Don't have a student job this summer? Then you’d better find one, because it’s not only good for your budget, it also improves your opportunities on the job market.
“The fact you make time for a student job alongside your studies demonstrates to potential employers that you are motivated and responsible, a hard worker and good at time management. All a great advantage compared to students who didn’t bother”, says Brecht Neyt, who devoted part of his doctorate to the subject.
However, there’s a difference between working in a bar or a job in the industry where you wish to end up. “It’s always worth doing a student job, but if you find one in the right sector, that’s an even greater advantage. Then, in the eyes of employers, you have more ‘human capital’, more knowledge to perform the job. So, for example, my student job – picking apples and pears in the summer – was not particularly helpful in writing my doctorate (laughs).”
Weekend work even better
Working at the weekend is actually even better than a student job during the school holidays. “It’s not difficult to make time during the holiday. But that’s not the case during the academic year or when giving up part of your precious weekend. So that really shows what a hard worker you are.”
Not only will employers perceive you more positively if you do a student job, you will also develop your own competencies. “You’ll extend your professional network, particularly if you do a student job in the sector where you are keen to end up. You can discover the opportunities on the job market and already get one foot in the door.”
No time or not interested in a holiday job? “In fact, any form of commitment besides your studies can be valuable. For example, volunteering, or being on the praesidium of the student association. Such things make your CV stronger than someone without such experience.”
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