Written by Jamie Murphy, Editorial Team, Graduate Prospects..
Feeling the pinch is a fact of student life causing 40% of undergraduates to work during term time and a further 90% throughout vacations according to the NUS. Before you join this statistic consider how you can get the best for yourself and your long-term prospects. Making ends meet may require you taking on a job even if it only pays minimum wage [£4.20 for those over 22, £3.60 for those aged 18 – 22]. An NUS study found that the average hours students worked were between 12.5 – 20 per week. However in many cases this was at a cost to their studies, as 30% of students missed lectures and 20% failed to submit course work on time due to work pressures. Commonly students take low skilled part-time work in the retail and service sectors with the sole purpose of making some money. A DfES research report conducted by the University of Northumbria found that of working students surveyed, 34% were sales assistants, 31% were in catering jobs and 5% in telesales. Each job no matter how menial it may seem have transferable skills that you can refer to on your CV. Working behind a bar may have developed your interpersonal, customer facing and teamworking skills. Shop assistants will have good communication and problem solving skills with experience of selling techniques. For more office based skills temping or call centre work can give you experience of adapting to office environments, managerial styles and in-house IT systems. Call centres often get a bad press but as many call centre operators have flexible working hours, you may be able to work favourable shifts. Nicole Burns, 26, graduated this year. Whilst at university she worked in the call centre of an insurance company giving insurance quotes and amending policies over the phone. ‘I got over £5 an hour and worked 12 hours a week working Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 8pm.’ Working in a call centre role Nicole picked up quite a list of skills which included, ‘sales techniques, business communication skills, team working skills and experience of training newcomers and of working in a business environment.’ It’s uncommon for students to pay income tax. But if you are earning over £80 a week through your part-time job income tax will be deducted, but it’s unlikely you’ll do this in term time. Students taking seasonal jobs through the holidays may find themselves taxed and taxed heavily as tax is based on the assumption you are working all year round – but as you are only there for a few months you can claim some back. As part of the work force it’s important you are aware of common issues and what to do if you have a problem. The NUS together with the Trade Union - Unison have put together a web site with up to date information and advice for students on work problems called Trouble at Work. Above all you must remember your priority is your degree. The report from the University of Northumbria also found that that students who work part-time during term time attain grades 1.7% below those who don’t work. As Chris Hughes careers adviser with the University of Manchester, says: ‘If giving up a part-time job enables you to get a 2:1 rather than a 2:2, then you should consider this option.’ Related topics
Top of page.
| 
