How Many Students Work while Going to School?

College students can take on a range of jobs while in school, depending on their availability, experience, talents, and financial needs. In 2018, forty-three percent of full-time undergraduate students and eighty-one percent of part-time undergraduate students were employed at the same time they were enrolled in school.^[1] Of those students, the majority were employed for twenty hours a week or more.

Additionally, only forty-percent of full-time undergraduates ages sixteen to twenty-four were employed while they were in school compared to seventy-eight of part-time undergraduates in the same age range.

Types of Student Employment

Let’s look at the types of jobs college students might have.

Work-Study Programs

Work-study is part-time work that’s awarded to students as part of a financial aid package. Students can often find work-study jobs related to their areas of interest. For example, someone studying biology might have a work-study job taking inventory of lab supplies on campus. Because work-study jobs are a part of financial aid packages, students without work-study as part of their financial aid package may not qualify for these jobs.

Campus Jobs

Not all campus jobs are work-study related. Students may be able to ask their institution’s human resource director or individual campus departments to see if other work is available. For example, the office of the registrar might need help filing papers. It may also be possible to apply to become a resident adviser (RA) and get free room and board in exchange for living on campus and serving as a role model for students. Students may also be able to work in the campus bookstore, the cafeteria, the admissions office, or as a research assistant for their academic department later on in their academic career.

Off-Campus Jobs

Students can certainly explore job opportunities off-campus. Such work might be related to a student’s field of interest—for example, a student interested in journalism might get a job writing ads for a local publication. Or it might be worth seeking a job that’s unrelated to school because it offers the most hours and pay.

Campus Jobs vs. Off-campus Jobs

Some students may prefer to seek work off-campus since they may be able to work more hours and avoid competing with other students for on-campus jobs. On the other hand, some students may prefer on-campus jobs because their work supervisors are more respectful of their academic commitments and the need for flexible hours. If you’re seeking work, your choice might depend on a number of factors including compensation, hours, work schedule, alignment with your academic or career goals, and much more.

Internships

Similar to work-study opportunities, internships are usually related to a student’s area of interest. For example, a marketing student may get an internship working with a marketing director and contributing to the company’s social media campaigns. Internships can provide invaluable work experience, but it can be hard to find ones that are paid. Still, if you’re in a position to work without pay, don’t dismiss the value an internship can add to your resume and your everyday life, especially if you’re exploring career options.

Summer Jobs

Students who are concerned about not having enough time to work during the school year might wait and find part-time or full-time work during the summer break. Such opportunities can be found through one’s guidance counselor, financial aid department, community members, or even online. One disadvantage of summer jobs is that they don’t last very long—the work is typically seasonal.