Getting a part-time job as an international student

When choosing a study abroad program, accessible employment possibilities are an essential aspect for most Nigerian students. The need to earn and support oneself leads to student sourcing for part-time jobs. 

Getting part-time work as a student not only helps you pay for your academic and living expenses, but also allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture, develop your professional abilities, enhance your language proficiency, and meet new people.

Recognizing these benefits, universities have set aside a stipulated number of hours for a student to work. Some universities have also created work opportunities where students can earn and learn at the same time.

As an international student in a foreign country, you must perform thorough research before you begin your search for part-time jobs. This is because the work ethics and laws of various countries differ, therefore proper research is important to avoid problems. 

Tips for working abroad as an international student

When looking for a job, it is necessary to consider that different country have varied rules. It is important to get acquainted with the rules of your study country before applying for positions.

In most countries, international students are allowed to work while they study. Unfortunately, this does not apply to students in Costa Rica, Cyprus, Fiji, Lebanon, or India (permits only paid internships). As a result, it is critical to ensure that you have enough funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.

Another thing to think about is your education and your way of life. Your education should be impacted as little as possible by your employment. Consider a career linked to your degree, and put what you studied into practice, thereby increasing your employability status.

Now that we have done our research, the next phase is to apply for part-time jobs around you. In searching for a job, we need to consider the nature of work, location and pay. You have to choose a job in line with your career, not far from your school, and pays well enough to meet your expenses. These three factors should be the foundation of any part-time job you get. 

What part-time job can you get?

To answer this question, you may start your search by looking at university campuses. 

The college or university

Working on campus is a common choice for overseas students. In some countries, such as the United States, working within the institution is the sole option for overseas students during their first year of undergraduate study. There are several career opportunities available, ranging from working in the writing center, as a teaching assistant, in the cafeteria, and in computer centers. 

As an international student, working on campus will help you meet new people, improve your language skills, and give you some valuable experience. You will probably spend more time with your friends from the university since many students work on campus.

Another key consideration is taking advantage of any academic services available, which include and are not limited to how to apply or find part-time work, preparing for interviews, support with writing or editing your CV, and how to write a cover letter appropriate for that particular country to increase your chances of being hired for your ideal part-time job.

One disadvantage of working on campus is that paid jobs at colleges are generally quite competitive. Many foreign and domestic students want to work part-time while studying, so it is critical to prepare for the interview and exhibit excitement even if the work isn’t especially fascinating.

Restaurants and bars

This is one of the easiest part-time jobs to get. There are numerous jobs available in the neighboring towns and cities’ pubs, restaurants, and cafés. Restaurants are constantly searching for extra staff, so you should have no trouble finding work. Depending on your expertise and abilities, you might work as a waiter, bartender, or even in the kitchen.

This sort of employment may include strong communication skills, but there are frequently no formal criteria for passing work experience. It implies you’ll most likely be able to get work in a restaurant, which may be a fantastic chance for an international student. This job opportunity will help you build your interpersonal skills, improve your language proficiency, and make new friends.

The most significant disadvantage of working in a restaurant is the limited number of hours available because most restaurant labor is done at the night. This might be taxing, especially if your degree includes a lot of early morning lectures/seminars. Night shifts might sometimes interfere with your study. This is something to think about if you want to work in a bar or restaurant. However, if you flourish at night and are more alert late at night, you should consider this type of part-time employment.

Call Centers

This is a fantastic option for people who are talkative, sociable, and self-assured in their language and/or computer abilities. Also, because contact center positions are not physically demanding, they are an excellent alternative if you like or require an office atmosphere.

Working at a call center, on the other hand, can be taxing. You must have outstanding communication skills as well as above-average linguistic abilities. The difficulty of call center employment varies greatly. Telesales roles, for example, are among the toughest and stressful possibilities, but they frequently include commission with each transaction, raising your income even more.

Customer Service-related jobs

Customer service-related job postings are a typical method to start your employment path. Because training takes place on the job and there are flexible work schedules, customer service jobs are frequently part-time and accessible to first-time job seekers.

It is an excellent opportunity to gain a wide range of transferrable skills, and some organizations even provide further training or professional development to help you advance your career. This might be an area of interest if you love dealing with people and are concerned about how people are greeted.

Again, this can be an opportunity to work part-time during your study weeks and full-time during your vacation between each year of study. Finally, customer service positions may be found in every area, from the arts and culture to sports and fashion.

Internship

It may be possible you may be able to locate an internship in a firm related to your subject of study, often known as co-op or placement. Being an intern provides you with valuable experience and offers up a slew of new doors.

Depending on the country and your subject of study, you may even be recruited by the firm once your studies are over. An internship will provide you with a wealth of experience related to your field of study and career. Stipends are given to interns in some organizations.  

Volunteering

There are numerous volunteer opportunities international students can use to gain experience and meet new people. Being a volunteer is one of the more rewarding and interesting work opportunities, and one of the biggest advantages of volunteering is the wide range of positions available. There is more varied work available for volunteers, so chances are that you will be able to choose a role you truly like. There are lots of companies and organizations looking for volunteers, so this is a great way for international students to get involved and gain some much-needed experience. Volunteering also opens a host of opportunities for international students, and it gives you both work experience and a more varied CV.

The main difference between a volunteer job and a paid job is that these positions are not paid. Therefore, this work opportunity can not help you pay for additional social activities or save some money. For these reasons, volunteering is a good choice for those who don’t have to work to support themselves or for those international students who can combine volunteering with a paid job.

There are also more work opportunities such as bartenders to security guards to student ambassadors and facility assistants. Keep an eye out for part-time administration, office support, cleaning, or babysitting jobs in local newspapers, shop windows, and on job sites. If you’re studying in a country that doesn’t speak your native language, taking on some language tutoring or translation work can prove lucrative too.

If you do not feel comfortable working during term time or your study weeks, you may also obtain part-time or full-time hours over the summer when you don’t have any classes. The distinction is that you can work full-time on student visas depending on the country.

Nevertheless, do not devote all your leisure time to work. University entails more than just studying and employment. Set aside some time to explore your new surroundings and socialize with friends. 

Begin your application today!

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