Striking a Balance: Navigating Academics and Part-Time Employment

Recent studies estimate that 43 percent of full-time students and 81 percent of part-time students are employed through on-campus positions or part-time, off-campus jobs. Whether you’re working to aid in tuition costs, pay for books and supplies, or just to have some extra cash, part-time employment is a common venture that many students pursue while in school. As you begin to think about picking up a part-time job, it’s important to understand the different types of employment opportunities to find what best fits your needs and then strategize how to strike that balance between your academics, extracurriculars, and your job. 

Handshake 

We make finding on-campus jobs, internships, co-ops, and full-time positions for after graduation easy through Handshake. Handshake is our one-stop shop for access to available positions, employer information, and opportunities like job fairs and Career Development workshops. If you know you’d like to take on a part-time job while in college but you’re not sure where to start, we highly recommend beginning by just logging into your Handshake account and browsing through the available opportunities on campus and in the area. From there, you can begin to determine what kind of part-time employment is best for you and your schedule, and start submitting those applications!

What kind of part-time employment is right for me? 

On-Campus Employment 

Colleges and universities, including YCP, offer countless on-campus employment opportunities. For example, did you know that the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center is run almost entirely by student workers? The Grumbacher is our largest on-campus employer with positions ranging from desk attendants and intramural officials to lifeguards and rock wall monitors! Additional part-time employment opportunities are also available to students through Dining Services, the Spartan Store, the Office of Admissions, the Academic Success Center, and multiple other campus departments. 

On-campus jobs are perfect for students who are looking for just a few hours of work between classes and on the weekends. It’s also a great option for students who live on campus and aren’t able to commute off campus for a part-time job. The biggest perk of on-campus employment is the flexibility to work around classes and other commitments. Nobody knows the demands of your life better than college staff and administration. 

Additionally, talk with the Financial Aid Office to determine if you qualify for Federal Work-Study. Work-Study eligibility is determined through your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is beneficial because it allows you to earn money to put toward your academic expenses without affecting your financial aid eligibility.  

Off-Campus Employment 

One of the biggest benefits of being a student at YCP is our proximity to the bustling business hub of Downtown York and the surrounding community. Our prime location brings numerous opportunities for off-campus part-time employment for students. Off-campus jobs are perfect for students who are taking classes on a part-time basis, commute, or are looking for more hours than what on-campus positions are able to offer. 

Finding Your Balance 

Once you determine what kind of part-time employment is right for you, it’s important that you work to maintain a balance between this new venture and your current obligations like academics and other extracurriculars like clubs or athletics. Making some extra money is great, but you don’t want to overextend yourself with your commitments! This is where we stress the importance of keeping a personal calendar. Keeping up with a detailed calendar of shifts, classes, practices, and more will help you visualize how much time you have left to dedicate to yourself, and it will help prevent anything from falling through the cracks. 

Our Career Development Center is always available to answer questions and provide guidance as you explore employment opportunities! Be sure to reach out to the experts as you craft your résumé and hone in on your interview skills.