There is a certain pressure on students to decide, discuss, and define their career paths in high school. By the time they clear their final examinations, they need to have a well-laid-out career plan. Although most students decide to pursue work after graduating or passing out from college, it can be beneficial for them to start working at an early age, most preferably when they are still students. Starting their careers early and working while they are still students can prove beneficial for most students and provide them with an early career advantage.
This is why in this blog I shall talk about the exciting benefits that starting a career early can have. So, read on to find out more.
Why do some students choose to work at an early age?
There can be different reasons why students choose to work early. Some of the main reasons are:
- Gaining some type of professional experience while they are still studying
- Help them prepare for their careers after graduating
- Earning their own money and learning how to manage their finance
Although some students may prefer to work early because of financial constraints, others may choose to seek professional experience and gain hands-on learning in their industry.
Some may pursue roles that are different to what they studied, while some may choose to work in the same domains as their academic backgrounds. However, regardless of the type of jobs they are applying for, students can develop their professional skills and harness certain types of practical abilities by working.
However, most students cannot study while working, as it can be a stressful activity. Thus, the question remains whether further education can help students prepare for their careers or start their careers early have the same or extra benefits.
A study published in 2010 aimed to determine the benefits and risks of adolescent employment. The study found out that students who gain professional agency experience at an early age have better personality traits like independence, interpersonal skills, and even responsibilities.
Benefits of working at an early age
There are several benefits to working right after high school. Below, some primary reasons are highlighted why students should start their careers early. Have a look at them.
- Earning money
This is one of the most common reasons why students choose to work at an early age. Students can benefit from the extra income they can earn, which can help them pay their tuition fees, and other miscellaneous expenses related to books or extra-curricular activities. Although most universities don’t require students to pay for their student loans until they have graduated, students can decide to save their earnings for repaying their education debts. Students can also work to pay for travel or buy personal items. However, regardless of the reasons why students earn money, one of the main benefits of working early is earning extra money.
- Seeking different networking opportunities
Many students seek employment while studying because of the different types of networking opportunities that it can offer them. Networking can allow students to meet different people, hire managers and recruiters, create important professional connections, and develop professional relationships. This could benefit them when they try to seek career opportunities in the future.
- Gaining professional experience
One of the main advantages of working while studying is gaining professional experience. If students can find internships or degrees that are related to their area or field of study then the experience they gather can help them train for a long-term career. Moreover, they can also gain critical insights about professional work atmospheres and help them prepare themselves mentally for full-time professional employment in the future.
Finally, the experience they can gather, like working with customers, acting as a team member, or even adhering to schedules, can contribute to their work histories and help build up their professional resume.
- Developing transferrable skills
Although some students may work in industries related to their careers, others might work in different industries. These employment strategies can help them develop key transferrable skills that they can add to their resumes or portfolios. Some of the different types of transferrable skills that students can learn are:
- Verbal communication
- Time management skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership
These types of transferrable skills can be useful in professional lives later and help students establish a solid career for themselves.
- Highlighting their ambition
Many employers want hardworking and dedicated employees and working while studying can help one establish more credibility. Furthermore, when students balance different priorities at once, they can become more goal-oriented and organised in nature.
Final thoughts
This blog provides you with an insight into the various benefits of student employment and how it can serve as an essential tool for students to develop themselves personally and professionally.
Author Bio
John Harris is a professor of Business Studies at a reputed college in the USA. He is also a part of Allessaywriter.com and loves guiding young students with assignment writing service. He is also an avid blogger and spends his free time contributing daily to top blogging sites.
