Working While Attending Community College

Working While Attending Community College

Many community college students work while earning their degree or certification. Working while attending school is a great way to gain experience and pay for college at the same time. Community college classes also allow students to work easier as they have many flexible course options. However, there are some important things community college students should consider if they plan on working while they attend school.

The first thing to consider is what time of day you want to work and when you want to attend class. If you want to work during the day, you should look at night and asynchronous class options during enrollment. If you are already working and decide to start school, inform your employer. Try to look for classes that do not interfere with your work hours.

The second thing to consider is the number of hours required by a job. Working is great, but it can also interfere with studying and school commitments. Students need to determine the number of hours they can work while still having adequate time to dedicate to their class schedule and their studying needs. Scheduling out study sessions is a great way to make sure nothing is slipping through the cracks.

Another important thing to consider is if you can find a job that is related to your degree or desired career field. Many community colleges partner with employers in their community, and many have career centers. Check if there are any employers that are offering jobs in your desired industry. There may also be an opportunity to find a paid apprenticeship through your college. Interviewers are more likely to hire you if you have prior experience in an industry. However, even working in job unrelated to your desired field can offer many great transferable and soft skills and experiences that could be useful across industries.

When you do get a job, make sure your employer knows about your commitment to your education. Provide them with your class schedule to see if they can allow you to work hours that will not interfere with school or studying. Also, make notes of major tests and finals that you may want to schedule time off for, so you can give plenty of notice and have plenty of time to prepare. It may also be possible to find an on-campus job that are intended for college students with varying schedules.

It can seem overwhelming, but working while attending community college is possible. In fact, most community college students work while in school. However, with careful planning and communication with your boss and coworkers, maintaining a job while attending schools is manageable.