Paid employment while you are in college can be important for reasons other than money. Having a job in a field related to your major can help you develop a credential for graduate school and make you more employable later because it shows that you have the capability to manage several priorities at the same time. Work can help you determine whether a career is what you will really want after you complete your education. In addition, students who work a moderate amount (fifteen hours per week) typically get better grades than students who do not work at all.

On the other hand, it’s almost impossible to get great grades if you work full-time while trying to be a full-time student. Some students prefer not to take a job during their first year in college while they’re making adjustments to a new academic environment. You might find that you’re able to work some terms while you are a student but not others, and sometimes family obligations or challenging classes can make the added burden of work impractical or impossible.

The majority of students today find that a combination of working and borrowing is the best way to gain experience, finance college, and complete their educational goals on time.