Surveys conducted in Europe show that even students work. Of them, 70% say that work allows them to cover their living expenses, and as many as 48% do so in order to afford studying. A large portion of Lithuanian students are also employed – they work regularly during their studies, and occasionally – 16% of those studying in higher education institutions.
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According to Agnė Petrėnaitė, product manager of the temporary jobs platform “Workis,” nowadays it is easier than ever to combine work and studies because students themselves have more choices about how much and where to work, and there is a fairly large selection of available positions.
“Among students, customer service, sales, events, logistics, manufacturing, and administrative jobs are very popular. Most of these do not require previous experience, so they can become not only a source of income but also the first entry in a resume,” says A. Petrėnaitė.
However, as autumn begins, many students face challenges. If a certain schedule suits during the summer, as the academic year progresses, many have to change jobs because they cannot manage to coordinate it with their class schedule.
“In autumn, as studies intensify, it often turns out that it is difficult or even impossible to coordinate a fixed schedule with lectures, practice, and exam preparation. Therefore, a lack of flexibility can be one of the reasons why students leave the labor market after summer,” reveals the expert. “This does not necessarily mean that they no longer want to work – often they simply cannot find a work model that fits their study rhythm.”
Therefore, for students facing the dilemma of combining studies and work, A. Petrėnaitė suggests considering temporary jobs. They allow choosing workdays independently, working when the study load is less intense, and keeping exam periods freer.
Temporary jobs also diversify students’ resumes, as they can try various professions without permanent commitments. It is precisely the variety of jobs, flexible schedules, and independent shift selection that can help at least some students remain in the labor market during autumn.
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“Previously, even part-time work still meant fairly clear commitments to the employer: it was necessary to coordinate work with lectures, swap shifts with colleagues, and request days off during exam periods. Now, alongside regular work, more flexible options have appeared, such as additional work platforms that allow choosing individual shifts,” says the manager.
Flexible work schedule – a priority
According to the expert, when looking for work during the academic year, students should carefully assess not only the nature, duration, and pay of the job but also whether it will be possible to continue it once studies begin.
“Some will prefer regular work on weekends or evenings, others seasonal offers, short-term projects, or individual shifts. The latter allow trying different workplaces and activities, so a student can not only earn money but also practically check which work environment and tasks suit them best,” says A. Petrėnaitė.
It is also important to consider whether the nature of the shifts and the workplace will be convenient and allow ensuring that studies remain the top priority. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the work location is not too far from the place of residence and does not require spending several hours commuting.
“For some, shorter shifts after lectures may be more convenient, while for others – a longer shift on a day off,” says the product manager. “Therefore, there is no one schedule that fits everyone: the most important thing is that the student can regulate the workload according to the study rhythm, and the employer accepts such flexibility as a pre-agreed work model, not as an exception or employee unreliability.”
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