Working My Way Through College
Should I get a job?
Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’re probably going to have to work a little to help pay for college. That’s not a bad thing.
Can I juggle both school and a job?
You might want to wait a few weeks before deciding to get a job, just to see how well you can handle your class load. The fact is many of us are more productive with structure in our lives. Good planning, organization and scheduling means for an efficient and productive student…and worker.
How many hours should I work?
Most students find a good balance of work to be about 10 to 15 hours a week. Much more than that will cut into your time for studying, recreation, studying, friends, studying, family, studying and general hanging out.
Where can I get a job?
Campus jobs are great for students because they are often very flexible around midterms, finals and vacations. Campus employers realize you’re here to be a student first and foremost. There are more than 1900 jobs available on campus for work-study and non work-study students. And they pay pretty well, with minimum wage starting at $7 an hour and some students earning up to $12 an hour.
Do I qualify for federal work-study?
Some jobs require federal work-study eligibility, which means the feds pay part of your salary. Whether you qualify or not depends on the results of your federal financial aid application. There are non-work study jobs available on campus, too.
Check out Dragon Jobs for all kinds of employment options on and off campus.
Should I work off campus?
Fargo-Moorhead has a thriving business community that holds significant opportunities for current students and graduates to find professional work. Upper-class students often find career-oriented part-time jobs or internships in the community to help prepare for work after graduation. Full-time offers may result from these part-time positions. There are great options in the community, but some things to consider: commuting time, work schedules that don’t match MSUM schedules, too many hours required, and a lower minimum wage.