Part-time jobs for students: The pros and cons.

(Baonghean) - Currently, many students are proactively seeking part-time jobs to gain practical experience and earn extra money to cover their expenses. This is considered a positive trend by many; however, in reality, everything has two sides...

The benefits

Students' part-time jobs can be considered a learning environment that the school cannot provide. Students gain broader social interaction, which helps them build confidence and resilience, proving very useful for life after graduation. In addition, they can further develop the skills they have learned in the classroom.

Doan Xuan Quy, a student in the International Auditing department at the National Economics University (Hanoi), is one example. His parents are both civil servants living in the mountainous district of Con Cuong, and supporting his education is quite difficult. Tuition fees, extra classes, rent, and other expenses consume an entire salary from his father. Therefore, in addition to his classes, Quy spends four hours a day working part-time at a private auditing firm.

Quy said: “Although I receive my father's salary, I have to be very frugal with my spending to make ends meet. That's why I have to work to cover my expenses, because studying in Hanoi is much more expensive than studying in Vinh City. Moreover, working part-time also helps me develop soft skills and gain work experience.”

Pham Thi Ngoc Bich, a student at Nghe An College of Tourism and Commerce, chose tutoring as her part-time job.

In each field of study, students tend to choose jobs that closely resemble their future careers after graduation. For example, economics students often choose part-time jobs at companies. There, they gain a better understanding of customer psychology, management, business strategies, and marketing strategies. Education students, on the other hand, often seek work at tutoring centers and test preparation schools. These are the best environments for them to practice their teaching skills, impart knowledge, and understand the psychology of different age groups. Foreign language students, however, choose cafes, restaurants, and travel agencies, where they have the opportunity to interact with foreigners to improve their listening, speaking, and communication skills.

For many students, finding a part-time job not only helps them earn extra money but also prevents idleness and negative consequences; it also provides them with valuable life skills, especially communication skills.

It's clear that for students, part-time work can solve many problems, from financial issues to developing soft skills. Furthermore, those who have worked part-time before graduation tend to be more confident when applying for jobs compared to others.

Mr. Dang Manh Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Song Lam Sugar Company, commented: "Although qualifications are important in a resume, work experience is the deciding factor. At our company, for recent graduates, just a few interview questions are enough to determine if they have prior work experience. Those who have worked part-time, even in fields outside their specialization, demonstrate significantly more confidence in communication than others."

And the "reverse" effects

The benefits of part-time work for students are undeniable, but how and what kind of work to do are crucial considerations. Students should focus on acquiring knowledge during their student years, so they shouldn't take on jobs unrelated to their field of study, unless they have no other choice.

Huong Vi, a third-year student at Vinh University in Quy Chau, shared: "Unable to find a suitable job, I had to accept working as a PG (promotional girl, advertising model, receptionist) at a karaoke bar. Besides the salary of 1,000,000 VND/month, I earn a few million VND extra each month from tips from customers. So, my parents don't have to worry too much about money. However, because I work in conditions where I'm constantly in contact with drunk people, I'm teased and looked down on every day. Not to mention, sometimes friends or relatives see me, and I don't know if they'll understand. I know working takes time and health, but what can I do? If I don't work, my parents will have to work so hard..."

Nguyen Lan Phuong, a final-year student at Vinh Teacher Training College, works part-time at a cafe near the train station intersection.

One of the "part-time jobs" for students that is often misunderstood in society today is the job of escorting clients (although this profession is not common). Currently, many wealthy people often show off their status by "employing" university and college students to entertain their clients at parties. Whenever they need to entertain clients, they will call these students.

There, they "fulfill the contract" by drinking alcohol... They have to drink until the client is drunk, or at least to impress the client and earn the boss's respect. This means their health and studies will definitely be affected. And who knows, under the temptation of money, when alcohol takes control, they might lose even more, or even commit illegal acts unintentionally.

Clearly, part-time work is a real need, and the benefits of part-time work for students are difficult to quantify. However, for such work to be truly meaningful, they should choose jobs closely related to their field of study, such as working at a computer repair shop if studying information technology; working as a contributor for a newspaper if majoring in journalism; or tutoring if majoring in education. Only then will they accumulate work experience for after graduation. If they take jobs outside their field, they may only solve immediate financial difficulties.

Canh Nam - Thanh Cuong