How to have a good job while in school?

I am 22 and live in San Diego CA. I currently go to school just under full time and work two dead end jobs. I am transferring after summer to CSUSM for two years to finish my bachelors. Is it possible to have a well paying non dead end job while in school?! It seems like they are ALL full time! The only jobs that will work around my school schedule ( I go two times a week) is these 10-12$ a hour jobs. My biggest goal in life is to be a home owner. Any of you guys wanna share what kind of jobs you worked? Or any ideas on what jobs to look for where I can make 15+ part time? Or some side work to make extra cash?

 

Get an entry level job related to your field of study. Probably won't be the best paying, but that will help immensely when you graduate and look for something else.

 

Couldn't agree more with Clayton. I worked for minimum wage in my field for about 8 months prior to graduation. That turned into a fantastic full time salary position as soon as I had my degree in hand. Just try to keep yourself out of debt and save while you can.

 

I worked my way through both my undergrad and graduate with full time jobs. The best way to do this, imo, is to try and find a good position at the university. I don't mean the normal crappy student jobs that they hand out like candy. Find something that is research related in the area of your study and working for your department or research professors if that is available. These types of jobs tend to go to motivated students that interact with the faculty beyond just showing up to class, so they aren't necessarily easy to get, but the benefits are worth it. They will work around school schedules to help you get your hours in. They usually pay a bit above minimum wage or the lower student rates on campus. They also pay major dividends in networking and experience you gain from working in an area related to the field that you are studying. Your social life tends to suffer because you end up making up hours at off times that you'd rather be hanging with friends, but I think its worth the sacrifice for the long term gain. Good luck with your search.

 

You could work your way up to being a server in a restaurant. I'm about your age range as well, I know some of my friends are 20-21 making 30-40$/hr in tips alone. They also make the 10$/hr min wage on top of that. It's hard work but if you need the money it will be worth it.

 

If you want to go to school full time there is only so much you can do. Maybe look for internships where there could be an opportunity to roll into actual employment. Other than that the option is to work full time and go to school part time at night. I know many people who chose that path Personally I started college at 21 and went full time year round taking the minimum number of credits required to get a degree in four years and worked crappy jobs for twenty five or thirty hours per week. Even slid two internships into my last two years. They were a great experience because they showed me what I didn't want to with my degree.

 

At one job I make 12 and the other is 10. I am one class away from a associates in administration of justice. My main goa was to become a police officer but clearly can't do that untill I graduate school. I want to do what I love BUT I also want to make good money. I currently work in a warehouse and at a dog daycare place, both dead ends.

I have thought about the server thing and also getting into real estate

 

I agree this is another great way to make ends meet if you are currently struggling. I don't like it as a first option however. I've seen too many people in my life get into that line of work, and their studies suffer. Its hard and takes a lot of your energy.

 

I agree but at the same time, if you were to get a job that is unrelated to your career path then might as well make more while working less. Instead of working 30hrs making 12$/hr you can work 15hrs as a server and make the same. I understand where you are coming from, though. Not trying to start an argument. Just pointing out different points of view.

 

I worked part time as a faculty assistant. Grading papers, setting up labs, tutoring, etc. Well worth it although the pay wasn't great. I also did a 1 year part time internship for the company I currently work for. Worked out great, they hired me on full time once I graduated, 16 years ago.

 

And I absolutely agree with your logic here. If he can't find that perfect fit, get that money and make things as easy as possible when starting out in life.

I didn't mean to come across as argumentative. Just trying to outline the entire thought process so he can understand how I came to the conclusion in the first place. Its hard thinking these things through and understanding the possible implications of decisions early in life. I know I didn't when I was making them, lol. And some of my friends that got swamped down in the service industry took to it like ducks to water and worked their way up that corporate ladder. They are doing very well and running regions for big chains.

 

I worked nights in a furniture factory sanding chair legs. College was a grind. You just have to get through it. It's a means to an end. Not the end. Hopefully once you have your degree you will get a decent paying job in your career field. If you don't expect a decent job once you graduate, you may want to rethink your degree.

 

No worries at all. You probably have more insight than I do, afterall. I'm still pretty young. I'm currently doing school full time and work part time. In the same boat as OP before. Got tired of working long hours for little pay. I understand finding a job in my field would be more ideal, I will probably start looking for internships or related work soon. For now my service job works

 

My goal was to get my degree then become a police officer here in San Diego. But getting in is VERY hard. I've gone through 3/4 degrees already and criminal justice was the only one I didn't hate. I love it.

 

I will add that looking back from my early fifties and what may be my peak earning years, that four years in college was nothing. The blink of an eye. It seemed like forever and a real handicap to my 21 year old self though.

 

I would say building up your resume is almost as important as the salary when you're in college. Find something that looks good on a resume for the career you want. Live cheap and have some patience until you're done with school