Cash or No Cash?

A student job can either be a lifeboat in the storm that is university life, keeping your bank balance afloat above £0, or it can be the anchor that drags your attention and time from the whole reason you’re here—to study. The big question is: Can you achieve the balance between student employment and everything else that a university student has to juggle?

With work comes sacrifice, that is unless you have some awesome magical unicorn job which fills you with eternal joy and slots snugly into your life in the clouds. It’s simply a question of what you’re the least attached to: Your social life, your studies, your sleep, or keeping out of your overdraft. Chances are you’ll have to miss out on a few parties or hours in the library in order to earn some extra dollar.

As you make your way through the years of university, your priorities should hopefully change. Time management is an essential life skill which, if you haven’t already mastered, university will teach you. However, to some this does not come naturally. If you are unfortunate enough to be one of these people, a job alongside your studies is probably not the best idea.

Another dilemma is finding the right job for you and your capabilities. Ideally, you want something that will fit in around you. However we live in the real world so achieving this (particularly as a student) is unlikely. Saying this, Manchester, being the bustling city that it is, holds some casual work opportunities that most students can only dream of.

Check out the job opportunities at the Manchester Arena or Old Trafford if you think you may need a cash injection every once in a while. On the other hand, try to find an opportunity that will compliment your studies whether that be some holiday work experience or some freelance work for a relevant company or brand. Keep track of new skills that you learn to really boost your CV.

Unfortunately, not all of us have access to the same level of financial support and therefore for some, getting a job is mandatory to fund the expenses of student life. The kind of job you choose could impact your studies in a different way. If you’re a bit of a night owl, guilty of watching television into the early hours of the morning and deliberately choosing lectures that don’t start until after midday, a bar or restaurant job could be for you.

Those of you who prefer the light of day, on the other hand, may prefer a role in retail, but be prepared to sacrifice those weekend house parties in favour of an early start in the Arndale Centre! But don’t be fooled into believing that student jobs are limited to the retail or hospitality industry, you can do anything you like—as long as it fits around your lectures!