You came to London and decided to study to achieve your goals and make your dreams come true. That’s fantastic, but let’s be honest it’s not the cheapest city in the world.
If your dad is not a celebrity figure like Simon Cowell, you may struggle to survive without a job. On the other hand working and studying has its advantages; you can meet interesting people, gain life experience and build a strong character of your own.
Nothing can help you grow up quicker, than going to work and being independent. Some people may find it hard or challenging, but the truth is you don’t have to work ten hours a day.
Having a few more pounds in your pocket for your own expenses, can really make your life easier.
You can invite a beautiful girl on a date, as a girl you can buy a nice dress to have dinner with your dream man or like most students, it makes up a little extra for your weekly beer money!
Staff Wanted
You have just decided you would like to join working community.
There are many options you can choose from:
- Ask your friends if someone from their common circle has any opportunities
- Check in students magazine and newspapers for any announcements
- Surf the web and check forums to connect directly with other students
- Have a look at information boards at your school
Just ask around and try to mention it to as many people as you can. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
Find the Job that Makes You Happy
Working while studying is all about having fun. Choose something that will allow you to focus on your lectures. Don’t compromise your performance – remember you are at University to help you find a better job not to neglect the course whilst you work in a coffee shop!
Keep your priorities straight and remember to keep up with your classes.
If you’re not sure what you’re good at, make a list of all the key points you’re looking for. Try to match it with your personality and university schedule.
A few examples you can look at include:
- Babysitting
- Hospitality jobs at events and parties
- Product promotion
- Sales assistants
- Telesales agents
- Care assistant as nursing home
- Waiter/Waitress positions
And this is only a beginning.
Payment for different jobs can vary. A lot depends on a company you work for and the type of work you do.
Paid Internship
London is one the biggest cities in the world. This means that opportunities for earning money are also endless.
If you have one more year left before graduation, an internship can be something interesting for you. Nowadays it can be hard to find a profession without an adequate amount of experience – many graduate positions require basic work experience in the field.
Apply for a paid internship and learn the essential skills. There is a big chance you will be able to stay in this particular company or find different employment in a similar field with the experience you gained.
Combining work and studies is manageable. You just need a little bit of self-motivation and devotion. Share these ideas with your friends and build a working group that can be supportive and inspirational.
Daria Wasiluk currently writes for UKEAS, a company who help foreign citizens to follow their dreams of studying in London and the rest of the UK. Daria, originally for Eastern Europe, moved to London in her early 20’s and has years of experience living in the UK as a foreigner. Daria now works as a writer and student advisor for UKEAS in Nigeria, where prospective students can find excellent advice on studying in the UK.
