If you are pursuing a degree in Trinidad and Tobago, you may believe that there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete your coursework and squeeze in a full-time job. Some employers ask about the job experience you have in order to provide you with a job opportunity. So in order to accommodate that you may want to try part-time jobs. Find out the benefits and the challenges that a part-time job adds to your career.
Perhaps you can afford to go to university without the additional income from a job or else you’re content to take out student loans and repay them at a later date.While this tactic can be a successful one, following it means you miss out on an array of benefits both tangible and intangible. Here are a few of the most important starting with the most obvious.
1.Money & Budgeting
Do you want to leave college with an enormous amount of student debt? Are you willing to go through 3-4 years spending the bare minimum? If you don’t receive a scholarship or bursary, the cost of college in Trinidad and Tobago is considerable.
We will use the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as an example. The Halls of Residence Fees for a Double Room in the Milner Wing will cost you TT$10,415 (approximately $1,540USD) per annum. For a one-bedroom apartment in Sir Arthur Lewis Hall, you’ll pay TT$31,005 a year (or $4,600USD). That’s just accommodation! The university estimates a total cost of TT$70,000 a year (around $10,300USD) when you include food, books, and other associated fees.
For an increasing number of students, a part-time job is essential to cover those fees. Another benefit of a part-time job is that it improves your level of money management. Earning an income is a terrific confidence booster, and it gives you more wriggle room to enjoy the college experience truly.
You’re far less likely to spend your money frivolously when you earn it through hard graft. Students with a permanent part-time employment are better at ignoring instant gratification and saving for the future. This is a valuable skill to take with you into adulthood and will hopefully prevent you living ‘paycheck to paycheck’ for the rest of your adult life.
2. Improved Time Management Experience
The fact is, you’ll have less free time when you take on a part-time job. As a result, you learn how to manage your time better and won’t spend 4 hours eating toast on the sofa watching pointless daytime TV or social media! You’ll soon understand the importance of skipping out on the occasional social activity to complete a deadline.
Your time management skills will also spill over into your coursework and exam study techniques. While your flatmates are pulling an all-nighter before an exam, you’ll be fast asleep safe in the knowledge that you’re fully prepared. Furthermore, you’ll have another skill that will inevitably help you during your career.
3. Students with a part-time job can use that work experience on their resume.
In some cases, the part-time job you have as a student acts as a perfect introduction into the big, bad world of permanent full-time employment. Obviously, this isn’t the case if you work in a fast food restaurant as you study to become a lawyer for example! However, you may be lucky enough to get a part-time job in an industry you’re interested in.
Even if the job doesn’t relate to your Bachelor’s Degree course, it still looks good on a resume. Most employers will be impressed that you were able to hold down a job and still achieve excellent college grades. Remember, employers, want candidates who have knowledge of how the work environment works and have previously shown the ability to work as part of a team. If nothing else, your part-time job will make the transition from student to full-time employee a little less daunting.
4. Networking & Socializing Opportunities
Whether you gain work experience in your chosen career field or not, a part-time job offers a unique opportunity to meet new people. You never know who you could meet; perhaps you’ll bump into an executive from a large company who is impressed by your skills.
Also, it isn’t healthy to spend your entire life in college studying in your bedroom or the library. When you work a part-time job, you get an entirely new perspective on life which means you won’t fall into the trap of being caught in a campus bubble. As well as meeting people for networking purposes, you could also make some fun friends too. One thing is for sure; you won’t meet such a person by playing computer games in your flat!
What Kind of Jobs Can Students Get in Trinidad & Tobago?
The most common part-time jobs for students are within the hospitality and tourism industries. Keep in mind that these industries seem to be the ones that provide more revenue in the Caribbean. Some of the good entry-level positions are under the areas of:
• Food and Beverage
• Transportation
• Attractions
• Travel
• Accommodations
• Adventure
• Events and conventions
• Tourism Services
While these are all viable options to help boost your bank account as a student, why not aim a little higher?“Those who can teach.” If you’re skilled in a particular area, why not make some money on the side by tutoring those in need? You have the option of working independently or registering with a tutoring agency. The most popular disciplines are Maths, English, and Science but you can make good money if you’re fluent in a second language. Although you may have to make home visits, most agencies have set up a Skype service so you can tutor your pupils from home.
If you’re a bit of a tech geek, there is definitely a part-time job for you! There is a host of companies that enable students to fix broken laptops and iPhones. In fact, employers enjoy having student workers because they are flexible, intelligent and hardworking.
Set your priorities straight
The above is just a small sampling of the benefits students enjoy when they take on a part-time job in college. However, we urge you to keep everything in perspective and don’t take on any job that jeopardizes your grades. College should remain your #1 priority so if the stress of a part-time job makes you ill or results in poor exam/assignment performance, take a step back and decide if the extra work is worth it.
