How To Explore Employment Opportunities During Postgraduate Studies
Are you looking for employment while studying for your postgraduate degree? Then you have come to the right place!
Working Part-Time As A Student
Working part-time while studying is a great way to make some extra money, as well as meet new friends and grow your network.
Working part-time is quite common. A study in 2018 showed over 60% of students worked at least one part-time job to fund spending habits, cover expenses or for savings. In the UK, postgraduate degrees can last between one and two years long. Most postgraduate students have employment in a role where they hope to progress in. Others jump straight into studies once they complete their undergraduate degree.
For newer postgraduate students, it’s best to find part-time employment in the field you wish to progress your career in. For example, if you are studying law, it’s ideal to find a part-time role at a law firm and so on. The reason being you could very well stay on after you completed your studies with not only higher pay, but already have a bucket of experience. In some cases, employers may contribute to your study cost to acquire you permanently.
If you are unable to find a part-time role in a study field of your choice, you should try and find a role elsewhere. This can be a field closely related to your field of study, or if not possible, a role with valuable experience.
In addition, do look at freshers fair or a similar event with the introduction of companies. You never know, you could find something you may very well be interested in.
It’s also important to find the right balance in the number of hours you work and study per week, so you don’t burn yourself out. While earning extra funds as a student is recommended, remember your priority is to get your degree.
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On-Campus Job
On-campus roles are also another possibility for finding valuable work experience. Many universities offer roles to students such as assistants, teachers, and research assistants, to working in labs, admin offices, dorm buildings, restaurants and shops. Both on-campus and off-campus roles come with pros and cons.
| On-Campus Roles | Off-Campus Roles | |
| Pros | – Network opportunities with students and faculty – More involvement in the university – No need to commute from job to class and vice versa – By working, you can earn more money while enjoying the universities amenities | – Higher pay compared to campus role – More jobs to choose from: including potential companies related to field of study Less restricted rules than the campus |
| Cons | – Do not pay as much as off-campus roles – Fewer campus job opportunities | – Commute time can vary – More money spent on travelling – Burn out chance is higher |
In Summary
In conclusion, it is up to the student to choose the best place to work. Having a role offers much more flexibility to money in case of fullbacks, but also the experience is key to finding a postgraduate role. We at Lendwise recommend a job in the same field of study, but a related field if not possible.
If you are in need of funding for your postgraduate degree or require a final year maintenance loan to help out with expenses;
*9.2% Representative APR (fixed). Credit is subject to status. Only those over 18 can apply. T&C’s apply.
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