Even with affordable student accommodation in Liverpool, funding your busy student lifestyle can become tricky as each term goes on and their funds dry up.
That’s why many students studying in Liverpool choose to get themselves a part-time job!
But is this the best option for you? Keep reading to find out the pluses and minuses of student jobs!
Types of student jobs
If you live in student accommodation in Liverpool city centre, you have an array of openings to choose from and don’t have to travel far to get to work.
Typically, the following jobs are popular with students in Liverpool due to their inner city location, shift work patterns and flexible hours:
- Retail Assistant
- Barista
- Bartender
- Theatre usher
- Waiter/waitress
- Food delivery driver
- Lifeguard
- Student Ambassador
- University admin assistant
The pros of getting a part-time uni job
Check out the many top benefits of working whilst at university:
- You gain more financial freedom
Probably the most appealing prospect of a student job is the cash on offer.
With so many socials, food shops and Netflix subscriptions to fund, maintenance loans can often only get students so far.
But, with a healthier financial buffer, students such as yourself can live a little more carefree and enjoy every aspect of their time at university.
This means you can explore Liverpool’s many attractions, shopping centres, eateries and bars without worrying too much about your bank balance.
- You meet new people
If you’re a social butterfly and love making new friends, then a uni job could be the perfect move for you!
You never know what doors meeting new people could open – from fruitful friendships to future business connections, getting a job whilst studying may be the best decision you ever make.
What’s more, working with new people could pave the way for an exciting introduction to unique cultures and backgrounds you may not be familiar with, which can be exciting and fulfilling.
- You gain a sense of independence
Although many students choose to leave home and live in student accommodation in Liverpool, a student job can further your independent living experience and smoothen your future transition into working life.
While having a bucket-load of free time and few responsibilities is the stuff of dreams (why can’t it be like this forever!?), the real world is very different.
But trust us, the feeling of standing on your own two feet and earning money is beyond satisfying and can help to build confidence, too!
- You can add new skills to your CV
Although you may be planning to enter a different field with your degree, some of the skills and responsibilities you learn while working a part-time job are transferable.
Here are a few examples of transferable attributes that you can develop with a uni job:
- Time management
- Dealing with conflict
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Team working
Although it may not seem too relevant, these useful skills could give you the edge over another candidate in the eyes of a future employer.
- You could be entitled to a staff discount
Even with a pocket full of wages, discounts are music to the ears of the student population. You could argue that you have your student discount, but this may not be valid everywhere.
But, if you get yourself a job in one of your fave retailers or restaurants, you can often reap the rewards of a staff discount.
You’ll need to check the role description and benefits beforehand to see whether a staff discount is one of the perks of that particular job.
The cons of part-time student jobs
Of course, you need to weigh up the pros and cons of a student job to decide if it makes sense for you – with this in mind, here are the downsides:
- You’ll have less free time
You won’t have as much spare time if you decide to get yourself part-time work.
Yet, given that jobs for students aren’t full-time, you’ll likely still have more than enough relaxation periods throughout the week to live comfortably!
For example, you could choose to do two shifts a week depending on your needs, which isn’t too strenuous.
- It could hinder your study schedule
By sacrificing free time to earn extra money, you could potentially cut into your independent study time. This is more of an issue when the exam seasons hit, although you could just ask for fewer shifts.
If you’re worried about sacrificing study periods, you can combat this by sticking to a strict study schedule that fits around your shifts and downtime – so there’s no need to panic!
- It may cause you stress
Any job can be stressful at times, even part-time student roles.
During hectic periods, you could be rushed off your feet all shift or frequently deal with problematic customers that drive you insane. This can be overwhelming and draining, resulting in stress you could live without.
However, jobs aren’t usually consistently stressful – and even if they are demanding from time to time, these situations are a part of life, which ties back into independence and gaining a taste of the real world.
So, is a part-time student job worth it?
Getting a job while studying at university is certainly worth it if you can effectively balance work and study during exam season.
A student job can make the wait for your next maintenance payment less painful, and allow you to treat yourself throughout the year without impacting your bank balance.
Contact the Liverpool student accommodation specialists
Looking to sort next year’s student accommodation for you, or you and your pals? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
With our modern yet affordable student accommodation, Liverpool students can live a life of luxury without spending a fortune! We have student flats across the city centre and student houses in Kensington, perfect for a wide range of needs.
To book a viewing or to speak with a team member, get in touch today! us today on 0151 318 4743 or email us at enquiries@carolettings.com to get the process started.
