more on every meal, every day. That is neither very realistic nor the wisest choice for a post-collegiate lifestyle when you are trying to figure out the “real world.”
I am now a senior in college, and having a job and my own money has taught me more than a classroom ever could. As a transfer student, it surprised me when I saw how many of the students here at Southern did not have jobs. Even if your parents are paying your tuition bill, that does not mean you should not have a job.
Not having the experience of working in college is a huge loss. Learning how to manage your own money and be responsible are important skills to learn before graduating and heading into the working world. Studying money and time management in a classroom will not give you the same benefit or skills you’d acquire by having a job or other responsibilities.
Southern requires many of its majors to complete summer internships, which are great because they get you into the working field and normally provide wages or a stipend. However, having a job or internship during the school year is also beneficial.
According to an article published on the Berry College website, job experience gained while in college is more appealing to your future employer, as well.
A report by Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, Michelle Melton and Eric W. Price states that “Early work experience forms good habits and helps students make career connections.”
Working also helps students form a larger network to access once they graduate from college, according to an article published on Indeed.
“As employees, students may have the opportunity to display their unique skills and capabilities, which could catch the attention of their colleagues or managers,” the article states. “This means that as students develop their network contacts, these professionals may already know about the students’ abilities and can recommend them for positions or suggest professional development programs.”
These are only a few examples of the benefits you can reap while working in college. I understand that some students may feel that they do not have the time to work, due to their studies. However, working short hours every week can actually improve your grades, according to the Berry College article.
Even if you work only five hours a week, I think it should be a requirement for graduation to have at least one job, on or off campus, for one semester. Learning how to speak with someone who is your boss and not just your professor is very helpful.
Having a job while in college is a learning experience that students cannot get in a classroom, and more students should take advantage of that.
Editor’s Note: To submit a piece or pitch an idea for the opinion column, email apdewey@southern.edu. My inbox is also always open to comments, questions and critiques.
