Many college students today have either had a job before or are currently working while attending school. Almost all of my friends that are in college have had part-time jobs for a few years. Still, there are some people who are skeptical about getting a job for the first time. A part-time job is an important experience that every college student should have because it will help him or her gain the skills essential to adult life.

During high school, you probably had a lot of spare time on your hands after homework and assuming you did not join every club offered. In college, you might find that you now have even more time on your hands with some classes only meeting two to three times a week. Life is not always going to be this way. You are going to have to get a job to support your self or maybe even a family one day, and with that, learn how to manage your time so that you can maintain stability in life. Time management is just one of the many skills that can be gained from a part-time job during college. I started working a little earlier on during my eleventh grade year in high school. I learned quickly that maintaining a job, keeping up in school, and holding onto a social life is no easy task. In college you have to keep in mind when all your classes are, if you have any projects or work for them, and allow the proper amount of time needed to accomplish those tasks. Some of you might say to your self, “I would never have time to have a job with my college schedule.” What a lot of people do not know is that many employers understand the importance of an education and will work with you and around your college schedule. When you start juggling school, a job, friends, and family, now is a good time to sit down with a planner and pencil and write down your daily schedule of school, work, and everything in between. Once you see your life’s daily occupations on paper it will appear to more clear to you how much time you really have to do the things you want to do and the things you need to do and to adjust your flexible occupations as needed. Sooner or later, you will learn to manage your time to have a fair amount between work, school, family, and friends.

            Everybody loves money. Most of us are used to getting money from our parents and spending it almost immediately. This is a very bad habit to have when you are thinking about living out on your own. Having your own job and making your own money will show you the true value of a dollar and how to manage your income. Knowing how to manage your money is very important especially if you are living on campus. You are going to need school supplies, books, toiletries, and food. When start going hungry because you didn’t have enough money to buy food than that is probably a good sign that you need to rethink the way your spending your money. You will learn your own way to keeping track of your money such as making a list of everything you buy to looking at all the coupons in the newspaper. Everyone finds a way that is best for them but the most important thing you will learn is how not to buy things you do not really need The second most important thing is to think about the future, always remember “what if.” What if your car breaks down or you need to see a doctor? You will learn that managing your money properly and saving will have its benefits in the long run. Some people, like my self, think much further into the future and invest some savings into a mutual fund for retirement, but that may be a little too far ahead for some people.

            By putting just these two skills together you will already start to understand responsibility. Being an adult and out on your own is a lot harder than it seems. You have to go out and do things on your own now. Your parents cannot make schedules for you anymore, your going to have to make schedules that fit into your life and occupations. Understanding your self and your limits is good way to start. By showing people that you can be organized, on track, and ready for anything to come at you, you are showing your responsibility and commitment to preparation for adulthood and college life.

            If you have never had a job before than you should think hard about getting one. There are many more things you can learn from having a part-time job than just what I have mentioned. By doing so you will be ready for the world to come, equipped with the knowledge and skills that are most imperative in adult life.