The Iglu Guide | Blog
Top 5 Worst Jobs for Students
Many students decide to take on a job while studying at university. It’s a great opportunity to pick up some new skills, top up the finances and add to the resumé in the process. But finding that ideal combination of flexible hours, commensurate pay and friendly work culture can be harder than you think – with plenty of students ending up in less than desirable jobs as a result. Think: low pay, high stress, terrible hours and tasks you’d really rather not be doing. The very worst student jobs are the ones that have the greatest impact on your social and academic life– and offer little financial reward in the process. But when the cost of living bites and you’re not hitting your budget, sometimes there’s no choice but to get out there and find whatever work you can get. But before you jump straight into the part time job market, let’s take a look at some of the more challenging employment opportunities that are likely to come your way.
1. Fast food worker
As much as students love to hang out with mates in the cosy confines of Hungry Jacks, Oporto and Maccas, those golden arches don’t always lead to part time jobs made in student heaven. In fact, fast food jobs are typically very demanding both physically and mentally. Students are often working long hours and on their feet all day, operating in a fast-paced and often hot and uncomfortable environment. Managing a high customer turnover, you’re likely to be on the go, non-stop, with little time available to interact with your peers. These types of work environments can often be quite stressy, filled with impatient customers and high volumes of orders at any time of day. Factor in the late closing hours and early starts, as well as the unpredictable nature of shift work, and this type of job has the power to seriously offside your study schedule. There is little opportunity for growth or development and students are unlikely to receive anything more than the minimum wage
Job satisfaction: On the upside, there’s a good chance that you’ll get fed while you’re at work which can save a heap on grocery bills – and you may be eligible for discounts when you’re not at work. Additionally, working in a chain fast food restaurant means you have the opportunity to work at other outlets wherever you live in the future.
2. Retail work
Whilst this type of student job sounds slightly more glamorous in comparison, retail work can be deceptive. The hours are incredibly variable – super demanding in high season, and unpredictably shortened when times are slow. Casual staff are not always treated particularly well, with shift hours deliberately curated to benefit the business rather than the individual. Casual workers are often allocated 4-hour shifts to circumnavigate break allocation rules, so it’s important to understand your employee rights. Working for shorter hours and a relatively small financial gain can be extremely disruptive to your study schedule. Retail work can also be a stressful work environment particularly during demanding periods such as Christmas and sale seasons, with extended opening hours coinciding with potential exam periods.
Job satisfaction: Any retail job is as good as the company you choose, so do your research and choose wisely. This type of work is a great opportunity to pick up customer service skills such as teamwork and communication, and often has potential for growth within the company. You’ll work as part of a wider team and will have the opportunity to meet new people and make connections for the future.
3. Night security
Whilst a night job might seem like a great solution with working hours kept well outside your academic schedule, losing out on precious sleep can be incredibly disruptive to your general health and wellbeing. This is the time when your body has a chance to recharge and consolidate all that new information; any disruption to your sleep schedule can leave you feeling permanently tired and groggy. Night security is often lonely and can be a somewhat boring task, with many hours spent standing around – whatever the weather. It can lead to social isolation and increasing feelings of loneliness. The job also has a danger factor and can be located in potentially isolated locations. As well as dealing with some difficult customer situations, there may also be some safety concerns around getting home. There are limited prospects for growth or networking opportunities and the pay is generally not high enough to counterbalance the negatives.
Job satisfaction: For students that don’t relish the idea of constant customer interaction, this can be an ideal role. Extended periods of quiet time may bring the opportunity to work on a new skill, or extra time to reinforce learning. The job itself requires high levels of awareness and observational skills as it brings the opportunity to develop crisis-management and problem-solving skills in a calm and professional manner. These are valuable assets for future employment.
4. Call centre rep
Telemarketing is a brutal job at any age, especially in the modern world where it is seen as increasingly intrusive to make an unsolicited phone call. Students are tasked with a range of requirements such as persuading customers to make a potential purchase, or making some kind of donation. Highly repetitive and extremely stressful, you have to be prepared to manage plenty of rejection along the way as you interact with reluctant customers who are unsympathetic to your needs. The standard pay is usually pretty low or even non-existent, with the lure of bonuses just a small target away. Call centre reps need to have a very thick skin to manage this type of work environment as well as the level of rejection and frustration that can come your way.
Job satisfaction: As a minimum you will learn to deal confidently with unsatisfied customers and greatly improve your interpersonal skills. For those that thrive in this type of environment, there is the potential to make some lucrative returns, which can give a massive boost to your student budget.
5. Warehouse restocking
This type of role requires lots of repetitive motion, heavy lifting, and physical endurance. Usually associated with shift work hours, it can severely impact your study schedule and sleep habits, often leaving students too tired to focus on their university work. Warehouses are usually located out of town, so there are travel costs associated with getting to and from work which need to be offset from any money earned. Additionally, there is a higher risk of workplace injury that is unlikely to be offset by the minimum wage. As with all shift work, the hours can vary.
Job satisfaction: Some students relish the simplicity of this type of role, as a good antidote to the complexities of learning. You’ll meet people from all different backgrounds and communities and the shift work can be constructed to complement your uni schedule.
Top Tips:
- Research any company you are interested in to ensure it aligns with your values
- Understand the job scope and expectations before you begin
- Clarify the staff turnover
- Qualify your hours and pay in advance
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
