Introduction
In Japan, many students begin working part time when they enter high school or college. There are many attractive things to be gained from part-time jobs, such as the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment from working, being able to relate to society, being useful for future planning, and being able to purchase things of your choice with the money you earn. However, students’ main job is to study, and in this respect, it tends to be difficult to find a balance between studying and working. So, should students work part time while they are still students?
Some benefits from working a part-time job
You earn extra pocket money
By working part-time, students will be able to hang out with friends, enjoy hobbies, purchase necessities, and no longer need to rely on their parents’ support to pay for the expenses of student life.
You learn to manage your money
There are about two advantages to working early. First, by starting work earlier, students can start saving money while they are still students, allowing themselves to plan their lives in a way that will generate money early. The second is that when you grow up, you will have more knowledge and control over your money and avoid debt.
You become more confident
Starting a part-time job may help you turn your shy personality into a more diplomatic one by getting involved in society. Since many part-time jobs involve working with people, you will be able to talk a lot and learn how to interact with people from customers and staff. It will give you a great confidence boost!
You gain independence
Working part-time gives students a sense of independence. Although they are certainly required to take responsibility for their involvement in society, they can learn a lot from the sense of accomplishment of fulfilling their responsibilities, relying on their peers to help them overcome obstacles, and earning money on their own.
You learn to manage your time wisely
Managing your own schoolwork and part-time job, playing with friends, and doing many other things can be a challenge, but it will improve your time management skills. By doing it well, you can also learn how to schedule and act efficiently (Zambas, 2019).
Impediments to working a part-time job
You might have less free time
Students do not want to lose time for their studies, as their primary goal is to obtain credits and a degree. However, it is not impossible to combine study and work. The important thing is to maintain a balance. Especially for university students, it is possible if they can take required classes and specialized classes on their own and work part time during their free time to make their own schedule.
There’s the possibility of stress
While a new environment can be stimulating, it can also lead to fatigue and stress due to unfamiliar surroundings and relationships. This can have a major impact on the original goal of the program.
Therefore, students should learn how to relax and relieve stress. For example, they should learn to do things that calm and soothe them, such as taking a walk, going to the movies, reading a book, or doing other things that allow them to spend time slowly from time to time (Newcastle University, 2019).
Conclusion
Working part-time has both positive and negative aspects for students, so it is important to strike a balance.
References
・Newcastle University (2019). What are the main advantages and disadvantages when working while studying? [online] international-blogs.ncl.ac.uk. Available at: https://international-blogs.ncl.ac.uk/blog/what-are-the-main-advantages-and-disadvantages-when-working-while-studying?hs_amp=true [Accessed 2 October 2022].
・Zambas, J. (2019). 12 Benefits of Working a Part-Time Job as a Student. [online] Careeraddict.com. Available at: https://www.careeraddict.com/5-benefits-for-students-who-work-part-time-jobs [Accessed 2 October 2022].
