How I found my part-time job at Uni
Hi, I’m Scarlett!
I’m finishing my first year of University at YSJ as a Primary Education student, and I wanted to chat a bit about how I balance work and student life, as well as my advice on working alongside your studies.
Working part-time as a student
For anyone thinking about studying in York or preparing to move here in September, the idea of part-time work might be on your mind. A year ago, I worked full time on my gap year, and the idea of moving to a completely different city, with no job lined up felt overwhelming. Eight months down the line, I now have two part-time jobs here in York: one as a Student Voice Ambassador (SVA), where I write blogs and create content for YSJ’s social media, and another in retail at a shop in the city centre. I couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out, but the process had its challenges.
Working for YSJ!
Being an SVA is honestly the best job I could think of. You get to pick your hours, explore the city, and get paid while doing it. There are also other great opportunities at YSJ, such as becoming a Student Ambassador representing your course, or working at the Student Union café or bar.
York is a heavily student-populated city, so there will be lots of people job-hunting around September time. I would recommend waiting a few months if you can, to look for jobs in the city, as places are often hiring during Christmas time and more into the Spring/Summer. I applied to lots of places from Christmas but didn’t land an interview until April (luckily I got the job!).
I would recommend looking for jobs in hospitality and retail, as those industries are usually looking for part-time workers, especially during the busy seasonal periods.
Where to look…
There are lots of different places to look for jobs, like Indeed, which is popular among employers. There is also Handshake, which you can sign up for through YSJ, and is designed to help students get work. You can even search ‘Jobs in York’ and there will be plenty of options that may suit you and your timetable.
Something to think about
Make sure you think about practicalities like travel to and from work, and consider your workload at university. It can be difficult to balance all of the aspects of university, so don’t stress if you find this tricky in the beginning… I promise it gets (a bit) easier!
Finally, remember if you aren’t successful right away, that’s okay! Seasonal periods bring lots of opportunities, so remember to keep looking and stay patient.
Good luck!
Scarlett
To find out more information about our students’ experience creating content as Student Voice Ambassadors, please read Ellie’s blog.
To explore more content from our Student Voice Ambassadors, make sure to check our Student Voices webpage.
