Working in College Is Not One Size Fits All

July 18, 2024
by Mason

Getting Involved Life Hacks School/Life Balance

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education at USC, I have always had some form of job, and these were often funded by federal work-study. Federal Work Study is a government-funded student aid program that students may be eligible to receive depending on their financial situation as governed by the yearly FAFSA. The full ins and outs of the program can be a bit confusing, but to simplify it, if a student is awarded federal work-study, the government will give an employer money to pay your wage and to incentivize the hiring of you as a worker. In my personal experience, having federal work-study was extremely helpful as an undergraduate student, as many of the on-campus jobs such as working at the library, bookstore, etc. would be much more likely to hire a student with a federal work-study award. That is not to say that there are no jobs for those without this distinction. Many of my close friends and even myself during the years I did not receive this award were still able to find great employment opportunities and jobs that were flexible enough to accommodate a college student’s scheduling needs. The key takeaway from this though is that federal work-study can be a great opportunity and tool in finding employment during college, so make sure to remember to fill out your FAFSA accurately each year and not to overlook the award in your financial aid package.

Now on a more personal note, I’d love to talk about my experience so far as a working college student. I was fortunate to be raised in a very hard-working family, where both my parents worked full-time jobs while raising my two sisters and me. While my parents were working hard in their careers, my sisters and I were taken care of by my Nonno (grandfather). My Nonno immigrated to America from Sicily when he was just 19 years old and it is from him that I owe my work ethic across all of the jobs I have worked so far. No matter what was going on in my life, my Nonno always raised me to be a hard worker. He taught me that if you wanted something in life, that it was your responsibility to work hard to achieve it, and that any aspiration no matter how big was achievable with hard work & determination.

I have worked many jobs in my life such as being a tutor, a beach lifeguard, a resident assistant, and a campus tour guide, and now I enjoy interacting with my community through blogs like this as a Chan student ambassador. For me, work has always brought me a sense of meaning and purpose. The idea of getting a job and working during college was never really a question in my mind, rather, it was more of an understanding I had made with myself to continue to work hard towards my goals. Students choose to work in college for a multitude of reasons, many work hard to pay for things like books, food, and rent. Some students choose to work so that they can have money to support themselves in meaningful activities like sports, exploring LA, or getting dinner with their friends. Finally, many students choose to work because having a job helps them derive meaning and purpose with their time in college. I have often found that people do not simply fall into one of these roles, rather, most students I know tackle every one of these goals simultaneously.

Working in college is not one size fits all. Each and every one of us is a different person, with different goals & aspirations, different finances, and importantly, different needs to succeed during our time here. So when considering whether or not to work during your academic pursuits the best advice I would give is to be honest with yourself and to think about what you need to succeed. Choosing not to work is just as meaningful as choosing to work if a job would jeopardize your success as a student. My advice, be open to trying new things! If a job doesn’t work out you can always stop and you can always try something else instead. Working in college is not perfect for everyone, but it can be a fantastic opportunity to set yourself up for financial, professional, and personal success in your future life and career.

That’s all for now, and remember to Fight On!

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